Anti-Gay Church Protests at GI Funerals

[Navy6064]

Anti-Gay Church Protests at GI Funerals

Associated Press



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."







The Associated Press

[Grimmy]

Wonder what would happen if the Cindy Shehaan crowd and the Phelps crew were made aware of the fact that they are more or less allies.

This really disgusted me when I read it and I am soooooo sick and tired of this damn subject. As far as I am concerned anyone who joins the United States Military, whether it be the Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force Coast Guard of their own free will to honor and serve this great country of ours has the right to, no matter what their personal preferences are for partnership. I have never in all my years of being in the military have ever seen any activity which may be deamed different by anyones standards.
I would like someone to show me one name on the Wall in Washington of any Vietnam Veteran or any other monument ever erected to honor our fallen brothers and sisters from all wars that states along side their name that they were gay or homosexual and in fact lets add another to that request, show me where it states Republican or Democrate.

This Anti-Gay Church fanatics are no better then the terrorists which we fight today...
they all cover up behind a holy book and are all a bunch of phonies.

We all die the same way and go to the same damn place..a hole in the ground 6 feet under. PERIOD

[USMCRET6391]

Just goes to show there are idiots on both sides. The far right in this country is just as wacko as the far left. Who the fuck do these people think they are?

[Curt]

They are really beginning to tick me off. Using funerals or soldiers for your protest is as low as you go.

[Garrett]

That is total bullshit, people come to country to be free, and have free will.... People born here are born here are born free, these people of the "church" are contradicting the basis of this country...

[AmericanGirl]

This makes me mad enough to do actual physical harm... anyone have bail money for me so I can go slap some people silly???

[SGRock]

I'll chip in!

[cplmpes30]

Let me undertand

Some weirdo creates a church by enrolling his family and neighbours and goes round in flowing robes with a very personal agenda on the rights and wrongs of society.

I bet he also gets tax exemption and probably makes a nice living out of it.

Isn't there a concept as bringing a thing too far?

Cheers

[Rusty24]

If I get wind that these fuckers want to protest at a soldiers funeral near me --- It won't happen. They WILL go somewhere else.