Westboro Church Protesting in Joplin

Updated on May 26, 2011
J.S. asks from Green Cove Springs, FL
24 answers

Gah, so these idiots that protest the solider's funerals are going to be protesting the president when he comes to Joplin on Sunday. They are supposedly making signs saying that they are glad 125 people have died and so on and so forth. My FIL is making plans with his biking community to go and block the roads so they can not get with in so many feet of the victims and or volunteers. I have been itching to go to one of these counter protests since they picketed my friends brother funeral. However, my mom has planned a BBQ for that day that is especially for me since I am coming in from Florida and it's my bday...so I am torn. In a way it feels like I am turning my back on my beliefs for a bbq. I know that is a bit extreme but that is how I feel. However, I know my mom will be super upset and that my family members will be disappointed. What would you mama's do?

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So What Happened?

Ok, We may have come to a solution. Since there will be kids at the BBQ they can't all go. My dad's family are pretty much pacifists so they wouldn't want to go anyway. However, my sister has volunteered to come and watch my daughter (and her son both 2 1/2 Yikes!) while I go with the in-laws in the A.M. My MIL and I will have to leave early to make it back to the BBQ, but I will at least be there to help set up and maybe have a go (with words of course) at a few of them

. I wished we could make it for another day, but a lot of the family is working or such the next week, and my sister leaves for a Vegas business trip the next day. Thanks for all the support! When we lay out a plan, I will try to get back on here and let people know, if you live in the area and are wanting to join!

I know I shouldn't let these people get to me, but plain and simple I am a fighter. When I see something this disgusting I want to DO something about it. I have never been a sidelines type of person.

Meet up is happening at 10:30 at the Northpark Mall in Joplin. There is a memorial service at 1 p.m. with the president.

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J.C.

answers from Anchorage on

ask the BBQ guests to join you in the protest and than after wards you can all go back and eat and drink and celebrate.

5 moms found this helpful

B.K.

answers from Chicago on

If those nutjobs came anywhere near where I live to protest, I would cancel almost anything to go get in their faces and ruin it for them. If I were you I'd skip or reschedule the time of the bbq and go counter-protest!

3 moms found this helpful

K.A.

answers from San Diego on

I would ask you rmother to change the schedule so you can go. Tell her exactly how you feel.
Those people just keep sinking to new lows. They need to be put in their place!

1 mom found this helpful

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R.M.

answers from Topeka on

I live in Topeka, Ks...the home of these morons...and I can tell you that they FEED on the attention they get from these protests!! I understand that you want to go and do something to make a statement...but I think you will cause a lot of hurt feelings if you don't attend the BBQ that your Mom has planned. It isn't turning your back on your beliefs..it is being thoughtful and considerate and loving of your family!!
Nothing is going to stop these idiots and their signs and vulgarity...until the day they go before God for their final judgement and find out how horribly wrong they have been!!!
Let the Patriot Guard do what they do best and keep them away from the president and the people of Joplin. If it makes you feel better...go give blood or buy some supplies to donate to the people of Joplin...maybe some toys for the children who have lost everything!!!

6 moms found this helpful
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R.T.

answers from Lincoln on

I don't know what advice to give you on where to go, but I can not believe that anyone would protest Obama's coming to Joplin. I find it horrid that they would say that they were glad that 125 people are dead!!! As a person who has family from Joplin (Thank God they are okay) anyone who blocks these JERKS has my utmost respect. How could they do that? Bless your FIL for making a stand against this group!! I will pray for their success in blocking this horrible group from making an absolutely terrible situation worse.

4 moms found this helpful
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J.B.

answers from Atlanta on

Go to the BBQ -these freaks don't deserve your energy or to further upset anyone -including your mother! If you want to counter-protest them at some point, they offer plenty of opportunities. I sincerely hope they all die soon!

4 moms found this helpful

L.M.

answers from Dover on

No good answer for you. I get wanting to be part of the counter protest but how can you miss the bbq that is for you? Additionally, being a part of the counterprotest is feeding into the protesters desire to get attention.

Personally, they sicken me. They have the right to believe what they want but to use their religion to promote it is no better than a terrorist. They spew hate and cause more distress for people who have lost love ones. How can they believe that God would punish people this way? My God is a loving God...don't know what their's is.

3 moms found this helpful

C.W.

answers from Lynchburg on

Hi J.-

Any chance your mom could make a B B Q on 'wheels'?? And make the bbq available to those who are protesting the 'ridiculous' ones??

Maybe a good time can be had by all...

And who knows...maybe a 'counter' movement will begin!!

Best luck!
michele/cat

3 moms found this helpful

A.J.

answers from Williamsport on

You cannot miss a counter protest with bikers/family for a bbq! just tell your mom!

3 moms found this helpful
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3.B.

answers from Cleveland on

These people are MONSTERS. What kind of cruel, hearltess freaks protest where people, INNOCENT people have lost their lives?? I am not huge into religion, but my grandpa was a reverend, pretty old school too. But we were taught that its GODS place and ONLY GODS place to judge. That we as his children should always show love and kindness, even we think the person may not deserve it. It is for us to be better and kinder people even in the face of something we dislike and dont agree with.
Girl, I say you go down there and stand up for these poor souls and their families and that community. Your family may be upset, but this is far more important. And GOOD FOR YOU! If they ever showed up anywhere near my home, I'd be there!
Wow, these people just leave me speechless. There are not a church, there a cult. How sad people like this exsist!

2 moms found this helpful
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L.K.

answers from Kansas City on

Those people are flipping NUTS. And it angers me that they are from Kansas!
I know the biking community as well as others have rallied in the past to counter-protest the dipsticks.

I would hope you mom would understand your feelings given the circumstances. I like the thought by Jen C. to have the others join you!

1 mom found this helpful

J.U.

answers from Washington DC on

Your awesome!! They are wackos!!!!!!!! I saw an interview with one of the women, they are out of their minds. I don't even understand how they get away with doing what they do. Mental illness, medication, they all need it. The poor children being brain washed by the cult like protesters, that is a real shame.

1 mom found this helpful
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L.M.

answers from Norfolk on

I'm not certain what the scheduling conflict is, but I would do the counter-protest, then come back to mom's for BBQ, a beer & a sense of accomplishment. Perhaps there are more guests who'd like to do both?

1 mom found this helpful
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L.L.

answers from Topeka on

This family doesn't live to far away from my parents home they are out everday picketing the same sites On Huntoon it gets old I just look past them.I use to flip them off every time I seen them but then that was just attention they liked to have.They are very bothersome I don't see how their messages aren't like hate crimes they aren't physically doing damage but the emotional trauma they are setting people up for doesn't that account for something.
I can't believe these people.I have no words to describe them they are just not compassionate human beings.People should picket their funerals with huge sings of peace,flowers,rainbows,People stick together I don't know something to piss them off & to worry about like we do here & every where else they show up they won't stop it is called freedom of speech.
Let them make the signs & the people of Joplin fight back get your candles & prayers set borders to pray for all the loved ones you have lost pray for the missing pray for the dead pray for the living.

1 mom found this helpful
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L.D.

answers from Dallas on

What do you WANT to do? Its your birthday - celebrate it the way you want to.

1 mom found this helpful
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B..

answers from Dallas on

Can you talk to your mom and have the BBQ on a different day? Or, can you have it earlier or later, so that you could go? I'd be there with your FIL, if it were me...but so would my mom...so my situation is different. Talk with her about it, see if something can be worked out.

1 mom found this helpful
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S.B.

answers from Houston on

They give church a bad name. They aren't a church. This is a wacked out family who does this and calls themselves a church. Its a family cult. Nuttier than a fruit cake. They make me sick. Good for you! Wish I lived closer. I love doing stuff like this! Our society neeeds to hit this group and make them as uncomfortable as possible!

1 mom found this helpful

L.B.

answers from Biloxi on

Is there any way to do both? Maybe move the time of the BBQ back to give you time to go to the protest, then the BBQ.

Wow, I just went to their website - how disgusting.

Please go counter picket - bring your Mom and your entire family.
This "church" is propagating a message of hate and giving all Baptists a bad name. I am Baptist, and this church does not reflect my views.

If I could get there I would.

God Bless
EVERYONE !!!!!!

1 mom found this helpful

J.H.

answers from San Antonio on

Is it the Patriot Guard Riders that will be running interference?

I'm a member there, and we heard rumors that several chapters may go in case these people tried to show up and protest.

I'm glad that you were able to work something out so you can go. Here's the thing though...be careful what you say. They have lawyers on retainer and if things get out of hand, you'll be arrested. The Patriot Guard Riders simply line the road with their bikes and rev their engines, so the people can't be heard. If you're standing there, screaming at the people protesting, you're just going to fuel their fire. Talk to some of the riders and see if you can get a flag to hold. You'll just stand there and hold the flag with your back to the idiots...I'm sorry, I mean "church protestors." (No, I mean idiots...I tried to be PC. It's not working, lol!)

Good for you for standing up for your beliefs. I agree with the others that these idiots are not a church and need a serious reality check.

1 mom found this helpful
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L.F.

answers from San Francisco on

Ask your mom if she will move it to another time or day. If this is part of your personal belief system, I don't see how anyone could have a problem with it. Do what you think is right. I would block them too! How disrespectful! I think that no matter what side of the fence your on, we should always respect people who are grieving the loss of a loved one. NOT kick them when they are down. Good for you!

M

E.B.

answers from Seattle on

That is absolutely outrageous!

Go be apart of the counter protest. That is a very hurtful thing they will be ''doing''. Go show support for those in the community. I know it is something most Americans would be honor to do. Do it for those of us that cant do it!!

I like the idea of taking the BBQ to the people counter protesting. That would be an awesome show of support to the people!!

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D.H.

answers from Louisville on

If you think about it, do you think these loons will get very close to where the pres will be - the Secret Service will be taking care of that and I seriously doubt the 'churchy' nuts would want to be taken out early! ;-)

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D.B.

answers from Charlotte on

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