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Group Plans To Picket Va. Tech Funerals (Phelps' Phreaks)
CBS News ^ | April 18, 2007 | David Miller

Posted on 04/18/2007 9:28:04 PM PDT by El Conservador

he families of those killed in the Virginia Tech massacre may not be able to grieve in peace at the funerals of those they lost. An anti-gay religious group known for protesting at the funerals of American soldiers killed in Iraq is planning on appearing at services for those killed on Monday as well.

The Topeka, Kan.-based Westboro Baptist Church (WBC), which is not affiliated with any national Baptist organization, announced plans to protest at victims’ funerals only hours after 32 people were killed in the worst mass shooting in U.S. history. They also may protest at other events on the Virginia Tech campus.

The organization, founded and led by Fred Phelps, believes the United States has condemned itself to destruction by accepting homosexuality and other “sins of the flesh.” Phelps’ daughter, Shirley Phelps-Roper, said the Virginia Tech teachers and students who died on Monday brought their fate upon themselves by not being true Christians.

“The evidence is they were not Christian. God does not do that to his servants,” Phelps-Roper said. “You don’t need to look any further for evidence those people are in hell.”

Cho Seung-Hui, the Virginia Tech student responsible for the killings who took his own life after the shootings, was sent by God to punish those he killed, and America as a whole, for moral decline, said Phelps-Roper, while adding that she believes Cho is also in hell for violating God’s commandment to not kill.

“He is in hell,” Phelps-Roper said. “But he was also fulfilling the word of God.”

Because of its virulent anti-gay message and condemnation of Catholics, Jews and other groups, the WBC has been classified as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center and is monitored by the Anti-Defamation League.

Curtis Dahn, the president of Virginia Tech’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Alliance, said he reacted with immediate disgust upon hearing of the WBC's plans. “Thirty-three people are dead and they’re using people’s deaths and people’s grief to further their own agenda and it’s just disgusting,” he said.

Dahn was friends with Ryan Clark, a resident assistant in Ambler Johnson Hall, who was among the first people killed on Monday. He said he is working with other university leaders and officials to form a response to the WBC. Ideally, he said, the funerals will be nothing more than a chance for family and friends to mourn in peace.

“Part of it is that I don’t want the families to be affected by this at all,” he said. “I don’t even want the funerals’ locations to be public knowledge. I don’t want a protest, I don’t want a counter-protest. I want people to be able to grieve and have what they want, not be made into public displays and mockeries.”

Dahn and others may have the law on their side. In 2006, in response to protests at the funerals of dead U.S. soldiers, Virginia enacted a law that added funerals and memorial services to the state’s disorderly conduct statute. Other states have adopted similar measures to allow police to keep WBC protesters out of earshot.

By David Miller © MMVII, CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.


TOPICS: Front Page News; News/Current Events; US: Kansas; US: Virginia
KEYWORDS: fredphelps; phelps; vatech; vtech
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To: John 6.66=Mark of the Beast?

The Phelp’s time is coming. They just lost a lawsuit for protesting a Marine funeral and have to pay a fine. It looks like their position is flawed.

Here is a warning to them from God’s Word which can work against those who abuse His Word like these charlatans do:

Proverbs 12:

12Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,
but those who hate to be rebuked are stupid.
2The good obtain favour from the Lord,
but those who devise evil he condemns.
3No one finds security by wickedness,
but the root of the righteous will never be moved.
4A good wife is the crown of her husband,
but she who brings shame is like rottenness in his bones.
5The thoughts of the righteous are just;
the advice of the wicked is treacherous.
6The words of the wicked are a deadly ambush,
but the speech of the upright delivers them.
7The wicked are overthrown and are no more,
but the house of the righteous will stand.
8One is commended for good sense,
but a perverse mind is despised.
9Better to be despised and have a servant,
than to be self-important and lack food.
10The righteous know the needs of their animals,
but the mercy of the wicked is cruel.
11Those who till their land will have plenty of food,
but those who follow worthless pursuits have no sense.
12The wicked covet the proceeds of wickedness,*
but the root of the righteous bears fruit.
13The evil are ensnared by the transgression of their lips,
but the righteous escape from trouble.
14From the fruit of the mouth one is filled with good things,
and manual labour has its reward.
15Fools think their own way is right,
but the wise listen to advice.
16Fools show their anger at once,
but the prudent ignore an insult.
17Whoever speaks the truth gives honest evidence,
but a false witness speaks deceitfully.
18Rash words are like sword thrusts,
but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
19Truthful lips endure for ever,
but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.
20Deceit is in the mind of those who plan evil,
but those who counsel peace have joy.
21No harm happens to the righteous,
but the wicked are filled with trouble.
22Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord,
but those who act faithfully are his delight.
23One who is clever conceals knowledge,
but the mind of a fool* broadcasts folly.
24The hand of the diligent will rule,
while the lazy will be put to forced labour.
25Anxiety weighs down the human heart,
but a good word cheers it up.
26The righteous gives good advice to friends,*
but the way of the wicked leads astray.
27The lazy do not roast* their game,
but the diligent obtain precious wealth.*
28In the path of righteousness there is life,
in walking its path there is no death.


61 posted on 04/19/2007 7:02:06 AM PDT by DarthVader (Conservatives aren't always right , but Liberals are almost always wrong.)
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To: stephenjohnbanker
Methinks we need an all out fistfight.

WBC is doing the Devil's work.

They wish to incite you to anger, hoping you'll physically attack them.

Then they sue you for civil damages.

This has happened many times in the past. But not so much any more as folks have gotten wise to their MO.

62 posted on 04/19/2007 7:02:21 AM PDT by upchuck (A living, breathing example of the Peter Principle. Oh, forgetful, too :)
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To: GovernmentShrinker

It’s absurd because many people of the early Church died at the hands of persecutors. Some of them were sainted. They died untimely deaths, but I guess these pseudo-Baptists think they weren’t Christian because God wouldn’t let it happen.


63 posted on 04/19/2007 7:02:52 AM PDT by the OlLine Rebel (Common sense is an uncommon virtue.)
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.


64 posted on 04/19/2007 7:03:42 AM PDT by firewalk
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Comment #65 Removed by Moderator

To: The Spirit Of Allegiance

Fred Phelps the Viper: Clues to What’s Driving Him-Algore?

Maybe that global warming had melted his brain (if he had one).


66 posted on 04/19/2007 7:19:21 AM PDT by stbdside
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To: redgolum

No he is not sick. He is pure evil


67 posted on 04/19/2007 8:01:44 AM PDT by Kaslin (Fred Thompson for President 2008)
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To: Saundra Duffy
They wouldn’t dare!!!!!!!

Saundra, think of the VERY MOST REPELLANT thing you can think of a person doing.

Okay, now really mull it over in your mind.

Live it. Breath it. Feel it.

Now understand: Fred Phelps will do it some day.

68 posted on 04/19/2007 8:05:46 AM PDT by Lazamataz (JOIN THE NRA: https://membership.nrahq.org/forms/signup.asp)
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To: jeffers
Can somebody please show up at this funeral and just kick the living dog snot out of anybody who maliciously adds to these poor folks’ misery?

Dear sir,

I am living dog snot, and on behalf of living dog snot everywhere, I object most strenuously to being compared to Fred Phelps.

Please retract immediately, and do you have a hanky?
Humbly yours,

Laz

69 posted on 04/19/2007 8:07:41 AM PDT by Lazamataz (JOIN THE NRA: https://membership.nrahq.org/forms/signup.asp)
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To: GovernmentShrinker

“Do you suppose if somebody finally got the gumption to take out Phred in a hail of bullets as he screams “God hates fags!” at the funeral of some fine young American, that the rest of the Phelpsians would decide Phred must not have been a “true Christian” after all?”

It’s worth a try...........


70 posted on 04/19/2007 8:56:04 AM PDT by silver charm (Duncan Hunter '08)
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To: El Conservador
it just not going to happen, I’ll guarantee that
71 posted on 04/19/2007 9:06:10 AM PDT by Doogle (USAF.68-73..8th TFW Ubon Thailand..never store a threat you should have eliminated)
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To: Southack

The Phelps clan and the LSM are on the same side. The media will feign shock and outrage, but their political agenda is furthered by the portrayal of Christians that Phelps tries to put forward.


72 posted on 04/19/2007 9:21:55 AM PDT by kenth (I got tired of my last tagline...)
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To: StarCMC
Star...You know just how I feel about the WBC and that I do PGR rides. I have a feeling that Fred & Shirley are looking for some more media time...They got it when they were going to protest at the Amish girl's wakes remember? This might be their way of getting somebody to give them air time. I truly hope nobody gives it to these scummers. I can tell you they don’t always show up when they say they will either. I have waited for them a few times and they’ve been a no show. As for them going to VA Tech...they may and I hope to God they don’t. I think we have all had enough of the WBC. When in Delaware they got out of there quickly when the crowd got out of control. Maybe if they do go these mourning students will have had enough. I don’t see how they can just get onto the campus. Won’t they need a permit? I want to know why anyone even issues them permits. Just say no & let Phelps take it to court. We’ve had one or 2 families sue them when their beloved ones funeral’s were protested and the families have won. Anyone who has their family member’s funeral protested ought to sue, hit the WBC in their pockets since they love money so much. As for the out of state funerals we can just keep an eye out for what the WBC is posting & hope they do a no show. Keep people updated as to their protests... The WBC loves to see us get all upset. Lets show them we won’t be bullied into media time for them. Since they demand police protection its hard to get past the police to get at them but from what I have noticed they do seem to be afraid. I want to know why child services never goes after to them for endangering their children on these protests. As hard as it is and I know its hard... the best thing one can do with the WBC is to ignore them. Or get a huge tracker trailer truck & park it right in front of their signs. Anything to block their d@man signs. I wish I had answers but I don’t. Prayers for the victims & their families. And a big prayer the WBC does a no show....~P~
73 posted on 04/19/2007 9:31:36 AM PDT by pandoraou812 ( zero tolerance to the will of Allah ...... dilligaf? with an efg.....)
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To: TaxRelief

No proof that I know of, only speculation. However, it would still be a good sign at a counter-protest. I feel no need to be fair to Phelp and the other scum.


74 posted on 04/19/2007 10:50:09 AM PDT by darth
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To: kenth
"The Phelps clan and the LSM are on the same side. The media will feign shock and outrage, but their political agenda is furthered by the portrayal of Christians that Phelps tries to put forward."

I agree. That's why you don't see "Act Up" protesting Phelp's anti-gay comments/rants/protests, and that's why Phelp's insists on calling his organization a "Baptist Church" when it is neither Baptist nor a church.

But it means that "Baptist" gets slandered in news coverage, and it is all part of his scam that the news media *refuses* to investigate.

75 posted on 04/19/2007 11:23:21 AM PDT by Southack (Media Bias means that Castro won't be punished for Cuban war crimes against Black Angolans in Africa)
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To: upchuck

Thanks for the info.


76 posted on 04/19/2007 11:53:27 AM PDT by stephenjohnbanker ( Hunter/Thompson/Thompson/Hunter in 08! Or Rudy/Hillary if you want to murder conservatism)
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To: Kaslin
Completely agree. He is pure evil, and on the same side as the evil forces on the political left.

Someone needs to shut this guy down.......BIG time.

77 posted on 04/19/2007 12:33:37 PM PDT by ohioWfan (PRAY for our President and our troops. NOW more than ever!!.)
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To: El Conservador

These scumbags are the kind of crap that you wipe of the bottom of your boots. While they have been doing this to the families of fallen war fighters right along, I see they are branching out. Very sad. Let’s pray something/someone stops these bastards.


78 posted on 04/19/2007 12:37:53 PM PDT by jmaroneps37 (The Islamists plans to kill us and the Democrats are helping them.)
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To: El Conservador
Again? Ideologues...


79 posted on 04/19/2007 2:17:41 PM PDT by rdb3 (There's no place like 127.0.0.1 (Get well Snowman!))
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To: El Conservador

One of these days, these folks are going to learn about payback. In spades.


80 posted on 04/19/2007 4:01:11 PM PDT by George W. Bush
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