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The "God Hates Fags" crazies are coming to Seattle.

Started 2 years ago by hap
Latest reply from dervish

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hap
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Westboro Baptist Church will be "protesting" in Seattle next weekend (June 13th-15th). They don't seem to be going after our LGBT brothers and sisters this time, though--they're attacking religious groups and high-schoolers.

Here's the itinerary from the WBC site:

06/13/2009 6:15 PM - 7:00 PM Seattle, WA Stroum JCC of Greater Seattle
06/14/2009 08:45 AM - 09:30 AM Seattle, WA Congregation Beth Shalom
06/14/2009 10:00 AM - 10:45 AM Seattle, WA Mt. Zion Baptist Church
06/14/2009 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM Seattle, WA St. James Catholic Cathedral
06/14/2009 12:45 PM - 2:00 PM Seattle, WA Seattle Pacific University
06/15/2009 07:10 AM - 07:40 AM Seattle, WA Garfield High School
06/15/2009 08:00 AM - 09:00 AM Seattle, WA ADL-B'Nai

I expect counter-demonstrations shouldn't be too hard to find.

Posted 2 years ago #
flowerpetal
Member Profile

Yes, there are counter demonstrations. I'm expecting more information. Mostly we are wanting to show support for the sites being protested; rather than getting into a shouting match.

Posted 2 years ago #
Cait
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Yeah, if anyone has any information about counter protests, it would be most appreciated.

Posted 2 years ago #
tsunaminw
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The hatred of any group that goes further than talk is a problem, but people have the right to protest and although I am not a church goer I do know that when I have heard a church or pastor speak on the issue the message has always been "love the person, hate the behavior" and anything that goes beyond that in terms of hate or it going further is a crime regardless of what side they are on.
Trying to say they hate people or are crazies is a sad attempt to paint a group with a broad brush, the same thing you are attempting to stop but you do it yourself. Too much emotion involved.

Posted 2 years ago #
hap
Member Profile

You must be unfamiliar with WBC if you think they are not crazies.

They picket the funerals of murdered gay people and US soldiers. They carry signs reading "God hates fags," "You're going to Hell," and "Thank God for 9/11."

Please educate yourself about this hate group.

Posted 2 years ago #
WSB
Member Profile

Just one word of warning.

These folks are sometimes better at stirring up publicity than following through on it.

Not that long ago in my TV days, I remember getting an alert they were coming to someplace around here ... counterprotesters showed up, but that's all.

Posted 2 years ago #
datamuse
Member Profile

Yeah, they seem to be developing a habit of claiming they're going to be somewhere, and then not showing up. Which is too bad, really, because the time they demonstrated on Capitol Hill and got roundly mocked by drag queens was quality entertainment.

From everything I've read, Fred Phelps is a deeply disturbed individual. "Crazy" is neither inaccurate nor too broad a term.

Posted 2 years ago #
alki_2008
Member Profile

I'd never heard of the WBC specifically before, but did a quick search and read a bit about them. I understand that they picket the funerals of gay people because they have an anti-homosexual stance (not saying I agree with them)...but why do they picket the funerals of soldiers. I mean, are they anti-war or anti-military or something? Why picket soldiers' funerals?

Posted 2 years ago #
charlabob
Member Profile

They will be on the news tonight; had a heavy presence at Dr. Tiller's funeral service. They're primarily one family, including little kids, violent and deranged.

For some reason, this seems to be their year to hit synogogues. I hope TR is right and they stay away. Their schedule also shows them in Tel Aviv and I doubt they'll make it there either.

Posted 2 years ago #
hap
Member Profile

Re: why they picket soldiers' funerals--they aren't anti-war or anti-military specifically. They say that God hates America for abandoning moral principles and that fallen US soldiers burn in Hell. Also, they stage these events to draw attention to themselves and their message, never mind the grieving families.

And I do hope that they skip Seattle, especially the protest at Garfield. I mean really, a high school? Kids shouldn't be exposed to that kind of filth.

Posted 2 years ago #
TheHouse
Member Profile

Lack of acknowledgement is usually one of the strongest forms of dealing with these idiots.

Posted 2 years ago #
GreenGuy
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Newsflash: They're already here. Mars Hill.

Posted 2 years ago #
flowerpetal
Member Profile

If you are equating WBC with Mars Hill, I think you miss your mark. I am certainly not defending Mars Hill; but they are not WBC. They pale next in their practices to WBC.
The shocking callous behvior of WBC to vocally protest in front of the church of a fallen soldier, or any individual, while a family and loved ones grieve wrenches my gut. I cannot lack their acknowledgement.

Posted 2 years ago #
guidosmom
Member Profile

Wow! What a random itinerary. Anyone know the reasoning behind their choice of locations? This group makes me sick. I've never seen an organization filled with so much hatred.

Posted 2 years ago #
JoB
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I don't think ignoring these people works...And vocal counter-protests make them seem too important...

so.. what is our current culture's version of shaming? standing between them and their target with our backs turned?

Posted 2 years ago #
Que
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They recently protested at the High School I graduated from b/c it is named after a famous peron who happened to be gay. They had 8 protesters and the teaching staff turned it into a lesson for the students about tolerance and civil rights and freedom of speech.

There were over 500 counter protesters and the Gay-Straight Alliance used it as a fundraiser and sent a thank you note to Phelp's church for helping them raise the money.

I thought that was beautiful.

Posted 2 years ago #
JoB
Member Profile

now that's making lemonade out of lemons.... a good example for all...

Posted 2 years ago #
Yardvark
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Cool Louis Theroux BBC special on these lovely folks:
http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=louis+therouz&emb=1&aq=f#q=louis+theroux+phelps&emb=1

Posted 2 years ago #
Yardvark
Member Profile

As the Gay-Straight Alliance proved, the Westboro Church has strangely done quite a lot of good, both in terms rallying support for civil rights and for calling people out on their often less extremist prejudices.

Though I don't think it's okay to lump Mars Hill and Westboro into the same pot so easily, I would definitely acknowledge that parts of Mars Hill are certainly made from the same ignorant ingredients.

I'm just respectfully hoping that the Mars Hill folks can see the more subtle ignorance and bigotry of their organization's dogma when it's bared so blatantly naked by the Westboro Baptist Church.

I'd love to hear from some Mars Hill people, though.

Posted 2 years ago #
lrlopez74
Member Profile

Here's the website with info for the counterprotest:

http://www.seattleoutprotest.org/

For more info, to help out, or show support, email:
eduardo@seattleoutprotest.org or call
2532175744

We're on Facebook, too. Search for Seattle Outprotest & Celebration and
Westboro Baptist Church *Peaceful* GHS Community Celebration

Posted 2 years ago #
SarahScoot
Member Profile

The WBC crew visited my college campus about seven years back when "The Laramie Project" was being performed at our theater. There was a large group of students, including me, who decided to simply carry buckets, mops, and scrub brushes around and "clean" wherever the WBC protesters were. They'd stand on a corner yelling horrible slurs, and we'd simply move in and scrub where they'd stood. I think it threw them off a bit ;-) .

Posted 2 years ago #
JoB
Member Profile

i like that approach too:)

Posted 2 years ago #
datamuse
Member Profile

Ooh, SarahScoot, I like that approach. Very nice.

I'm also fond of the Patriot Guard Riders, who don't so much counter-protest as just, well, drown out Phelps and his ilk. Ever tried shouting over someone cranking a Harley engine? Rather ingenious I think.

For the curious, I highly suggest reading the link I posted previously. It's quite illuminating, if you have the stomach for it. Basically the WBC is a single family that pretty much makes a living off of protesting, tying wherever they show up back into the "God hates America because of tolerance of homosexuality" stance. (Example: the rationale, if one can call it that, for picketing soldiers' funerals is that a soldier killed in action is a sign that God hates America, which is because...you get the idea.)

A lot of them are lawyers (Phelps himself is disbarred) and they have gotten very, very good at skating the free-speech line.

Posted 2 years ago #
Ken
Member Profile

Yes. Nearly every adult over 25 in that family, is a lawyer.

Michael Moore visits with his big gay bus.
http://www.truveo.com/micheal-moore-vs-westboro-hate-church/id/2868896555

Posted 2 years ago #
mayjune
Member Profile

This group frequently demonstrated at my university. The best response I saw was a counter protest fundraiser in which people pledged to pay a certain amount to a gay rights organization for every minute that WBC was at the event ($1/minute, or whatever... so the longer WBC was there, the more money the fundraiser made). As soon as the demonstrators learned what was going on, they packed up and left very quickly.

Posted 2 years ago #
datamuse
Member Profile

I sort of wonder if law school admissions staff twitch when they see the name "Phelps" on an application.

Posted 2 years ago #
Trick
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Ken, that link was priceless!

Posted 2 years ago #
Cait
Member Profile

Are these the same idiots who picketed Heath Ledger's funeral because he played a gay man in Brokeback Mountain? Let's not forget that he himself was married with a child... and was an actor... Anyone who would disrespect someone like that in death is pure evil.

I was talking to someone about this the other day. These people remind me of Mark David Chapman (the man who killed John Lennon.) They don't just protest these things due to their principles, they do it to gain exposure (like a cult.) They find huge public figures and glom onto them with their hate to make themselves famous. It's dangerous and its evil, but most of all it's the worst example of reckless vanity I have ever heard tell of.

Most Lennon fans refuse to acknowledge Chapman (see the awful turn out for Chapter 27, the movie about Lennon's assassination) because it's what he wants and they don't want to give him the satisfaction. However, unless you can get everyone, en masse, to ignore this behavior these lunatics will be bolstered.

I would suggest ignoring it, but when they do these things (like picket funerals) it's impossible for society at large to let it lie.

Posted 2 years ago #
mike0323
Member Profile

agreed. Ignore them, your reaction makes them stronger.

Posted 2 years ago #
guidosmom
Member Profile

I think their protesting actually could help deter people from supporting referendum 71. At least I hope. :)

Posted 2 years ago #
runner98765
Member Profile

Garfield High School student run community celebration is here:

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=107638305438&ref=ts

Posted 2 years ago #
Yardvark
Member Profile

Superman didn't ignore the KKK! I most certainly won't ignore the WBC!
No need to reinvent the wheel when dealing with hate groups. There are tried and true methods.

Posted 2 years ago #
m2
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Here's my favorite and hilarious counterprotest for the Westboro Baptist Church - an absolutey, absurdly genius way to counter these hatemongers: http://bit.ly/pclVz

Posted 2 years ago #
FullTilt
Member Profile

When I was in college in LA, there was a big anit-abortion protest at the downtown clinic. We dressed up in brown shirts with black arm bands and went down and waved signs that said National Socialist Party for Christ. That was the name of Hitler's political party, but none of the anti abortionist seemed to get that. They cheered when we arrived. We even made it on the evening news.

Posted 2 years ago #
datamuse
Member Profile

This is my favorite counterprotest sign.

Posted 2 years ago #
flowerpetal
Member Profile

I don't get it datamuse. Can you help?

Posted 2 years ago #
bluebird
Member Profile

I'm confused too. Reading the comments on the link, it sounds like they're referring to a type of invertebrate that has never evolved? Drawing a parallel maybe?

Posted 2 years ago #
charlabob
Member Profile

Given the instances of right-wing terrorism in the past two weeks, and the continuing and escalating drumbeat for violence from the mainstream conservative media, I think this cannot be "ignored."

Opposition events are being planned and it really is important that they be supported.

This is the only planned event I've seen:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/event.php?eid=87328597583&ref=mf

Posted 2 years ago #
maplesyrup
Member Profile

It's one family with an extremely crazy, attention-whoring agenda that deserves absolutely no attention.

Giving them attention only fuels their fire. As difficult as it is to ignore them, I believe that's the best course.

Posted 2 years ago #
Ken
Member Profile

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cthulhu_Mythos

As another literary reference flies over West Seattle and out to sea...

Posted 2 years ago #
bluebird
Member Profile

Knowing that doesn't make the phrase any clearer to me.

"Cthulhu Hates Chordates"

Cthulhu is a fictional cosmic entity created by horror author H. P. Lovecraft in 1926.

Chordates (phylum Chordata) are a group of animals that includes the vertebrates, together with several closely related invertebrates.

The universe hates animals? Sorry, I'm obviously not clever enough to see the humor, but I'll keep trying. I want it to be funny.

Posted 2 years ago #
datamuse
Member Profile

Bluebird: it may help you to know that Cthulhu and his ilk are envisioned as being somewhat squidlike, ie not having the anatomical arrangement found in chordates. One of the key features of the mythos is that these beings will at some point rise out of the sea and destroy humanity.

So it's a pretty geeky joke, really, but part of the point is that here's a god who REALLY hates humanity.

It's also got a pretty keen alliteration going for it.

Posted 2 years ago #
bluebird
Member Profile

Thank-you! I feel stupid, but appreciate the explanation.

Posted 2 years ago #
datamuse
Member Profile

No worries. You kind of have to be into Lovecraft to really find it funny, I think, but one of the reasons I like it is that if you showed up at a WBC protest with that sign, it would really confuse them.

Posted 2 years ago #
Traci
Member Profile

Yarvark, thanks for posting the BBC documentary... it was fascinating and so well done.

Posted 2 years ago #
alki_2008
Member Profile

Given the instances of right-wing terrorism in the past two weeks, and the continuing and escalating drumbeat for violence from the mainstream conservative media

What?!
Does this mean that everything god-oriented is "right-wing"?
Why, oh why, does everything have to be spun into a right vs left/conservative vs liberal argument, instead of just right vs wrong? :-(

Posted 2 years ago #
JoB
Member Profile

alki_2008..

i don't think any of the instances of domestic terrorism that have occurred this year are god-oriented... do you?

Posted 2 years ago #
alki_2008
Member Profile

I thought this thread was about the WBC people, which presume to be god-oriented. So my confusion lies in how the WBC gets lumped together with the "right-wing terrorism" folks...sure, the WBC is some kinda 'wing' (maybe wingNUTS).

Just doesn't seem like WBC and right-wing terrorism needs to be connected, that's all...IMHO.

Posted 2 years ago #
JoB
Member Profile

alki_2008..

perhaps extremism is the tie that binds...

the confrontational self promoting activities of the WBC are certainly extreme...

and i don't believe that the WBC's activities are god-oriented...

i don't think their confrontational activities are officially.... or unofficially sanctioned by the baptist church either...

i think a lot of people abuse God's message with their activities... and i wish they would stop.

Posted 2 years ago #
Yardvark
Member Profile

The WBC definitely brings to light the similar, though much more subtle and polite, homophobia and bigotry that exists in a lot of our society.

As it's often pointed out, "God Hates Fags" (and alot of other stuff, too) is mentioned in the Bible, just in different terms that allows people to turn it into "hate the sin, love the sinner."

There's a lot of otherwise kind and loving groups out there who refuse to see the blantant truth: that homosexuality cannot be seperated from homosexuals. Curse one and you curse them both.

The WSB offers an extreme example of the subtle prejudices we all see every day, the subtle prejudices that are held by a large number of our otherwise good neighbors.

I'm hoping that the WSB causes homophobic religions and people to see the disgusting nature of their beliefs, just as, in a much more extreme case, those darn Nazis showed the digusting nature of anti-semitism.

After the realities of WWII were known, anti-semitism began to wane around the world. Hopefully the WSB will cause the same waning effect on homophobia, while obviously avoiding all the horrors.

Maybe that's just looking on the bright side of having to deal with a bunch of morons coming to town.

Posted 2 years ago #