Westboro hits close to home

[MadMike]

I think one of our other members came up with "Thank God for dead bigots!"

I like that one.

[Hobbs]

"Freddy's Dead: Goodbye Nightmare"*

"Prayers do Come True"

"Sorry it took so long. -God"

*points for reference

[Wingates_Hellsing]

I figured a good one might be "Satan LOVES signs!"

Ghel is right, Phelps and his brood are just the tip of the iceberg, something the whole of which needs to be taken into consideration. Maybe we should take it to them (their getting the attention either way) and play Poker Face or Dancing Queen outside their church all day every day...

[Ghel]

The more attention you give him, the more powerful he becomes.

Yes, I can see that. But Phelp's beliefs stem from a literal Bible interpretation. I think that needs attention brought to it. The absurdities in Phelp's beliefs are shared by a majority of Christians. It's just that the more moderate Christians have watered down many of the objectionable teachings of the Bible to be more in line with what their morals tell them is right. Christianity, for the most part, has been dragged, kicking and screaming, into the 21st century. Phelps and his ilk are simply a throwback to earlier times.

[Boozy]

How about:

"God hates bigots"
"God is just pretend"
"This is a sign" (that one works on a couple of levels)

How about:

"Wherever you are, Mr. Phelps, I'll bet you're surprised."

[Lachrymose]

The more attention you give him, the more powerful he becomes. Even in death.

(Although it sounds like a Star Wars quote, I feel it's true.)

[Ghel]

How about:

"God hates bigots"
"God is just pretend"
"This is a sign" (that one works on a couple of levels)

[draggar]

Who all's looking forward to picketing Fred Phelps' funeral?

Sign me up. A few sign suggestions:

"I see you're with your god now. I hear she's very nice".
"Say hi to (Wicca, Thor, Horus) for me".
"Say hi to Set for me".

[HYHYBT]

Who all's looking forward to picketing Fred Phelps' funeral?

[Kaylyn]

I support WBC's right to free speech. I think they're jerks for saying it, but they have the right to say it. OTOH, the family has a right to privacy. I think a good compromise would be to require demonstrators to keep a certain distance from the funeral home, so that they don't directly interefere with the funeral.

I like the counter-protests some people have been doing. Such as showing up with signs that make fun of WBC's signs. I particularly like the meta-protest signs like "I have a sign" and "God hates signs".

I, too, support their right to free speech. It's kinda funny...I'm currently writing a gay romance, so if it gets published and actually gains some popularity, I stand a good chance of getting singled out by them. I'm oddly looking forward to it...I have my own ideas of how to handle them, and I'm all for keeping them away from soldiers' funerals if I can. At least it would make some semblance of sense for them to picket me at book signings or whatever.

There will be counter-protesting at this funeral. In an odd twist of fate, I found out one of my friends used to date the soldier's sister. He and his friends that knew him are counter-protesting with signs such as "God Loves Soldiers." The police will be keeping the group a certain distance away from the funeral, and I'm sure the PGR will be holding the giant flags blocking them from view. I have no idea how much exposure the family will have to the WBC though.

[Hobbs]

Fighting words is a stupid defense, IMO. No matter what somebody says, you should be able to control your response. If what somebody says is libelous, you can sue them, but letting it provoke you to violence is never a proper response.

Taken from here: http://www.bookrags.com/wiki/Provocation_(legal)

In criminal law, provocation is a possible defense by excuse or exculpation alleging a sudden or temporary loss of control (a permanent loss of control is in the realm of insanity) as a response to another's provocative conduct sufficient to justify an acquittal, a mitigated sentence or a conviction for a lesser charge. Provocation can be a relevant factor in a court's assessment of a defendant's mens rea, intention, or state of mind, at the time of an act of which the defendant is accused. In some Common Law jurisdictions such as the UK , Canada, and several Australian states, the defense of provocation is only available against a charge of murder and only acts to reduce the conviction to manslaughter. This is known as "voluntary manslaughter" which is considered more serious than "involuntary manslaughter", which comprises both manslaughter by "unlawful act" and by criminal negligence. In some states with Criminal Codes, such as the Australian states of Queensland and Western Australia, provocation serves as a complete defense to the range of assault-based offenses. In the United States, the Model Penal Code substitutes the broader standard of extreme emotional or mental distress for the comparatively narrower standard of provocation. Provocation, however, is not a defense available to the civil torts of assault or battery.

[tropicsgoddess]

I like the counter-protests some people have been doing. Such as showing up with signs that make fun of WBC's signs. I particularly like the meta-protest signs like "I have a sign" and "God hates signs".

Those counter protests are hilarious with the "I was promised donuts" signs and such! The one at the Chicago university with the students dancing and blasting "I'm Coming Out" from Diana Ross was genius! Seeing those WBC nutjobs walk away after being served a big heap of pwnage was priceless!

Sorry to hear about your nephew's cousin. I do hope everything goes well without a hitch. I love the Patriot Guard and I have a lot of respect for what they do and what they stand for.

I support freedom of speech, but what angers me is how WBC abuses that by desecrating the funerals of those who died while serving our country with their hateful rants and antics. Leave their families alone and give them their proper dues and dignity they deserve!

[smileyeagle1021]

And, my personal favorite:

"Do A Barrel Roll!!"

My personal favorite was one I saw that said "mythinks the lady doth protest too much" with an arrow pointing to a WBC protester next to them

As far as the WBC protesting at funerals, I do hope they realize that they are the atheists best friends... I know multiple people (which full discloser, I am one of them) who have left Christianity because we can't reconcile our goodness with what our faith was inspiring. I was not because of the WBC (I was because of all the Christian hatred of homosexuals in Utah in ALL churches that I saw, even the 'accepting' ones). If the WBC's goal is to drive people away from Christianity (which, ftr, I support) then they are succeeding in that endeavor.

[AdminAssistant]

I like the counter-protests some people have been doing. Such as showing up with signs that make fun of WBC's signs. I particularly like the meta-protest signs like "I have a sign" and "God hates signs".

There were awesome ones at a recent KU counter protest:

"God's Never Gonna Give You Up" (with a pic of Ric Astley)

"My Arms Are Tired"

"Free Hugs!"

"My Sign Is Better Than Your Sign"

And, my personal favorite:

"Do A Barrel Roll!!"

[Ghel]

Fighting words is a stupid defense, IMO. No matter what somebody says, you should be able to control your response. If what somebody says is libelous, you can sue them, but letting it provoke you to violence is never a proper response.

I support WBC's right to free speech. I think they're jerks for saying it, but they have the right to say it. OTOH, the family has a right to privacy. I think a good compromise would be to require demonstrators to keep a certain distance from the funeral home, so that they don't directly interefere with the funeral.

I like the counter-protests some people have been doing. Such as showing up with signs that make fun of WBC's signs. I particularly like the meta-protest signs like "I have a sign" and "God hates signs".