December 9th, 2010
09:20 AM ET
12 years ago
Westboro Baptist Church says it will picket Elizabeth Edwards' funeral
(CNN) - Members of the Westboro Baptist Church announced Thursday plans to picket Saturday's funeral for Elizabeth Edwards in Raleigh, North Carolina.
The Kansas-based Church - monitored by anti-hate groups such as the Anti-Defamation league and the Southern Poverty Law Center - is known for its extremist opposition to homosexuals, Jews and other groups.
The church members also oppose the War in Iraq.
According to the church's website, members will hold a protest from 12:15 p.m. to 1 p.m.
Edwards, the estranged wife of presidential candidate John Edwards, died Tuesday after a six-year battle with breast cancer.
You'd think the even with this "church's" right to assemble, freedom of speech, that something could be dont about these nuts disturbing the peace and solemnity of people's funeral. Deceased persons have a right to be given a funeral and burial without being disturbed by these misguided people.
ugh. These people are so vile and disgusting.
Such a bunch of fools. This group tops all groups.
It appears that these protestors really don't have a social or religious agenda as much as they just want attention.
How said to try and get it at the expense of such a courageous and wounderful person as Elizabeth Edwards.
Disgusting. However you feel about politics or moral issues, invading the privacy of a funeral is so distasteful and offensive it should be made a crime to do so. I would say to the members of this Church, please re-think your strategy: I would be amazed if this action would garner any support for your cause.
What is wrong with these people. Go protest at the White House, Congress, etc... Leave these griefing family members alone. I am a die hard conservative that keeps a very open mind, but what you are doing, under the cover of your warped religion is not righteous, it is sinful in my opinion.
I wish some one would put this church where it belongs.
What horrible people. Why give them any attention CNN? That's all these inbred idiots want.
Wow, what a bunch of nutjobs. So sad that they have to take their blasphemous message of hate to solemn, sad occasions like funerals. When it comes down to it, "God hates hate" and hate-mongers will never know God's love. Total psychos.
What kind of Christianity condon's now Christian behavior?
these people are like the tali hiding behind there lie of being of any god to spew there hate,and feed thedark believe that there is no god. sad but true
This isn't representative of the love Christ would show to a family grieving the loss of a loved one. Maybe these "members" of a church really don't represent the "Church" at all.
What kind of Christianity condon's none Christian behavior?
What exactly are they protesting at Ms. Edwards' funeral? Do they have something against someone who with unspeakable bravery, dignity, and class faced a horrible disease? As for the bald headed "gentleman" holding the "Thank God for IEDs" sign, are you such a coward that you need to wear sunglasses to help hide your identity? My only wish is that God would put one of the IEDs you are thanking Him for under your car on the way home. See if you still think they are such a great idea then.
whats wrong with these people? isnt their something morally wrong with this ?how can we stop this kind of behavior
These people are not true Christians. They are using Christianity as a means to make themselves seem legitimate. They are wolves in sheeps' clothing. They obviously have never truly read the Bible to see what it truly means to be a Christian. I consider myself to be a Christian and find this behavior totally opposite of what Christianity believes. Jesus did not go around protesting at funerals. His methodology was peaceful not antagonistic. The Bible says there will be wolves in sheeps' clothing and we see it here.
I don't understand why they protesting Mrs. Edwards funeral. She never did anything to them. She fought a long battle of cancer, she deserves a quiet and peaceful funeral. May you rest in peace, Mrs. Edwards and God bless your soul.
Westboro Baptist Church is disgusting.
A woman was brought to Jesus who'd been caught in the act of adultery. The accusers asked him what was to be done with her, to trap him. He bent down to the ground and started writing something in the dirt. When they continued to press him for an answer, he finally stood up and said, "Whoever among you is without sin, cast the first stone." One by one, the crowd dispersed. After a while, she was the only one with Jesus. He looked at her and said, "Woman, where are your accusers?" "They've all gone," she said. "Then neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more."
I think Westboro has forgotten that Jesus never taught hatred. Even when he was being led away and Peter lashed out, Jesus healed the man Peter struck. The greatest commandment is ALWAYS to love God with all your heart, mind, and strength, and the second commandment is to love your neighbor as yourself. Would they like their own congregations funerals picketed the way they do? WHOEVER AMONG WESTBORO IS WITHOUT SIN, CAST THE FIRST STONE.
We've got them taken care of in the midwest! The last funeral in Missouri they got stuck wa-a-a-a-ay down the street from the funeral for the crowds that developed. The family didn't see them at all. The one before that, also in Missouri, they were completely surrouded by family supporters singing songs which drowned out their protest. While they were at it someone slashed their tires and no one in town would repair them. They had to limp out of town and go to Wal-mart.
A month ago when a nephew of a friend of mine died, the funeral home told the family there may be picketers and asked if they wanted the Patriot Guard called. Neither Phelps nor the Patriot Guard showed, though he was active duty he was home on leave when he died, we were prepared with a bunch of Wiccans and Pagans who were going to surround them in a drum circle and chanting. I wish they would have showed!! That would have been SWEET!! Now Gradma wants drummers at her funeral and we will definitely indulge her request! Blessed be!!
These warped individuals have the right of free speech and to peaceably assemble, what they don’t have is the right to infringe on mine and yours. All descent people, that can, should come together and build a human perimeter around the Edwards family, keeping these disgusting excuses for human beings away from this grieving family.
why are they picketting ??? Bunch of fundamentalist losers with nothing else to do during their days ...
What could they possibly be protesting at this woman's funeral? Disgraceful. I am appalled that these people call themselves Christians.
These pwople are like the taliban hiding behind there lie of being of any god to spew there hate and feed the dark belief that there is no god
Dear God, please do something about these freaks
No matter what you believe in or how you feel about human rights, it is time to kill these people. Westboro Baptist Church must burn. This has gone far enough. That is all.