"God Hates America"

[oceanscape]

I just saw a documentary over here in England about the Westboro Baptist Church. There is information over at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Westboro_Baptist_Church or http://www.godhatesamerica.com

It absolutely horrified me. I don't think I have ever been so disgusted about people before in my entire life. They were genuinely PLEASED about 9/11, Katrina and dying soldiers in Iraq. Their poor children were being led to believe this was normal and for the best.

I was just wondering if anything was being done about this in the US? Having said that, I guess there isn't anything which could be done, but I am still in shock at how they get away with this.

 

[DawnCt1]

They are absolutely condemned and ignored. There are motorcycle riders that protect the funerals of our brave fallen soldiers from these nutcases. They form a shield around the mourners and when the nutcases raise their voices, the cyclists gun their engines. I think they call themselves, the Patriot Riders. They do not represent any church but themselves. I almost think that their goal is to provoke a confrontation so that they can sue.

 

[JoyG]

April Fools?

I'm pretty sure the Bible doesn't mention "America" specifically as quoted by that church's site.

ETA: oops, I guess they are for real (I didn't read the name carefully). This is Phelps' group right? I don't give them any credence whatsoever.

 

[eclectics]

They are ignorant, vile, hate mongers and no sane American sympathizes with them in any way whatsoever.

 

[freckles and boo]

They have many rights protect by the constitution but their philosophies and actions sicken most Americans. I also have heard that despite the fact that the word "Baptist" is in their name, they have been disavowed by all mainstream Baptist churches. One of their favorite tricks is to protest funerals. They started with the funerals of gay people but have more recently moved on to the funerals of service members who have died in Iraq and Afghanistan. Many states have initiated legislation to try to stop this type of protesting but the Westboro nuts are counting on winning lawsuits and large settlements based on the idea that these new laws might be unconstitutional. They are disturbed and full of hate. I don't believe in God, but they are not at all "godly" people. I have no doubt that the FBI has files and files on them and that their actions are being watched by many organizations.

 

[debster812]

Most of the members of this 'church' are all related to Fred Phelps (the alleged leader). Many of them are also attornies. They'll protest and picket these funerals, HOPING that someone assaults them, so they can then sue them.

They are the most ignorant, reprehensible group of people ever.

Fortunately, as other posters have said, most sane, rational Americans lend them absolutely no creedence, and try to ignore them.

Ugh--they just make my skin crawl.

 

[Linzybrooke]

Ugh, when we did "The Laramie Project" in college they came and picketed the performances. Luckily our campus did not allow them to picket on campus but they picked a very public part of town and did it there instead. They were rude and deceitful and made up lies about the people involved in the production (they never met or spoke with us) and the people the show is about. They were absolutely horrible. It would be interesting to be a witness to them at the gates of Heaven...

Like another poster said, they make my skin crawl.

(For those that don't know what "The Laramie Project" is and why they would picket it, it is a documentary style play about the hate murder of a gay college student that took place in Laramie, Wyoming in the 1990's. I believe it is out on film now if you have interest in seeing it.)

 

[Fitswimmer]

They are the type of group that makes being an American difficult. The First Amendment protects them and all the stupid, hateful things that they say.

Real Christians and every other thinking person denounces them and wishes heartily that they would just GO AWAY.