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Westboro Baptist Church to Picket Funeral of 9-Year-Old Arizona Shooting Victim
But some in area are planning a counter-action to protect the grieving family from the unwelcome picketers and their slurs.
Christin Gilmer of Tucson told CNN her hometown is a "loving, peaceful community" and the prospect of a protest by the small Kansas church was a "nightmare." In response, Gilmer said she is planning an "angel action" -- a group of volunteers wearing 8-by-10-foot angel wings to visually shield mourners from the demonstrators, who typically number no more than a dozen but hold aloft offensive signs.
"We want to surround them in a nonviolent way, to say that our community is united," she said. "We're a peaceful haven."
Forty-two people have signed up to volunteer, she said.
Westboro Baptist, a small church in Topeka, pickets at funerals of military veterans and people who have died of AIDS because its members say their deaths are God's punishment for America's tolerance of homosexuality. Salon reported that a flier posted by the church on its website regarding the Tucson protest declared "God hates Catholics" -- the little girl's family is Catholic -- and "God Hates Fags." The church website also features a video with founder/pastor Fred Phelps thanking God for the deadly shootings.In Tucson, they're understandably upset about that. Some 4,500 have joined a "Show Support" Facebook page started by 20-year-old Chelsea Cohen, a University of Arizona senior. Cohen says she isn't organizing a counter-protest but rather a demonstration of silent support. "We plan on being completely silent, and we're asking people not to bring signs or make comments about the Westboro Baptist Church," she said.
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Jesus said:
“Let the dead bury the dead” – Matthew 8:22, Luke 9:60
AN AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION:
“The right of the people to bury their dead in accordance with their beliefs and traditions may not be infringed by individuals or by government authority.”
STOP WESTBORO BAPTIST CHURCH FROM PICKETING FUNERALS!
Westboro Baptist Church. They need to take Baptist and Church out of their Title as they are neither of these! Their Pastor Fred Phelps (and I use the term Pastor loosely) reminds me of Jim Jones but worse! He will have those people drinking the Cool Aide before it's all over!!! They are all very sick people!!!
January 16 2011 at 11:02 AM Report abuse Permalink +3 rate up rate down ReplyThose surrounding the family should sing the hymn Amazing Grace softly so the family can hear the beautiful sound of their fellow Americans lifting them up. It is a song of hope shared by all Christians and Americans.
January 16 2011 at 9:38 AM Report abuse Permalink +2 rate up rate down ReplyI was raised Southern Baptist and no where in our church is there a way that these protest as they call them would be allowed. Its just wrong be you a CHRISTIAN or not.They really need prayer trying my best not to judge them just pray for them .I HATE TO SEE ANYONE bust hell wide open.Funerals should be private times for family and friends to grieve.
January 16 2011 at 7:46 AM Report abuse Permalink +1 rate up rate down ReplyYes,God hates sin....including and especially the sins of Westboro NON-Baptist Church. "Blessed are those who mourn....Blessed are the poor in spirit" - Westboro knows nothing of those Christian qualities; and they are not Christians by any stretch of the imigination!
January 15 2011 at 1:44 PM Report abuse Permalink +5 rate up rate down Replyi would like to find the person that was stamping the american flag at the protest,if i was standing next to him i would have probley had to explain it to a judge,if he does not like this country ask him to leave it,we dont need his kind.he needs to rember that a lot of people have died so that he could be free in this country.god bless america
January 15 2011 at 10:50 AM Report abuse Permalink +2 rate up rate down ReplyThey picket with their children putting their well being in jeopardy. This hateful group is anything BUT Godly and religious.
January 15 2011 at 6:50 AM Report abuse Permalink +2 rate up rate down ReplyThe Westboro Baptist Church is not a true Christian Church. This is evident by the things they say and do. Only God can judge the people and their actions and lifestyle. My God Bless the child and all the others that were killed as they sleep till the Lord comes to claim them.
January 15 2011 at 6:46 AM Report abuse Permalink +1 rate up rate down ReplyThe Bible says "God is love" They seem to be putting alot of words in the mouth of God; how He hates all these people. He does hate some of the things we do, but he doesnt hate people. I can say for certain that he hates what this church is doing. What did this little girl do?
January 15 2011 at 12:47 AM Report abuse Permalink +2 rate up rate down ReplyToo bad they didn't show up to greet the cycle groups that were there to greet them. Had they confronted the cyclist, this may have been their last protest. When these guys show up things get serious. Their behaviour is what God hates!!! They are getting their reward according to the Bible and there will be no reward for them in Heaven. I'll bet they will burst the gates of hell wide open though when their hateful protesting days are over.
January 14 2011 at 2:38 PM Report abuse Permalink +4 rate up rate down ReplyI've been a Christian for 18 yrs and I make mistakes everyday but I always have to remind myself not to judge others! I can have an opinion but that's all. There are some people here proclaiming to know what God wants or what He will do to all these groups and people. I agree this church needs more bible study and less rhetoric. Not good or prudent to act like that. Be someone that says a little but listens more. We have 2 ears and 1 mouth, I wonder why!
January 15 2011 at 5:15 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
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