Westboro Baptist Church Coming Here?!? Oh no.
This letter was forwarded to me as part of the neighborhood watch.
Dear Embry Hills Family,
Many of you are already aware that Embry Hills is scheduled to be a picket site for the Westboro Baptist Church on Saturday, December 13th. The picketers will be here as a result of the memorial service for Keith Jernigan. In light of the information and misinformation that is circulating, I am writing to you to offer the facts and provide a word or two to those of you who plan to worship with the Jernigan family on Saturday.
Westboro Baptist Church is located in Topeka, Kansas, and they are a Primitive Baptist congregation. You can do your own research on the church and its teachings if you wish. I prefer not to grant their ideas any credence here, but it is important for you to know that their presence on Saturday has nothing to do with Embry Hills Church. Westboro Baptist Church monitors the locations of the services for soldiers who die in Afghanistan and Iraq, and their picketers show up wherever those services are held. Their message is vile, cruel and legally protected. According to Captain R.K. Ellison of the DeKalb County Police, the picketers will be located on the sidewalk at the corner of Henderson Mill and Chamblee-Tucker Roads. They plan to picket between 1:00 and 1:45 P.M. on Saturday.
DeKalb County law enforcement officials have been extremely helpful in preparing logistically for the service on Saturday. There will be an appropriate contingent of law enforcement officials to oversee the demonstration and to provide traffic direction, if necessary.
Please be advised that one of the goals of the picketers is to evoke strong responses. My best advice is to ignore them and not to grant them any part of your personal power. This is the brave approach that the Jernigan family is taking; if Toni, Bill and Wade can do that, then surely we can, too. The Jernigans invite you to rise above the protest and to join them in celebrating Keith’s life. There will be no counter-protesters present, by specific request of the Jernigan family. Please honor the Jernigans’ wishes by ignoring the protesters rather than attempting in any way to respond to them. Thankfully, the location of their picket is far more preferable than the sidewalk in front of our building and will make it easier for us to pass by them and even to pray for them in love as we do so. Of course, you can avoid them altogether if you approach the church traveling north on Henderson Mill.
Now, a few words of logistical instruction regarding Saturday.
In order to allow for maximum on-site parking for guests, I am encouraging Embry Hills members to carpool. We expect a sizable congregation for Saturday’s service, a wonderful testament of love for Keith and support for Keith’s family. Please do what you can to use as few spaces as possible.
Please know that “Night in Bethlehem†has been moved indoors, because of the forecast of very cold temperatures. As a result, there will be no access to the building from the Education Wing, and the driveway from the front to the rear of the building will be blocked. You may access the front parking lot from both driveways, but your only access to the rear parking lot will be on the Sanctuary side.
If any of us on the staff can answer any questions for you, please let us know.
I know that we’re all praying for the Jernigan family, and they appreciate it so much.
Embry Hills is very nearby. I don’t know how I will be able to physically restrain myself from going there. The family wishes for them to be ignored, and normally I would respect a family’s wishes. But if they are picketing up the street…
I would really appreciate your opinions. If you were here, what would you do? This may be legally protected, but their actions and messages are wrong and profoundly destructive.
Yes, I do make a judgment here. Jesus might forgive them, but I have a hard time.
They have a thing for funerals, and love to show up for the deaths of gays, soldiers and boy scouts in particular.
I never have agreed with Bush’s war policies, but to blame a soldier for them is wrong. To put the stamp of God on that opinion is more than wrong; it’s a sin against the Spirit of Love, against God. This is how Phelps’ Westboro Baptist Church (and really, it’s wrong to call it Baptist) describes its purpose in protesting the funeral of Keith Jernigan:
12/13/2008 -1:00 PM – 1:45 PM Atlanta -Embry Hills United Methodist Church – Army Corpse, YAY! 3304 Henderson Mill Rd Yikes! God has killed another Army brute! There is nowhere safe for those of you who put on a uniform for this perverse and God-despising nation of hypocrites and whoremongers. You take your life in your own hands, and God is killing your fellow countrymen! Woe be to those in the armed forces of Doomed America! It would have been better that you had not been born/signed up for that foolish cause. There is no protecting a nation that God does not protect (Psalm 128:1)- your watchmen- your marines- your national guard-your air force- your army- your navy- none of them can win this fight against God! RUN FROM THAT FAG-INFESTED and GOD-HATING association of brute beasts! The flag is a piece of cloth; it can not save your souls from the fires of HELL! You had better listen to us, or you will join William K. Jernigan in the Lake of Fire! He ignorantly sinned away his day of Grace and brought WRATH down on his head! America is Doomed! Amen.
I feel the need to do something. Even just make a sign and stand there across the street. Anything. I could peacefully protest with a compelling message, like “Don’t Hate” or “God doesn’t hate” or “Jesus would think you’re a jerk” or just “Love, Peace, Respect.” I can think of any number of things. The fruits of the spirit, maybe, or even something humorous.
Or I could stay home.
I have to make a decision about this. There are several people who read this blog who are very insightful on spiritual and/or political matters. This is a bit of both, and I would like to hear your feedback, thoughts, opinions, perspectives and ideas.
Please comment.
P.S. Wow, that was quick: 
24 thoughts on “Westboro Baptist Church Coming Here?!? Oh no.”
Heidi,
I appreciate your convictions and your passion . . . but this event should be centered on the life of Keith Jernigan . . . and his family has requested that it be that way. They are correct; if you acknowledge the protestors in any way, attention is diverted from Keith to the protestors and their cause. I don’t think you want that. In this instance, observe the Bible passage that says, “Groan quietly.”
Richard
Heidi, Only you can give them the power to effect you. By ignoring them, you remove what power they had… Richard is right, This is a day for Keith. Give him the power, by giving him the attention.
Troy
Ok, you’re both friends, so I hope you won’t be offended. But I don’t know the man who died. For his family and friends, there is a church service, which I’m not going to because I didn’t know him. I don’t feel comfortable with the American sentimentality about death – I won’t call him by his first name, nor does the service have anything to do with my decision except that this group makes things even more difficult for grieving families.
The family and the church have their thoughts, and I can understand their perspective. So far, though, their perspective is not mine, and I’m not convinced. Who knows what the soldier himself would have wanted?
Why not stand across the street, even further from the service, with a sign that shows someone cares enough to have a counter-message of love instead of hate?
I’m willing to be convinced, but it hasn’t happened yet.
I’ve run into the Westboro folks several times during the Gay Pride parades in Atlanta. I usually stand in front of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church with others giving water and providing hospitality (i.e., a place to take a bathroom break) to the marchers. The Westboro folks usually set up their hatemongering signs about a block away from the church. I’ve been tempted to confront them several times but to be honest I don’t think it would accomplish anything. They thrive on hatred, so any argument or confrontation would only fan the flames of their bigotry.
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I am skeptical of this idea that ignoring them deprives them of effect.
I wasn’t thinking about any confrontation or even conversation. I’m not even thinking of trying to convince any of the Westboro followers to change their opinions. Nor am I interested in a debate – I agree that would be futile. I’m thinking of the people coming out of that church, and the cars driving by, and everyone seeing just the hate, just the hate and nothing else.
I’m only thinking of standing down a ways from where they are with a sign that signals something different than their message. Cars going by and seeing their signs of hate would see at least one alternative view. Just letting this kind of stuff go is what got this country – and our churches – into the mess they’re in now.
I think of John Lennon, and Gandhi, and the Dalai Lama, and Jesus. I think of stage theatre, and the satirical group “Billionaires for Bush” (but that won’t work here: people seem too literal-minded for satire – and it would be inappropriate for this occasion anyway). I think of Michael Moore’s old show where he did a series on loving those who hate, and it was full of this kind of thing.
Even knowing I’ll get some flack around here… I’m still not convinced that I should stay home.
What is really the right thing to do?
Providing an alternative view to Westboro’s – that’s what the folks at St. Luke’s (and at St. Mark’s, down the road) do each year. If you feel led to be a peaceful witness with an alternative sign, then I say Go for it!
Darrell Grizzle´s last blog post – Thanksgiving
Dear Heidi,
Since I left the United States because of the Horror of The Viet Nam war, and gave up on all of the sects of Christianity because
so many of their groups revolved around ideologies or focused on issues that Jesus never spoke of, I have very little use for war or hatred in the name of God.
Bearing in mind my particular biases, I believe you should follow your own conscience in this matter. I would focus on the beatitudes and simply post several signs quoting the actual words of Jesus and/or 14 Corinthians.
I definitely agree with you about the horror a stranger would feel when exposed to the rampant hatred displayed by these yahoos and hope that you don’t have a run in with them.
Best wishes,
This sums up nicely my spepticism towards all forms of organized religion. In the grand scheme of things, the “Baptist” preachings of the Rev. Phelps are as valid, or as invalid, as any other “Baptist” preachings. All denominations (that I know of) pick and choose the passages they like from their holy books and ignore that which doesn’t fit their points of view. Way too often, their points of view are formed around hatred.
As for their little get-together…. I’m torn. I understand the family’s wishes, but I also believe that these dirtbags need the attention they are seeking. The people of the Westboro Baptist Church need to be in the discussions of as many of us as we can get them in. I live near a holy roller church, and I am appalled at some of the things I hear about what goes on inside; so much so that I’ve considered attending with a tape recorder.
Maybe that’s the trick. Video the scumbags. It would be especially nice if you could catch them mouthing off.
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Hello
I stumbled across this blog. I am a photographer and have been following them for a while, actually photographing them in different locations. They work like a well oiled machine. Any confrontation is video taped, most are lawyers. Counter demonstrators “anit’s” typcially end up angry and yelling which is what Westboro wants. I work closely with the Patriot Guard riders and without their “shield” at this memorial for this young soldier, please take my advice and just ignore them. I assure you that while Lt. Jernigan is “not just another soldier”, to Westboro, it is just another stop for them. Think long and hard about how you respond to them. They are masters of agitation. Nothing more. Long after they are on the next flight to another city, your frustration and anger will remain. Please feel free to email me with any questions.
Wow, this is deplorable. The only thing that I would like to say is that Westboro Baptist Church and Fred Phelps are a hateful group and an anomaly. They can identify themselves as “Primitive Baptist” all they wish, but know this: Primitive Baptists do not fellowship or associate with this church ( I’ve never heard of anyone that does). There is no national convention among historically white Primitive Baptist Churches (historically black churches do have national associations), so please don’t associate Westboro’s hateful, unsound practices affect your opinions of Primitive Baptists. We are not like this.
While we’re not a uniform group, most Primitive Baptist churches are defined by their doctrines of sovereign grace and the simplicity of their worship service (a cappella singing, prayer, and preaching). I’ve never heard of a church ever engaging in this kind of public campaign of hate.
I’d never heard of Fred Phelps before today. It was saddening to know some people may have read about him and associated his hateful church’s practices with Primitive Baptists. If anyone ever wanted to know about Primitive Baptists, contact me or practically anyone else that proclaims to be a Primitive Baptist…not this man or Westboro’s members.
Chris Edwards
chris.edwards@pbcmail.org
These people will be picketing St. Peter’s Gate and calling Jesus Himself too soft on people. Would it be wrong to ask them to accept some gay porn movies? They should at least see what they’re hating.
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You know what’s interesting? I’m reading through comments above which on the one hand talk about communicating love instead of hate, and then go on to describe the people from Westboro with a plethora of demeaning terms. Let me be clear; I do not sympathize at all with the purpose or cause of those people . . . but still, as I read I’m wondering, “What’s wrong with this picture?”
Richard – The group disrupts funerals and says that God hates people. They are unlikeable. The comments come from a range of perspectives – I would never think that people would agree.
I thrive on thinking/feeling things through from such a range, and I’ve found my perspective and made my choice.
I will go, but I will stand some distance away – holding a sign with a countermessage of love instead of hate. I will be silent. I will not be provoked. I’m familiar with their strategies, and am prepared.
The challenge will be to have the self-discipline to remain silent. It goes against my nature, but it’s the only way to do what I think is the right thing for me to do.
Thanks for the range of thoughts! It really *did* help. 😉
did anyone hassle you while you were their?
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Amanda – No-one hassled me. One guy beeped at me and shook his fist, but it’s possible that he was mad that someone ignored the directive of the church – or even that he confused me with the Westboro group. I didn’t know that they would have yellow signs or I would have picked a different color. The main thing was just some pointing and laughter, a couple of jeers – nothing with any content that I could hear and that made it easier. I’m glad that none of them got up in my face. Although I was as prepared as I could be to maintain silence, it would have been much more challenging to keep my promise to myself.
It took me a few minutes to get grounded, though. At first, I was frowning at them – that must have created a weird cognitive dissonance with the sign of Love (grin). Once I got into the right space, it was easy.
For my first actual protest action, it wasn’t bad.
Oh – and one more thing…. thanks Chris for commenting on the primitive baptist church. I knew that the mainstream baptists had formally disavowed the Westboro group, but the wording from the church letter suggested some conflation with primitive baptists. The clarification is appreciated.
Wow that’s crazy, I grew up a Baptist but the church that I went to preached peace, love and forgiveness. I do not see what good it would do to trample someone who has died.
Heidi–
I also saw some of the Westboro protesters on Sat., Dec. 13. I saw them at the corner of Boulevard and Freedom Parkway. I’m wondering why they were in this particular location. Were they protesting something going on at the MLK Memorial?
they were planning to picket a play here in Canada too on that poor Ryan kid that was killed in Montana by Rednecks cuz he was Gay or had Aids – i do not like Phelps + the Westboro Baptist Flock – they do not wanna show up in my town – frankly I’m surprized nobody has taken them out yet* Peace*
Wow. You are one courageous person. Having spent most of my life in Lawrence, KS, I’m familiar with the Phelps cult and their mind-boggling, so-called-Christian mission of unrestrained bigotry and hate. But back then they focused mainly on funerals of AIDS victims; I didn’t know until now that they went to funerals of soldiers — a breathtakingly inane act, now that they are basically angering both “liberals” and right-wing folks (who are especially reverent with military funerals). Thankfully I’ve never encountered these people: I do not have the strength that you have, to stand silent in full view of such evil; I probably would have mowed them down with my car accidentally on purpose.
I have some sympathy for them in a way – they’re doing what they think is right. I think it’s very uncaring and hateful of them, but that’s the way they’ve been trained to think and believe. It’s not that far off from some other groups. That they are at an extreme makes it easier to identify the problem, that’s all. My purpose was just to offer an alternative message to onlookers.
I seem to be having difficulty submitting this comment, so I’m going to try again. If it comes up twice, feel free to delete the repeat.
It never ceases to amaze me the number of people who think that God supports them in their hatred. The hatred that spews forth from people in the name of God both saddens and sickens me.
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Hey, my brethren! Here’s something that might help. Here’s some KILLER sign ideas and suggestions for a GOOD anti-WBC protest—for a change. http://www.churchofsatanprotestant.com/WBC-Rev.%20Fred%20Phelps'%20Satanic%20Signs.htm
Enjoy, good hunting, Blessed Bea, Andy, Opie and Barney (but not Gomer, ’cause he was a HOMO!)
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