Controversial church to protest in township

JOE MCLAUGHLIN/Gannett New Jersey)

JOE MCLAUGHLIN/Gannett New Jersey)

Members of the controversial Westboro Baptist Church, based in in Topeka, Kan., plan to protest at Cherry Hill High School East and the USCJ 2009 Biennial Convention on Monday, December 7.

The church has gained national notoriety in recent years for its picket lines at soldiers' funerals to present its message that their deaths are God's punishment for Americans' tolerance of homosexuality.

According to a press release, the group will protest at Cherry Hill HS East from 7:30 a.m. to 8 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 7.

The group's picketing schedule also states that protestors will be outside of the Crowne Plaza Hotel from 8:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 7 to protest the International Biennial Convention for The United Synagogue for Conservative Judaism (USCJ).

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28 Responses to “Controversial church to protest in township”

  1. MatthewCampana  on December 1st, 2009

    This makes me sick. I am a Christian. I follow the teachings of Christ. NOWHERE does he say to have hate towards your fellow brothers and sisters for any reason. In fact the message of Christ is one of love and peace.

    The New Testament says very clearly 1 Peter 4:8-10, “And Above All Things Have Fervent Love For One Another”

    This verse is not exclusive to ANY group of people.

    May I ask how this is going to show ANYONE love? I’m serious I want to know.

    Reply

    • east grad  on December 2nd, 2009

      THANK YOU.

      Reply

    • ppn512  on December 2nd, 2009

      i am also a Christian and this angers me
      We need to show Gods love not to hat others
      they are no doing a good job at showings Gods love
      and I apologize to those who are offended by this
      as i am too.
      I am praying that they are authentic with what they do

      Reply

  2. sherry  on December 1st, 2009

    Westboro comes to preach hate which can only unite the rest of us to show love for all our brothers and sisters. It is not the goal they hope for but as each person denounces what Westboro stands for we become better people and spread the true word of God.

    Reply

  3. random2d3  on December 2nd, 2009

    Prostest yes Protest against those who justify sin yes Protest by using hate absolutely wrong. They are going about everything wrong if only they knew they could protest make there point without hatred. Preaching God’s word and pointing out sin such as homosexuality and that God does not approve they should do but not with hate. There is no need for fag signs they simpy should put God does not approve of homosexualty and have signs of God’s commandments but not the way they are doing it such as fag signs. The signs should state homoesexuality is a sin. “Woe to he who calls good evil and evil good” Wich most people believe its ok to lie or steal manipulate under certain conditions which it is not ok. These people need guidence. I pity there minister for using hate rather than stating God’s word. He probably just believes hate gets more attention but what they dont understand is that using hate hurts the reputation of the rightous christians and makes us look like them. When you use evil, evil uses you :( sad

    Reply

  4. Julia Hays  on December 2nd, 2009

    There also now seems to be residents organizing counter protesting efforts, this new Facebook group being an example: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?v=wall&gid=214656452473. Do any of you plan to protest with or against the WBC group?

    Reply

    • MattCampana  on December 2nd, 2009

      I will be there with a sign that has the verse,

      John 3:17

      “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him”

      Seriously be there.

      Reply

  5. Jesse  on December 2nd, 2009

    I really think this church is worse than the KKK or the Nazi and that they are overusing there freedom of speech like seriously I have not seen one thing in the bible or the holy testament that denies the rights of gay relationships I’m only 13 but ill stand up for whats right and god help there souls they don’t have the right to say that homosexuals don’t belong on our planet if they didn’t I’m pretty sure god would of prevented that

    p.s I am in this event that disproves of these people it would be helpful if some of you join everyone needs to stand up for what is right and these protesters are far away from right.
    http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/event.php?eid=208302621712#wall_posts

    Reply

  6. hipbunnie103  on December 2nd, 2009

    This is horrible. Im trying to stop this with my friends!

    Reply

  7. RevBookburn  on December 2nd, 2009

    The Taliban is so proud that their legacy is extended to the US through bigoted groups who are obsessed with fetuses, hatred of gays, and stand for a theocratic dictatorship. Like Pastor Ted Haggard (sex and meth with gay male prostitutes, and Republican Senator Larry Craig (sex with male strangers in public rest rooms), these church people probably have their own dirty secrets that they’re desperate to hide. Rev. Bookburn – Radio Volta

    Reply

  8. sevenperfumes  on December 2nd, 2009

    This is what they want: an audience. I say that no one should show up. It would only incite them, and in their sick, twisted mind they’ll believe they are stirring something up. Silence and apathy on our parts is a far stronger message, don’t you think?. They give Christians, Humans and people from Kansas a bad name, and they should be completely ignored.

    Reply

    • arrgy  on December 2nd, 2009

      Is there school that day? Or is it one of the 1000 days teachers get off. If it is school day, just send the unruly kids out of class to go beat them all up, I’m sure they would love it. Oh wait no unruly kids go to east..they all go to west, at least that’s what the east parents think.

      Reply

  9. NClivin  on December 2nd, 2009

    Be very careful here. Do not meet hate with hate. Voice your opinion but make sure you do not become what you don’t agree with.

    Reply

  10. nancyborrell  on December 2nd, 2009

    “Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with eve or insult with insult, but with blessings, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessings. “For Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech. He must turn from evil and do good: he must seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” 1 Peter 3:10

    Reply

  11. jondoe  on December 2nd, 2009

    How can anyone have such a twisted view of religion that it turns into this? Doesn’t matter what you believe, this is just wrong and completely f-ed up, simple as that.

    Reply

  12. random2d3  on December 2nd, 2009

    I also believe the best thing to do would be to ignore them. Answering there twisted truth with another protest would only cause things to be worse and may lead to violence. It is true that the bible is clearly against homosexuality but these people are full of hate they should be trying get others to repent and to help them and lead them to God. Please do not answer there protest with another protest it will only make things worse then the media will get involved and amplify the situation last thing we want are people getting hurt or killed.

    Reply

  13. Richard R. LaMarra  on December 2nd, 2009

    As a Christian, I would not stand to close to these protesters for fear of being hit by lightning.

    It would be good just to remember Jesus lived and died a devout Jew.

    Reply

  14. Marcia  on December 3rd, 2009

    The bible also forbids the eating of pork & shellfish with a penalty of stoning ( yet, you will notice, no one was actually ever stoned for these acts in the bible). As a kosher “fag” that shows compassion & love for my fellow man, I think I need not worry about these folks.

    Reply

    • ppn512  on December 3rd, 2009

      well it was forbidden in the old testament as a sacrifice
      but Jesus is our sacrifice and thats why we do not sacrifice animals anymore or not eat them

      Reply

  15. molly  on December 3rd, 2009

    I would like to know the type of people that this group finds “acceptable”! I agree…ignore them.

    Reply

  16. a sane Christian  on December 3rd, 2009

    These extremists makes the rest of Christianity look bad… for all the Bible quotes they’ve got, they don’t really seem to be reading he book: if they were, they might’ve picked up on the message that God loves all people, regardless of creed, sexuality, or any other circumstance. It’s pathetic; hopefully the students of Cherry Hill HS won’t be convinced that all Christians are as ignorant or hateful as this.

    Reply

    • EyesofSilver  on December 7th, 2009

      Right you are – from outside of your bubble, these freaks are the face of modern Christianity, and its message of “Hate Thy Neighbor”. My question to those like you who claim to be “good Christians” is: What EXACTLY are YOU going to do about them hijacking your religion in EXACTLY the same manner as Al Queda hijacks Islam?

      CHHSW ‘79

      Reply

  17. random2d3  on December 5th, 2009

    As said in the my original post I dont agree eithe they need guidance but as a christian there are a couple post on here that dont make since to me but I might mis-interrupting them.

    Richard R. LaMarra on December 2nd, 2009
    As a Christian, I would not stand to close to these protesters for fear of being hit by lightning. It would be good just to remember Jesus lived and died a devout Jew.

    Random2d3 (me speaking now) That doesnt make since to As a christian we also believe in the resurection of christ.
    Here is the next post that doesnt make since to me

    . Marcia on December 3rd, 2009
    The bible also forbids the eating of pork & shellfish with a penalty of stoning ( yet, you will notice, no one was actually ever stoned for these acts in the bible). As a kosher “fag” that shows compassion & love for my fellow man, I think I need not worry about these folks.

    Random2d3 (me speaking now) The protestors obviously were out of line but homosexuality is a sin we cant deny that but we should be hate crazed people like the protestors and it is not just noted in the old testament it is also noted as a sin in the new testament Romans 1:18-32, Corinthians 6:9-11 Timothy 1:9-11. I’m dont agree with the protestors but homosexuality is a sin I wont deny that being a sin would bring us to Isaiah 5:20 Woe to he who calls evil good and good evil…
    Still the protestors definitly were screwed up.

    Reply

    • EyesofSilver  on December 7th, 2009

      { this post is more proof that fundie freaks such as
      random2d3 are functionally illiterate, in addition to being brainwashed }

      Reply

    • random2d3  on January 15th, 2010

      man did i make a typo I put should instead of SHOULDN’T lol we shouldnt be hate crazed people. No wonder I was called illiterate and brainwashed. I just think we should acknowedge it is a sin but not chase down and publicy persacute people.

      Reply

  18. Benjamin J. "Joe" Browning  on December 6th, 2009

    If you truly desire to bring to a end the antics of the Westboro Baptist Church. Then please read the following:

    I have been following the WBC going on twelve plus years. I have read about, seen, and heard Pickets, Protesters, Police, Papers, Preachers, Fire Departments, Relatives, Motorcycle Clubs, Talk Show Host, Talk Radio Hosts, Television News Commentators, Various Independent Countries and their Governments, Attorneys Filing Lawsuits, Legislatures Writing and Passing New Laws, Branches of Our Military and on, and on, and on, and on, and on. All of them attempting to stop the Westboro Baptist Church from continuing with their vile and cruel action.

    HOWEVER, FOR ALL PRACTICAL PURPOSES, ALL HAVE FAILED AND WILL CONTINUE TO FAIL!! NO ACTION YOU UNDERTAKE WILL STOP THEM, EXCEPT FOR ONE!!

    The one thing that will stop them is quite simple and requires very little effort to accomplish. You need to simply “IGNORE THEM”!!! I repeat “IGNORE THEM”!!! One more time, “IGNORE THEM”!!Again “IGNORE THEM”!!

    Expounding on this. #1Do not acknowledge them #2 Do not protest. #3 Do not have the Police or Fire Department around their protests. #4 You must consider and think of them as invisible.#5 Do not have your newspapers write articles about them.#6 Do not talk to them. #7 Do not have the Patriot Guard Riders attend. #8 Do not attempt in any way to stop them! #9 Do not give them one bit of publicity, before, during or after their protests. #10 As far as you are concerned the Westboro Baptist Church does not exist.#11 Do not drive by them! #12 Do not curse or throw things at them. #13 IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU ABSOLUTELY DO NOTHING TO ACKNOWLEDGE THEM!!

    The one thing Westboro Baptist Church Members need and must have is to be acknowledged. One only needs to look at the way they have changed their message in order to get more publicity! The old message of God Hates people, areas, or states, or countries was getting boring. They were not reaching the population. In order to keep at the center of attention! They changed their message. So now beside the standard “God Hates ______!(Fill in the blank.), The WBC added “God Hates Jews!” or something new, again fill in the Blanks. Thus getting more comments and more acknowledgement and more publicity.

    IF EVERYONE IGNORES THEM, THEY WILL LEAVE QUICKLY AND WILL NEVER RETURN!! IF YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THEM, THEY WILL STAY FOR LONGER PERIODS AND THEY WILL ALWAYS COME BACK!!

    Respectfully,
    Benjamin J. “Joe” Browning

    Reply

  19. Steve Lubetkin  on December 7th, 2009

    I’m surprised that no one has cross-posted this excellent excerpt of the West Wing in which President Jeb Bartlett demolishes one of these hate mongers by quoting Scripture back at her.

    Reply


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