NewsMine — propoganda — bible — Viewing Item

Church blames soldiers deaths on gays { August 28 2005 } Original Source Link: (May no longer be active)    http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/28/AR2005082800019.html http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/28/AR2005082800019.html Anti-Gay Church Protests at GI Funerals By BETH RUCKER The Associated Press Sunday, August 28, 2005; 12:06 AM 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. 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." © 2005 The Associated Press

evolution gay-marriages left-behind ratzinger smear-church the-passion Abortion protesters at wrong house say evil dwells { August 20 2004 } Abstinence prgrams says abortion leads to suicide { December 2 2004 } ACLU challenges nude teen camp ban { June 30 2004 } Born two moms and no dads { April 22 2004 } Boycott against retailers not specifying christmas { December 23 2004 } British scientist apocalypse 50 50 { June 9 2003 } Buffett forecasts doom Bush increasing religious allusions Bush signs unborn victims act { April 2 2004 } Bush signs unborn victims of violence act Catholics question abortion focus { April 26 2004 } Christians protest soldier funerals { February 2006 } [jpg] Christians protest soldier funerals { February 2006 } Church blames soldiers deaths on gays { August 28 2005 } Die by sword For abortion rights new generation { April 24 2004 } God remains in pledge of allegiance Gop senate leader frist backs stem cell research { July 30 2005 } Grasshoppers invade us west House votes to protect god in allegiance { September 24 2004 } Huge crowds in washington for abortion rights rally { April 25 2004 } Jesus bush nov 7 02 reuters [jpg] Judge voids late term abortion ban as unconstitutional { August 27 2004 } Kansas evolution debate over school materials { October 28 2005 } Police find baby cut from womb alive Pope calls for new world order Pope calls on bishops to attack feminists { July 31 2004 } Reagon son accuses bush of using religion for politics Republicans warn liberals will ban bible Revelations Supreme court considers display of ten commandments { March 2 2005 } Tunner predicts nuclear disaster { April 14 2003 } Turner predicts humanity extinction UN issues locust plague warning { July 5 2004 } Us accusses UN family planning of forcing abortions { July 17 2004 } US pushes UN on abortion declaration { February 28 2005 } Virgin mary weeping { February 18 2003 } Weeping mary ap [jpg] Whitehouse rejects change to stem cell policy Files Listed: 39

Correction/submissions

CIA FOIA Archive

National Security Archives

This site contains copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in our efforts to advance understanding of environmental, political, human rights, economic, democracy, scientific, and social justice issues, etc. We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. For more information, go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purpose of your own that go beyond 'fair use', you must obtain permission from the copyright owner.