Anti-gay church protests at soldiers' funerals

[Phlegm]

From Associated Press:

SMYRNA, Tenn. - Members of a church say God is punishing American soldiers for defending a country that harbors gays, and they brought their anti-gay message to the funerals Saturday of two Tennessee soldiers killed in Iraq.

The church members were met with scorn from local residents. They chased the church members cars’ down a highway, waving flags and screaming “God bless America.”

“My husband is over there, so I’m here to show my support,” 41-year-old Connie Ditmore said as she waved and American flag and as tears came to her eyes. “To do this at a funeral is disrespectful of a family, no matter what your beliefs are.”

The Rev. Fred Phelps, founder of Westboro Baptist in Kansas, contends that American soldiers are being killed in Iraq as vengeance from God for protecting a country that harbors gays. The church, which is not affiliated with a larger denomination, is made up mostly of Phelps’ children, grandchildren and in-laws.

The church members carried signs and shouted things such as “God hates fags” and “God hates you.”

About 10 church members protested near Smyrna United Methodist Church and nearly 20 stood outside the National Guard Armory in Ashland City. Members have demonstrated at other soldier funerals across the nation.

The funerals were for Staff Sgt. Asbury Fred Hawn II, 35, in Smyrna and Spc. Gary Reese Jr., 22, in Ashland City. Both were members of the Tennessee National Guard.

Hundreds of Smyrna and Ashland City residents and families of other soldiers turned out at both sites to counter the message the Westboro Baptist members brought.

So many counterdemonstrators were gathered in Ashland City that police, sheriff’s deputies and state troopers were brought in to control traffic and protect the protesters.

The church members held protesting permits, and counterprotesters in Smyrna turned their backs to Westboro Baptist members until time expired on the protest permits.

“If they were protesting the government, I might even join them,” Danny Cotton, 56, said amid cries of “get out of our town” and “get out of our country.”

“But for them to come during the worst time for this family — it’s just wrong.”

[Narrock]

“But for them to come during the worst time for this family — it’s just wrong.”

Yup, that is wrong. Very insensitive.

[Martrae]

There are also wackjobs outside Walter Reed blocking the doors with coffins and annoying the wounded soldiers there.

Whatever happened to protesting the war but supporting the soldiers?

[labbats]

There are also wackjobs outside Walter Reed blocking the doors with coffins and annoying the wounded soldiers there.

Whatever happened to protesting the war but supporting the soldiers?

You mean like spitting in their faces as they came off the planes in Vietnam? It's always been this way.

[Jennay]

I fucking hate people.

[Jennay]

P.S.

I looked up this church and already called and left a message on their answering machine. Not sure if I can get in trouble for it but oh well.

SMYRNA FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, 615-459-2826
300 SAM HAGER STREET, SMYRNA TN 37167

[Jimmy Durante]

The Rev. Fred Phelps, founder of Westboro Baptist in Kansas

About 10 church members protested near Smyrna United Methodist Church

I apologize if I'm somehow reading you wrong, but I believe it was Westboro Baptist that you wanted to leave a message with?

[brinstar]

yay christianity

[Haylo]

The church, which is not affiliated with a larger denomination, is made up mostly of Phelps’ children, grandchildren and in-laws.

I'm sorry but all I can picture with that line is some inbred group of hillbillies, also currently running through my mind is the children's song "I'm my own grandpa"

[Yamori]

The Rev. Fred Phelps, founder of Westboro Baptist in Kansas

About 10 church members protested near Smyrna United Methodist Church

I apologize if I'm somehow reading you wrong, but I believe it was Westboro Baptist that you wanted to leave a message with?

Bahahahahahaha!

That makes a great image.

[Narrock]

The United Methodist Church is accepting of gays, and they even accept gay pastoral staff.

[Tuggan]

christians acting like christians and accepting everyone? bullshit.

[Narrock]

christians acting like christians and accepting everyone? bullshit.

Sodom and Gomorrah were burned to the ground by God because of the rampant homosexuality going on in those two cities. The UMC is blasphemous and laughing in the face of God. STFU you twerp. If you ever post anything of substance it will be a truly momentous occaision.

[Tuggan]

mindia. love the sinner, hate the sin. youre the most miserable pathetic excuse for a christian ive ever encountered, and ive met some shitty christians. its like finawin posted somewhere, hes never read a bible but hes 10x the christian you claim to be.

[mofish]

You arent just a miserable excuse for a christian mindia, youre a miserable excuse for a human being. Congrats!

[Narrock]

mindia. love the sinner, hate the sin. youre the most miserable pathetic excuse for a christian ive ever encountered, and ive met some shitty christians. its like finawin posted somewhere, hes never read a bible but hes 10x the christian you claim to be.

You're so full of shit. You don't know anything about Christianity, nor do you even like it or believe in it. You have no room to talk.

[Narrock]

You arent just a miserable excuse for a christian mindia, youre a miserable excuse for a human being. Congrats!

You are piece of Seriously. If you died in this hurricane I would throw a party, because you are that much of an asshole. I hope God has mercy on your soul, because I wouldn't.

[KILL]

[Narrock]

I'll shut up when the smart-asses do.

[Tuggan]

mindia. love the sinner, hate the sin. youre the most miserable pathetic excuse for a christian ive ever encountered, and ive met some shitty christians. its like finawin posted somewhere, hes never read a bible but hes 10x the christian you claim to be.

You're so full of shit. You don't know anything about Christianity, nor do you even like it or believe in it. You have no room to talk.

You dont know jack shit about me fool. Dont assume anything, the only thing you got right was I dont believe in the whole 'god' thing. I was raised by rather devout Catholics, church every single sunday morning, twice on Easter and Christmas, I went to catechism, even did all my bible studies like a good little boy. Up until I was about 18 I put a great deal of thought into religion, considered several different christian denominations, even completely different religions. Dont talk to down to me like you know shit about me. If anything my grasp of religion is far and beyond yours.

[mofish]

mindia. love the sinner, hate the sin. youre the most miserable pathetic excuse for a christian ive ever encountered, and ive met some shitty christians. its like finawin posted somewhere, hes never read a bible but hes 10x the christian you claim to be.

You're so full of shit. You don't know anything about Christianity, nor do you even like it or believe in it. You have no room to talk.

You dont know jack shit about me fool. Dont assume anything, the only thing you got right was I dont believe in the whole 'god' thing. I was raised by rather devout Catholics, church every single sunday morning, twice on Easter and Christmas, I went to catechism, even did all my bible studies like a good little boy. Up until I was about 18 I put a great deal of thought into religion, considered several different christian denominations, even completely different religions. Dont talk to down to me like you know shit about me. If anything my grasp of religion is far and beyond yours.

[KILL]

I'll shut up when the smart-asses do.

somehow, i dont see that happening

[DangerPaul]

Sodom and Gomorrah were burned to the ground by God because of the rampant homosexuality going on in those two cities.

Homosexuality bad, incest good. got it

[Narrock]

mindia. love the sinner, hate the sin. youre the most miserable pathetic excuse for a christian ive ever encountered, and ive met some shitty christians. its like finawin posted somewhere, hes never read a bible but hes 10x the christian you claim to be.

You're so full of shit. You don't know anything about Christianity, nor do you even like it or believe in it. You have no room to talk.

You dont know jack shit about me fool. Dont assume anything, the only thing you got right was I dont believe in the whole 'god' thing. I was raised by rather devout Catholics, church every single sunday morning, twice on Easter and Christmas, I went to catechism, even did all my bible studies like a good little boy. Up until I was about 18 I put a great deal of thought into religion, considered several different christian denominations, even completely different religions. Dont talk to down to me like you know shit about me. If anything my grasp of religion is far and beyond yours.

LOL right. Even if you did go to Bible study like you claim when you were a good little boy how did you become so retarded all of a sudden at the age of 18?

Your grasp of religion is about as deep as Mofish's... and that ain't much.

[Tuggan]

i'll take a page from your book