WESTBORO BAPTIST CHURCH

Hundreds of Thousands Call for White House to Name Westboro Baptist Church a Hate Group

Meanwhile, Fox Nation refers to the group as 'Left-Wing Westboro Cult'

Dec 27, 2012 by Lisa Fine

Staff Writer t

Image: AP

Hundreds of thousands of people have signed an online petition to the White House calling for the Kansas-based Westboro Baptist Church to be officially designated as a "hate group."

The groundswell of support for the petition, filed Dec. 14, came after the Westboro group vowed to protest the funerals of victims of the mass-shooting at a Newtown, Conn., elementary school. So far 259,445 people have signed what has turned out to be the most popular petition on the White House's We the People site. Only 25,000 signatures are required to receive an official response from the president, the Huffington Post reports.

Meanwhile, the Fox Nation web site had another label for the group: "Left-Wing Westboro Cult." In a Dec. 20 write-up of a counter-protest held in Newtown, Conn., the Fox Nation article said: "Bikers Turn Out to Protect Newtown Mourners from Left-Wing Westboro Cult," and referred to its leader as "Democrat Fred Phelps." The Fox Nation language is drawing a firestorm of criticism on the internet.

The controversial group is known for picketing funerals of U.S. soldiers, or anyone else killed by what they deem to be "God's judgment." A member of the Westboro Baptist church claimed the elementary school shooting occurred because Connecticut had legalized same-sex marriage, Huffington Post reported.

There are two other petitions on the White House's site requesting that the congregation's tax-exempt status be revoked. Both have also surpassed the 25,000 signature threshold.

Via The Huffington Post and Fox Nation

Like this article? B Vote Up

?	Should Westboro Baptist Church be designated a hate group?

>
Yes

>
No

View results

All : 184

Comments (view in Forum)

Dec '12

DogLady_1

!
It's dispicable what people will do in the name of their god!
- B4 • Vote Up r21 Replies
- r Reply
Post
Dec '12

PoliticalSpice

!
Now i want a "we the people" petition to pull foxs fcc license...
- B3 • Vote Up
- r Reply
Post @PoliticalSpice
Dec '12

kathyparsell

!
@PoliticalSpice
WHY? Because of this, if not odd time to suggest it.
- B Vote Up
- r Reply
Post @kathyparsell
Dec '12

PoliticalSpice

!
@kathyparsell oh, i'd always want a petition to yank the fox news fcc license, it's just an opportune moment to bring it up since fox is labelling the crazy church a left wing venture, seems like a good enough time as any to raise the idea.
- B Vote Up
- r Reply
Post @PoliticalSpice
Dec '12

kathyparsell

!
Cool, just wondering.
- B Vote Up
- r Reply
Post @kathyparsell
Dec '12

DogLady_1

!
@PoliticalSpice - Yeah, only democrat religious nuts hate gay people... and republican religious nuts kill abortion doctors. I can see why fox would want to split that hair...
- B Vote Up
- r Reply
Post @DogLady_1
View all 21 replies >
Dec '12

MarkJM

!
As a Christian, even I think they are ignorant and full of hate...I also call upon the IRS to remove their status as a 501(c) organization that most churches get to claim. In plain English, that means their tax-exempt status should be removed since they so wish to ignorantly involve themselves in political issues (protesting funerals and the such)...
- B9 • Vote Up r13 Replies
- r Reply
Post
Dec '12

malpaso

!
The most serious problem is that when you allow the federal, or anyother government, then you are allowing them to subragate the First Ammendment. Are they hateful and wrong? Sure as hell! But, you have to deal with them from an individual basis, in other words when they are out doing their crap...deal with them.
- B1 • Vote Up
- r Reply
Post @malpaso
Dec '12

ConserveUSA

!
This group is another "Tony Alamo" group and I would keep them under radar. I am so sick of Radicals!
- B Vote Up
- r Reply
Post @ConserveUSA
Dec '12

Denizen_Kate

!
@malpaso - this petition isn't an effort to silence them, just to have the government label them as what they are.
- B4 • Vote Up
- r Reply
Post @Denizen_Kate
Dec '12

malpaso

!
@Denizen_Kate still, once you allow government to become involved you begin that long slide down the slippery slope. When modern government becomes involved in a minor way, they can't seem to stop until they have taken it over completely "for our own good"
- B Vote Up
- r Reply
Post @malpaso
Dec '12

MarkJM

!
@malpaso There are plenty of hate groups that are still protected under the First Amendment (KKK, Skinheads, Neo-Nazis, Black Panthers, etc. etc. etc.). It's not about taking away their First Amendment rights, it's about calling them for who they really are. They call themselves Christians, yet they act as if they are hatemongers. In the same respect, when "churches" such as WBC start protesting military funerals with such drivel as "God Hates F*GS" and "Thank God for Dead Americans", to me that becomes political (which is prohibited under 501(c) guidelines for tax-exemption). So yes, I stand by my comment, they are not a church, but a hate group and they should lose their 501(c) tax-exemption status.
- B7 • Vote Up
- r Reply
Post @MarkJM
View all 13 replies >
Dec '12

Jeff_Woehrle

!
Westboro's founder is a democrat.
- B2 • Vote Up r35 Replies
- r Reply
Post
Dec '12

DogLady_1

!
Westboro's founder is a democrat. So? He's a hateful moron blasphemer, and THAT is the problem!
- B1 • Vote Up
- r Reply
Post @DogLady_1
Dec '12

PoliticalSpice

!
Wayne gacy, the child molesting, serial killer, was a republican. Do you also suppose that is relevant?
- B3 • Vote Up
- r Reply
Post @PoliticalSpice
Dec '12

PNWest

!
@PoliticalSpice So was Ted Bundy. About the same level of relevance.
- B2 • Vote Up
- r Reply
Post @PNWest
Dec '12

PNWest

!
@PoliticalSpice Actually John Wayne Gacy was a democrat.
- B Vote Up
- r Reply
Post @PNWest
Dec '12

PoliticalSpice

!
@PNWest no, read a book about hom, he was a republican, supported local repub candidates, and my point, in case you missed it was it had no relevence, I was contrasting it to @jeff_woehrle statement that the wacko church founder was a dem.
- B Vote Up
- r Reply
Post @PoliticalSpice
View all 36 replies >
Dec '12

FFX_VA

!
According to the FBI, a hate group's "primary purpose is to promote animosity, hostility, and malice against persons belonging to a race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or ethnicity/national origin which differs from that of the members of the organization." So the shoe fits.
- B6 • Vote Up r3 Replies
- r Reply
Post
u
Dec '12

EMS_Servant

!
You took the words right out of my mouth.
- B Vote Up
- r Reply
Post @EMS_Servant
Dec '12

FFX_VA

!
@EMS_Servant ...and I took them right out of the FBI's mouth :D
- B Vote Up
- r Reply
Post @FFX_VA
u
Dec '12

TeresaJ

!
I disagree with calling anyone a hate group, because it's too easy a label to throw around. However, if you are going to label this one a hate group, better add the Freedom From Religion Foundation to the list.
- B Vote Up
- r Reply
Post @TeresaJ
Dec '12

PNWest

!
Leave it to Fox "News" to label this hateful group as "left wing".
- B2 • Vote Up r24 Replies
- r Reply
Post
Dec '12

ConserveUSA

!
I myself do not see this hate group as being "left wing". I see this group as a mental case. They are Anti-Semitic (I heard the leader referring Jewish People as Scum on a documentary) and I would keep these crazy people on radar. I know as Americans disagree on politics but hatred is not the answer. Westboro is another type of Psychotic Tony Alamo group of hate.
- B2 • Vote Up
- r Reply
Post @ConserveUSA
o
Dec '12

Barack_Blocker

!
Fred Phelps is a democrat. What else would he be labeled?

"Phelps has run in various Kansas Democratic Party primaries five times, but has never won."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fred_Phelps#Poli...

Just because you don't like the FACTS that Fox news reports, doesn't make them any less true...
- B4 • Vote Up
- r Reply
Post @Barack_Blocker
Dec '12

PNWest

!
@ConserveUSA I'm glad to see a conservative tell it like it is. These a$$hats are not liberal or conservative - just a bunch of hateful idiots.
- B2 • Vote Up
- r Reply
Post @PNWest
Dec '12

ConserveUSA

!
@PNWest We are Americans my friend and hate is not the answer.
- B2 • Vote Up
- r Reply
Post @ConserveUSA
Dec '12

PNWest

!
@Barack_Blocker I doubt that you know this but anyone with the filling fee and enough signatures can run in any primary they like. As your own quote shows he never won because democrats (and yes even republicans) reject his kind of hateful rhetoric.
- B1 • Vote Up
- r Reply
Post @PNWest
View all 25 replies >
Dec '12

Neo_NtheMatrix

!
As with most liberal organizations, I would say that yes Westboro should be labeled a hate group. How disgusting and disrespectful is it for them to protest at the funeral of soldiers who died overseas to protect their freedoms. Westboro Baptist Church operates in the true fashion of a liberal hate group.
- B Vote Up r12 Replies
- r Reply
Post
Dec '12
Post Removed by Moderators
Dec '12

Neo_NtheMatrix

!
@Cheenoguy - Liberals preach tolerance in one breath and practice discrimination in the other. You see it all around, even though you won't testify.
- B Vote Up
- r Reply
Post @Neo_NtheMatrix
u
Dec '12

Cheenoguy

!
@Neo_NtheMatrix
Trying to flee from the fact that your hatred and prejudices against homosexuals only differs from WBC in that you don't spout it at funerals?
I try to be tolerate of everyone but bigots who refuse to respect other people's lifestyles and/or religion, liars, and people who hurt others for any reason other then self-defense.
- B1 • Vote Up
- r Reply
Post @Cheenoguy
Dec '12

VCP

!
Wow Neo some things never change. Westboro is an ultra conservative group and by any measure you use they are a hate group. In fact a lot of their views are the same ones that you express on a daily basis.
- B3 • Vote Up
- r Reply
Post @VCP
Dec '12

Neo_NtheMatrix

!
@VCP - Yes they are a hate group. The founder and leader of the group is a registered Democrat. Now, let's hear those views they express that I promote on a daily basis.
- B Vote Up
- r Reply
Post @Neo_NtheMatrix
View all 14 replies >
Dec '12

Granny_Grey

!
I agree that their stance is hateful and they appear to be off-balance. However, the Constitution goes both ways. They are allowed to voice their opinions no matter how distasteful we find them.
- B1 • Vote Up r2 Replies
- r Reply
Post
o
Dec '12

madsgk00

!
However, there should be some limit of decency that prohibits them from disrespecting mourning families in the manner that they do.
- B Vote Up
- r Reply
Post @madsgk00
Dec '12

hwyangel

!
Well said. I value my freedom to speak enough to tolerate them. I think they are getting way too much attention. Everyone already knows they are off in the head and circus show is getting old now.
- B Vote Up
- r Reply
Post @hwyangel
Dec '12

RoyFloyd

!
Fred Phelps calls himself a Democrat and a Christian, all the more reason for Democrats and/or Christians to condemn him.
- B2 • Vote Up
- r Reply
Post
Dec '12

DARSB

!
We can label these guys any way we like, but they have a constitutional right to express their bizarre beliefs - just as others have a right to form human chains between WBC and the funerals of soldiers and children.
- B Vote Up
- r Reply
Post
o
Dec '12

Barack_Blocker

!
Yet another power grab for the Husseien administration. If this comes to throughition, it will set a shocking precedent - any religion that Hussien Obama disagree with can and will be deemed a "hate group" and will lose their their tax exempt status. So what's next? Any church that is againt homosexuality or gay marriage? A slippery slope folks...
- B Vote Up r1 Reply
- r Reply
Post
Dec '12

Keyjo

!
This is an online petition. This is NOT an Obama administration "power grab." This is one of MANY online petitions.
- B Vote Up
- r Reply
Post @Keyjo
o
Dec '12

Barack_Blocker

!
But on a side note, I'll go along with this with full support just as long as muslims a re designated a hate group too.
- B1 • Vote Up r1 Reply
- r Reply
Post
Dec '12

RoyFloyd

!
Nobody is saying that Christians should be designated as a hate group, but rather the Westboro Baptist scumbags. The vast majority of Christians hold reasonable views, but there are a few haters. Same with Muslims, Jews, Hindus, Agnostics or believers of whatever other religion or non-religion.
- B1 • Vote Up
- r Reply
Post @RoyFloyd
Dec '12

justapirate

!
The 'law' keeps protecting this bunch of animals. Methinks it's time for the 'law' to go have a cup of coffee.
- B2 • Vote Up
- r Reply
Post
Dec '12
Post Removed by Moderators
Dec '12

Dan_Tien

!
I don't see how any church group that protests against homosexuality could seriously be called left-wing or liberal. except as a way to label the Westboro Baptist Church as "them" instead of "us". On the other hand, I have not heard the WBC call for violence or killing of anyone, which is common with hate groups. However, I have heard of violence and murder committed by members of some anti-abortion groups, and there has been no talk about naming any of them hate groups.
- B Vote Up
- r Reply
Post
Dec '12

jessejaymes

!
If it weren't so sad it would be funny. The right calls their own bad guys "liberal plants" and calls Westboro "liberals". Do you suppose Phelps might be calling himself a Democrat to smear the Dems? I do. But I'm mature and adult enough to see WBC for what they are. A Cult. As much as I dislike both the far right and far left these are not political people. This is a hate cult. Nothing more.
- B2 • Vote Up
- r Reply
Post
o
Dec '12

Barack_Blocker

!
I just love seeing all the lefties cry foul when some crazy person or hate group is labeled "left wing extremist" every once in a blue moon, yet the're foaming at the mouth cheering on MSNBC, NBC, CNN, The NY Times, etc whenever they make knee-jerk reactions to label crazy mass shooters as "right wing extremist". The hypocricy never ceases to amaze...
- B Vote Up r4 Replies
- r Reply
Post
o
Dec '12

woodtick57

!
You really think this group follows any of the tenets of the 'left wing' of our poilitical spectrum? Do you think any of them vote democratic or other left wing parties?
- B Vote Up
- r Reply
Post @woodtick57
o
Dec '12

Barack_Blocker

!
@woodtick57 Fred Phelps is a registered democrat.

NBC : Republican = right-wing extremists

FOX : Democrat = left-wing extremists

Seems fair to me. And aren't you lefties all about everyone getting their fair share?
- B Vote Up
- r Reply
Post @Barack_Blocker
o
Dec '12

woodtick57

!
@Barack_Blocker

What makes you think I'm a 'lefty'? So you do think most of the members of the church would vote "left'? Really? Why would you think that?
- B Vote Up
- r Reply
Post @woodtick57
u
Dec '12

mtkopf

!
@Barack_Blocker while Fred Phelps has run for political office as a Democrat his views can hardly be considered left wing. He is anti-America. He had referred to Obama as the Antichrist. He demonstrated in Baghdad against america, bill and Hillary, and anal sex. His views were not left wing nor right wing, they were just crazy.
- B Vote Up
- r Reply
Post @mtkopf
Dec '12

sittinduck

!
I think homosexuality is a sin too,but the folks of this so called church are fanatics! Their protests at the funerals of our fallen troops, or anyone's funeral is just despicable.
- B3 • Vote Up
- r Reply
Post
Dec '12
Post Removed by Moderators
Dec '12
Post Removed by Moderators
u
Dec '12

mtkopf

!
I'm starting my own church too, First American Church of the NFL. Services start at kickoff on Sundays in my family room and consist of watching my favorite team while consuming Miller High Life. Now how do I get my tax exempt status? Anybody wanna join?
- B Vote Up r5 Replies
- r Reply
Post
o
Dec '12

woodtick57

!
If you get one person to join, you will be the fastest growing religion on the planet.

Get better beer and I might join.
- B Vote Up
- r Reply
Post @woodtick57
u
Dec '12

ZappaCrappa

!
I'm in. The collection plate is passed for the beer fund I assume? And afterwards, we can go out in your driveway and talk trash and gossip about everyone else that was there. It'll be just like real church.
- B Vote Up
- r Reply
Post @ZappaCrappa
o
Dec '12

woodtick57

!
@ZappaCrappa Is that what people at churches do? Figures...
- B Vote Up
- r Reply
Post @woodtick57
u
Dec '12

mtkopf

!
@ZappaCrappa don't forget any donations to your church are tax deductible.
- B1 • Vote Up
- r Reply
Post @mtkopf
Dec '12
Post Removed by Moderators
View all 6 replies >
Dec '12

dwpgh92

!
"Live your life in such a way that Westboro Baptist Church would want to protest your funeral."
- B4 • Vote Up r1 Reply
- r Reply
Post
Dec '12

jamie91

!
LOL, true goals:)
- B Vote Up
- r Reply
Post @jamie91
R Load more comments...

Politix

Should Westboro Baptist Church be designated a hate group?

Should Westboro Baptist Church be designated a hate group?