Protesters at soldiers' funerals
-
fleaflicker
- Official BleacherCoach
- Posts: 1947
- Joined: March 13th, 2004, 12:32 am
Protesters at soldiers' funerals
Anti-gay church protests at soldiers’ funerals
Counterdemonstrators in Tennessee chase away members of small church
SMYRNA, Tenn. - 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.
‘God hates you,’ signs read
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.
Large counterdemonstrations
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.”
I don't care what their beliefs are, or how well intentioned they may be, but what they did is just wrong. First off, to go preaching hate, while covered by the first amendment, is still very offensive. But to do this at the funerals of two young men who fought and died for their country is just totally disrespectful and hateful not only towards gay people (as in the signs), but towards the dead soldiers and their families. WTF? If they go around carrying signs in a public place (not at a funeral) saying "Let's bring God back into America," or "Stop the gay agenda" or "God is punishing America," that's alright. I don't agree with what they are saying, but they have the right to express their views, and they are doing it in a peaceful manner that isn't blatently offensive. To carry around signs saying "God hates fags," is another thing, since they are not only preaching hate, but misrepresenting their own Christian religion, which says that God is love (this is much of the reason why I left the Christian religion in the first place, this seeming hatred towards others). To carry around signs "God hates fags" and "God is killing the gay soldiers" and whatever at the funeral of two young men that gave their lives for their country is the ultimate slap in the face. Disagreeing with the war is one thing, but to protest in a manner blatently disrespectful of those who died in that war is a heinous moral crime that, while it seems to be protected by the first amendment, really shouldn't be.
Counterdemonstrators in Tennessee chase away members of small church
SMYRNA, Tenn. - 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.
‘God hates you,’ signs read
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.
Large counterdemonstrations
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.”
I don't care what their beliefs are, or how well intentioned they may be, but what they did is just wrong. First off, to go preaching hate, while covered by the first amendment, is still very offensive. But to do this at the funerals of two young men who fought and died for their country is just totally disrespectful and hateful not only towards gay people (as in the signs), but towards the dead soldiers and their families. WTF? If they go around carrying signs in a public place (not at a funeral) saying "Let's bring God back into America," or "Stop the gay agenda" or "God is punishing America," that's alright. I don't agree with what they are saying, but they have the right to express their views, and they are doing it in a peaceful manner that isn't blatently offensive. To carry around signs saying "God hates fags," is another thing, since they are not only preaching hate, but misrepresenting their own Christian religion, which says that God is love (this is much of the reason why I left the Christian religion in the first place, this seeming hatred towards others). To carry around signs "God hates fags" and "God is killing the gay soldiers" and whatever at the funeral of two young men that gave their lives for their country is the ultimate slap in the face. Disagreeing with the war is one thing, but to protest in a manner blatently disrespectful of those who died in that war is a heinous moral crime that, while it seems to be protected by the first amendment, really shouldn't be.
Last edited by fleaflicker on September 20th, 2011, 12:46 am, edited 1 time in total.
"To give anything less than the best is to sacrifice the gift." -Steve Prefontaine
-
Gunner18
- Moderator Team
- Posts: 6688
- Joined: September 19th, 2003, 11:34 pm
- Location: New Bern, NC
- Contact:
i just smile at protestors because deep down all theyre doing is showing theyre support for us by using the very freedoms provided for them by the military they protest. theyre posterchilds for the military if you ask me. kinda like saying "look what i can do because i live in a free country thats protected by men and women willing to give the ultimate sacrifice for freedom"
Last edited by Gunner18 on September 20th, 2011, 12:46 am, edited 1 time in total.
STRAIGHT
-
count2infinity
- Official BleacherCoach
- Posts: 4475
- Joined: September 1st, 2004, 6:44 pm
- Location: Clarion
how do you come to a person's funeral and protest like that? The family is probably having a hard enough time as it is, this on top of it. That's just ridiculous...
Last edited by count2infinity on September 20th, 2011, 12:46 am, edited 1 time in total.
Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved.
-
fleaflicker
- Official BleacherCoach
- Posts: 1947
- Joined: March 13th, 2004, 12:32 am
One of my friends said that this Phelps guy is probably going to get taken down by somebody at a funeral, since he's made a habit of inviting himself (and his protesters) to them so much. Let's hope it's very soon, and that he suffers badly from his encounter. The deader, the better.
And Gunner, it is the soldier that protects our freedoms, and that's why I think it is such a shame that we over in Iraq, because I think this war is an abuse of the power the President has over our military, as there is no real clear cut reason that we went over there, and the president lied numerous times about why we are fighting this war.
Nevertheless, any kind of protest at a soldier's funeral is very disrespectful, as it simply isn't the place or time to do it.
And Gunner, it is the soldier that protects our freedoms, and that's why I think it is such a shame that we over in Iraq, because I think this war is an abuse of the power the President has over our military, as there is no real clear cut reason that we went over there, and the president lied numerous times about why we are fighting this war.
Nevertheless, any kind of protest at a soldier's funeral is very disrespectful, as it simply isn't the place or time to do it.
Last edited by fleaflicker on September 20th, 2011, 12:46 am, edited 1 time in total.
"To give anything less than the best is to sacrifice the gift." -Steve Prefontaine
-
Gunner18
- Moderator Team
- Posts: 6688
- Joined: September 19th, 2003, 11:34 pm
- Location: New Bern, NC
- Contact:
wanna know somethin funny? the Marines are the only branch of military that the president has direct authority over to send anywhere in the world, for the Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and National Guard to be used there has to be an act of congress, so to say that W is just abusing his power is completly false. Congress (all 435 or however many of them there are) is responsible for our troops being in Iraq.I think this war is an abuse of the power the President has over our military,
also i really hate to tell you, but probably 99% of the troops both stateside and abroad WANT to be in Iraq/Afghanistan. how do i know? because im one of the 99% and so are the guys i work with, my brother, the guys he works with, and every Marine, Soldier, Sailor, and Airmen that i talk to all say the same thing..."wish i was over there" or "cant wait till its my turn". the troops want to be there, its the ignorant American population that doesnt want us there.
STRAIGHT