Tagged: Westboro Baptist Church RSS

  • Students stage protest against demonstrators 

    by Julia Hays on December 8th, 2009 | Comment

    Faye Murman/Courier-Post

    By JANE ROH Courier-Post Staff

    Six members of the Topeka-based Westboro Baptist Church faced off with about 100 students and parents at Cherry Hill East High School before the start of the school Monday.

    "We got here probably around 7:10," said Forest Steinberg, a 17-year-old at Moorestown High. About 15 of her classmates got notes [...]

     
    • Benjamin J. "Joe" Browning 11:37 pm on December 8, 2009 Permalink | Reply

      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 actions.

      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. #1 Do 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 Do not write letters to your local Newspaper about them. #14 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.), they added “God Hates Jews!”. 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

      • Tim Carroll 12:29 am on December 9, 2009 Permalink | Reply

        Mr. Browning,
        I completely agree. The only thing that really keeps these people going is the attention. I do, however feel that the recent movement to donate money to certain charities in response to the WBC’s antics is a good thing. If the WBC feels strongly enough about the fundraising efforts of groups like the Matthew Shepard Foundation and the JDL, then perhaps they will think twice about advertising their hateful opinions.
        As much as I doubt this will happen, I still think that convincing people to focus energies on the fundraising efforts of worthy and needful groups cannot be bad, in and of itself.
        So, while I really cannot afford it, I give money to these groups “on behalf” of the WBC. Otherwise, I plan to sleep in again, the next time they come to my town.

      • Laura Stansell 4:35 pm on December 9, 2009 Permalink | Reply

        I don’t think we should ignore them. As a parent said in the article, “Acquiescence is tacit approval.”

        When Westborough came to out school a few weeks ago over 400 students and community members came together to counter protest. Westborough attacks so many groups that otherwise would not necessarly come together. I think that their protests actually promote tolorance by the peaceful counter protests they generate.

        In researching them I was especially touched by the Partoit riders who go to the military funerals to protect the familys from the protests. They provide a honor guard of dozens of bikers with American flags to stand between Westborough and the family.

        If Westborough comes back to San Diego I will be there amoung the counter protesters.

  • Photo gallery of this morning’s protests 

    by Julia Hays on December 7th, 2009 | Comment

    Faye Murman/Courier-Post

    Click here to read more about this morning's protests outside of Cherry Hill High School East.

    View the Courier-Post photo gallery with over 20 photos of the protests at: Protests in Cherry Hill | courierpostonline.com | Burlington, Camden and Gloucester Counties South Jersey News | Courier-Post.

     
  • Counter-protest dwarfs anti-gay, anti-Semitic church group in Cherry Hill 

    by Julia Hays on December 7th, 2009 | Comment

    Faye Murman/Courier-Post

    About 100 students and parents greeted a roving group of anti-gay, anti-Semitic protesters this morning at Cherry Hill East High School.

    The six members of the Topeka-based Westboro Baptist Church, which is led by Fred Phelps and composed almost entirely of his relatives, were confined to public property across the [...]

     
    • Amy Myers 12:21 pm on December 7, 2009 Permalink | Reply

      There was an unmentioned benefit to this hate-filled rant displayed this morning…

      A Facebook drive helped to raise over $40,000 that benefited the Matthew Shepard Foundation. I believe there were also increased donations to the ADL as well. Many in this area are not used to seeing this blatant type of hate-filled venom. Hopefully, the schools and families will explain and discuss the origins of this type of anger to their students/children. Education about other people’s beliefs is the best way to build tolerance in people. As we see, if this topic is just left to families and their close contacts, isolated and sometimes radical beliefs may result.

      Here is the link to the Matthew Shepard Foundation if you care to donate:

      http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=214656452473

  • Planned protests in Cherry Hill spark outrage 

    by Julia Hays on December 4th, 2009 | Comment

    Gannett News Service

    By JANE ROH Courier-Post Staff

    The group of Kansans who will be in town next week protesting Jews, gays, and high school students belong to the Westboro Baptist Church, a group that religious leaders, social activists and political leaders call a fringe group that specializes in hate speech.

    "There are [...]

     
    • Lee 4:44 pm on December 4, 2009 Permalink | Reply

      Just I’m case any of this is in question – I am a graduate of Cherry Hill High School East and I have yet to be eaten by my parents.

    • Amy Myers 6:44 pm on December 5, 2009 Permalink | Reply

      This same group will also be demonstrating outside All Time Low’s December 6th concert at the Electric Factory in Philadelphia. This seems to be due to the band’s rejection of intolerant behavior.

      The community has been asked not to participate in any type of counter-demonstration, or give their organization any type of acknowledgement at all. This pathetic group desires acknowledgement. They desire a confrontation. They desire press. It appears, by some accounts, that one of their motives is to provoke others into physical confrontations in order to sue. This would just help fund their cause. Though it goes against most of our emotional reactions, we should heed the advice of our school administration and past experts who have dealt with this group. Do not get into a scrap with them. Ignore them, as you would a flea.

      In lieu of actively protesting or violating school dress code standards, we the students of East should passively voice our disdain for this group and also show support for the band that they are targeting, All Time Low. Wear shirts or other markings to show support for All Time Low. Some merchandise is available at Hot Topic and other music apparel stores.

      President Franklin D. Roosevelt proclaimed “ December 7th, 1941 – a date which will live in infamy.” Besides remembering the tragedy of that date, let’s make December 7th, 2009 a date that will live in infamy at CHHSE. Say NO H8!

  • Cherry Hill Schools: ‘Anti-Semitic, anti-gay extremist group’ should be ignored 

    by Julia Hays on December 3rd, 2009 | Comment

    Cherry Hill Public Schools is asking students, staff and parents to resist engaging members of the controversial Westboro Baptist Church when the group demonstrates near the school Monday morning.

    "We expect that a small group of picketers will stand on public property for approximately [...]

     
  • Residents respond to church’s planned protest 

    by Julia Hays on December 2nd, 2009 | Comment

    Joe McLaughlin/Gannett New Jersey

    Yesterday, I posted "Controversial church to protest in township" about the planned protests by Westboro Baptist Church in Cherry Hill on Monday, Dec. 7.

    Members of the church, which is based in Kansas, have received criticism in recent years for setting up picket lines at [...]

     
  • Controversial church to protest in township 

    by Julia Hays on December 1st, 2009 | Comment

    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.

     
    • MatthewCampana 11:24 pm on December 1, 2009 Permalink | Reply

      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.

      • east grad 2:07 pm on December 2, 2009 Permalink | Reply

        THANK YOU.

      • ppn512 3:33 pm on December 2, 2009 Permalink | Reply

        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

    • sherry 11:37 pm on December 1, 2009 Permalink | Reply

      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.

    • random2d3 10:51 am on December 2, 2009 Permalink | Reply

      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

    • Julia Hays 12:42 pm on December 2, 2009 Permalink | Reply

      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?

      • MattCampana 3:46 pm on December 2, 2009 Permalink | Reply

        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.

    • Jesse 4:10 pm on December 2, 2009 Permalink | Reply

      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

    • hipbunnie103 4:28 pm on December 2, 2009 Permalink | Reply

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

    • RevBookburn 4:47 pm on December 2, 2009 Permalink | Reply

      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

    • sevenperfumes 5:59 pm on December 2, 2009 Permalink | Reply

      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.

      • arrgy 7:10 pm on December 2, 2009 Permalink | Reply

        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.

    • NClivin 7:07 pm on December 2, 2009 Permalink | Reply

      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.

    • nancyborrell 8:16 pm on December 2, 2009 Permalink | Reply

      “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

    • jondoe 8:32 pm on December 2, 2009 Permalink | Reply

      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.

    • random2d3 9:11 pm on December 2, 2009 Permalink | Reply

      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.

    • Richard R. LaMarra 11:55 pm on December 2, 2009 Permalink | Reply

      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.

    • Marcia 12:34 pm on December 3, 2009 Permalink | Reply

      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.

      • ppn512 1:20 pm on December 3, 2009 Permalink | Reply

        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

    • molly 5:52 pm on December 3, 2009 Permalink | Reply

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

    • a sane Christian 9:00 pm on December 3, 2009 Permalink | Reply

      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.

      • EyesofSilver 5:01 pm on December 7, 2009 Permalink | Reply

        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

    • random2d3 10:51 am on December 5, 2009 Permalink | Reply

      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.

      • EyesofSilver 5:16 pm on December 7, 2009 Permalink | Reply

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

      • random2d3 8:40 am on January 15, 2010 Permalink | Reply

        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.

    • Benjamin J. "Joe" Browning 10:50 pm on December 6, 2009 Permalink | Reply

      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

    • Steve Lubetkin 8:31 am on December 7, 2009 Permalink | Reply

      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.

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