Westboro Baptist Church and the Pope's Visit to the United States

[HolyWhiteKnight]

I just noticed on the Westboro Baptist Church website (www.godhatesfags.com) that they plan on “protesting” at every major stop that the Pope makes on his journey in the United States. They plan to protest at the White House, outside the Catholic University of America, St. Joseph’s Seminary, and even during Mass at the Nationals’ Stadium and Yankee Stadium.

What do you think about this? I hope and pray that our Holy Father will have a safe and pleasant trip in the United States.

HolyWhiteKnight

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

As much as I detest everything those people stand for, they have a right to protest. I’m sure the pope is aware that speaking out is an American tradition and he’ll handle it well.

 

[YADA]

Well, would not the Westboro Baptist Church be “protestants” by definition? They are just being who they are and will be seen for what they are …

Please loose no sleep over this, Jesus said when they persecute you for my sake … [a loose para phrase] You get the drift …

The Holy Father will lovingly go about spreading the Gospel message, he, too, will be seen and known for the man of Christ that he is …

 

[Harmony1988]

Yea and them protesting really is going to gain them converts

 

[Catholic29]

This should really expose them to the rest of the world for what their all about.

 

[ChristIsTheWay]

Wow, these people are so full of hate that it makes one really sad for them. They are definitely in need of our prayers.

 

[ChristIsTheWay]

This should really expose them to the rest of the world for what their all about.

I think they exposed themselves for what they really are a long time ago. This does give the Holy Father the perfect opportunity to show the world what Christian love really is, not the hate these misguided fanatics peddle.

 

[DL82]

I won’t go to their site to read the story, as I don’t want to contribute to their hit counters or web advertising revenues.

What, if any, justification do these [insert own adjectives] give for protesting against the Holy Father? Does the Catholic Church encourage homosexual sex? Does the Catholic Church promote any kind of moral laxity? No.

I suppose this comes down to the fact that Westboro don’t want to see people saved, they just want to see everybody else burn in hell. While Westboro take this to extremes, the problem with their theology lies at the heart of 5-point Calvinism (total depravity, unmerited sanctification, limited atonement, irresistible grace, predestination). Believing that God is just in creating some (most) people with the express purpose of sending them to hell, and worshipping the ‘love’ of such a God, twists the nature of the human spirit and the Spirit of Love itself. That’s why there are very few, even among radical fundamentalist protestants, who would call themselves 5 point Calvinists today. It’s such a blatant error it barely needs refuting.

 

[ChristIsTheWay]

I won’t go to their site to read the story, as I don’t want to contribute to their hit counters or web advertising revenues.

What, if any, justification do these [insert own adjectives] give for protesting against the Holy Father? Does the Catholic Church encourage homosexual sex? Does the Catholic Church promote any kind of moral laxity? No.

I couldn’t help myself, I just had to see what new hate they were spewing. Basically, it actually isn’t all that different from like-minded anti-Catholic fundamentalists, that is, the Catholic Church is the whore of something or other, the Pope is the antichrist or some nonsense, the Church is a big pedophile organization, and other blatant falsehoods. These people are so full of hate.

 

[Genesis315]

Maybe going to these events will make their hearts soften and the scales fall from their eyes…hey, anything is possible with God

 

[Aragorn1]

You don’t even have to click on the link to see that they’re full of hate (and woefully uninstructed in basic theology): just look at the title! “GodHatesFags”??? And since when does God hate anyone???

 

[xmydreamsfadex]

i thought they were sued and was forced to stop their protests? maybe i read the article wrong but i thought i read that somewhere.

 

[jc-servant]

I’m not worried about protests even getting close to the Holy Father. Since even Catholics have to go through their diocese to get tickets to the public events, these people don’t have a chance of getting inside. The Secret Service is coordinating the protection, so those protesting at better mind their Ps and Qs. The Service has no sense of humor and it is not like dealing with other law enforcement. When I was in law enforcement worked with them on Presidential protection and some other VIP protection and it is no joke.

On one occasion a clearly marked news chopper invaded the closed airspace when Pres. Reagan was already out of office adn doing an outdoor appearance. The back of a blacked out Suburban opened up and a shoulder-held missile was trained on the chopper. They had mere seconds after being warned over the radio to turn around and get out of there or face being blown away.

 

[Harmony1988]

And then us Christians wonder why some non-Christians hate us.

You don’t promote peace by running with ‘Godhatesfags’ - funny thing is to ask them to explain it scripturally.

 

[Muzhik]

You don’t even have to click on the link to see that they’re full of hate (and woefully uninstructed in basic theology): just look at the title! “GodHatesFags”??? And since when does God hate anyone???

When I lived in Topeka and Fred Phelps was just getting started, there was a T-Shirt that showed lightning striking someone with a “God Hates Fags” sign with the caption, “God Love Everyone… but He ain’t too fond of Fred!”

As for lawsuits, they were sued after protesting at the funeral of a soldier who died in Iraq. It’s what got states setting up laws limiting where protests can occur around funerals.

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[Dale_M]

Westboro Baptist is facing a cash crunch which might prevent them from protesting the Pope, at least as much as planned.

A controversial church that demonstrates at soldiers’ funerals may soon have a lien placed on its church building after losing a civil suit.

Suzanne Collins reports the father of a Maryland Marine says he sued the Westboro Baptist Church to prevent any other grieving military family from hearing its hateful rhetoric. The Topeka, Kan. church claims soldier deaths are due to God’s wrath over homosexuality. Snyder won a $5 million judgment against the church.

“The only way they’re gonna stop is hit 'em where it hurts, in the wallet,” said Albert Snyder, the soldier’s father.

Now a judge has refused to let Westboro Church hold off on paying that judgment while it appeals the jury’s ruling.

If it doesn’t turn over the money by May 5, a lien will be placed on the church building, an office owned by the church and two daughters of pastor Fred Phelps must post cash from their bank accounts.

wjz.com/local/westboro.lien.church.2.692125.html

 

[Nohome]

Think about this for a minute. Does anyone take Fred Phelps seriously? That is, other than Fred Phelps?

Let the man protest. I’ve seen the crowds that show up for the Pope, this tiny group will be invisible. Camera crews won’t be able to get near them and Phelps and Company will see nothing but the backs of the faithful (who are trying to catch a glimpse of the Pope.

Even Phelps doesn’t have delusions this grand, he isn’t trying to defame the Pope, he trying to gain a little notoriety for himself.

Nohome

BTW, I recently saw a funny video where an Australian comedy troupe had a little fun with Phelps and his clan. A man posing as a reporter started interviewing a church member. Eventually the reporter says he’s gay and asks the guy if they can go out alone and get to know each other better. In the end, the church members are running, chased by this “fag” reporter.

 

[Phemie]

Westboro Baptist is facing a cash crunch which might prevent them from protesting the Pope, at least as much as planned.

If it doesn’t turn over the money by May 5, a lien will be placed on the church building, an office owned by the church and two daughters of pastor Fred Phelps must post cash from their bank accounts.

For a minute there I read that they were placing a lien on Phelp’s two daughters. Thought that was a bit much even if he does owe $5,000,000.

 

[Muzhik]

For a minute there I read that they were placing a lien on Phelp’s two daughters. Thought that was a bit much even if he does owe $5,000,000.

Huh. Maybe Kansas is re-thinking this whole “Free-State” position.

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[PetersKeys]

I just noticed on the Westboro Baptist Church website (www.godhatesfags.com) that they plan on “protesting” at every major stop that the Pope makes on his journey in the United States. They plan to protest at the White House, outside the Catholic University of America, St. Joseph’s Seminary, and even during Mass at the Nationals’ Stadium and Yankee Stadium.

What do you think about this? I hope and pray that our Holy Father will have a safe and pleasant trip in the United States.

HolyWhiteKnight

Can the Pope issue a Bull on them to ban these heretics from the grounds?

It kinda reminds me when that heretic Ian Paisley went to a conference to disturb JPII’s speech one time in parilment and they had to kick him out.

youtube.com/watch?v=-gdREMz_w9I