thedrifter
12-30-06, 03:40 PM
Marine captain's funeral protested (Wisconsin)
gmtoday ^ | 12-30-06 | ZAK MAZUR
When news spread about the death of Marine Capt. Kevin Kryst of West Bend, the community conveyed its condolences and compassion to Kryst's family and friends.
Not so the members of the Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kan.
"I am mad at the parents (of Kryst) for raising a child for the devil," said Timothy Phelps, who is related to Fred W. Phelps Sr., the preacher of the Westboro Baptist Church, whom most members of the congregation are related. "Absolutely (Kryst) is in hell."
Eight members of the congregation - dubbed a "hate group" by the Southern Poverty Law Center - came to West Bend Friday night where they held aloft placards on the corner of South Main Street and Hawthorn Drive that read: "Thank God For Dead Soldiers," "God Hates Fags," "Your Sons Are In Hell," "Thank God For IED's," "Semper Fi, Semper Fags" and more.
A small group of local teenagers protested the protester's anti-homosexual views.
The congregation makes it a point to travel all over the country and protest at the funerals of fallen U.S. soldiers.
Passengers in vehicles slowed down to shout angry expletives at the Westboro protesters; some made gestures with their middle fingers. The protesters simply sang and shouted louder in return.
Members of the Westboro Baptist Church believe the United States is a sinful nation, and therefore an enemy of god. One of their most bitter complaints about the United States is that homosexuals are allowed to live.
"The government should invoke the death penalty for being gay," said Sara Phelps, 25, and the granddaughter of Phelps Sr. She added that she felt no compassion for the Kryst family.
"Of course I don't (have compassion for them)," she said. "This is a patriotic pep rally, that is why I do not have compassion for them."
The Westboro protest elicited a counter-protest by three teenagers from West Bend and one from Slinger.
"I keep watch on them (though the Internet)," said Devin Merget, 16, of Slinger. "(Phelps Sr.) is the nation's foremost homophobe. I want to stress the importance of opposing bigots like these."
"I believe they don't know what God hates," said Ben Barker, 14, who attends West Bend West High School. "It's ridiculous to think they are representing God."
There was a police presence that kept the two groups apart and to ensure that angry words did not erupt into physical violence. It was a good thing they were there.
"I don't like these people, they are desecrating God and the United States," said Kevin Heintz who was taking a cigarette break during his shift at Domino's Pizza across the street from the Westboro protesters. "If I wasn't working right now, I'd whoop some serious (expletive)."
Rest In Peace
Ellie
gmtoday ^ | 12-30-06 | ZAK MAZUR
When news spread about the death of Marine Capt. Kevin Kryst of West Bend, the community conveyed its condolences and compassion to Kryst's family and friends.
Not so the members of the Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kan.
"I am mad at the parents (of Kryst) for raising a child for the devil," said Timothy Phelps, who is related to Fred W. Phelps Sr., the preacher of the Westboro Baptist Church, whom most members of the congregation are related. "Absolutely (Kryst) is in hell."
Eight members of the congregation - dubbed a "hate group" by the Southern Poverty Law Center - came to West Bend Friday night where they held aloft placards on the corner of South Main Street and Hawthorn Drive that read: "Thank God For Dead Soldiers," "God Hates Fags," "Your Sons Are In Hell," "Thank God For IED's," "Semper Fi, Semper Fags" and more.
A small group of local teenagers protested the protester's anti-homosexual views.
The congregation makes it a point to travel all over the country and protest at the funerals of fallen U.S. soldiers.
Passengers in vehicles slowed down to shout angry expletives at the Westboro protesters; some made gestures with their middle fingers. The protesters simply sang and shouted louder in return.
Members of the Westboro Baptist Church believe the United States is a sinful nation, and therefore an enemy of god. One of their most bitter complaints about the United States is that homosexuals are allowed to live.
"The government should invoke the death penalty for being gay," said Sara Phelps, 25, and the granddaughter of Phelps Sr. She added that she felt no compassion for the Kryst family.
"Of course I don't (have compassion for them)," she said. "This is a patriotic pep rally, that is why I do not have compassion for them."
The Westboro protest elicited a counter-protest by three teenagers from West Bend and one from Slinger.
"I keep watch on them (though the Internet)," said Devin Merget, 16, of Slinger. "(Phelps Sr.) is the nation's foremost homophobe. I want to stress the importance of opposing bigots like these."
"I believe they don't know what God hates," said Ben Barker, 14, who attends West Bend West High School. "It's ridiculous to think they are representing God."
There was a police presence that kept the two groups apart and to ensure that angry words did not erupt into physical violence. It was a good thing they were there.
"I don't like these people, they are desecrating God and the United States," said Kevin Heintz who was taking a cigarette break during his shift at Domino's Pizza across the street from the Westboro protesters. "If I wasn't working right now, I'd whoop some serious (expletive)."
Rest In Peace
Ellie