A Change of Plans for Westboro Church

We at Holier Than Thou have discussed Rev. Fred Phelps’ Westboro Baptist Church’s practice of protesting and heckling military families at the funerals of soldiers killed in Iraq. These fallen patriots, it claims, were killed by God Almighty to punish America for tolerating homosexuality.

Thus, it came as a surprise that the church — which carries signs that read “God Made IEDs,” “God Hates Your Tears” and “Thank God for Dead Soldiers” — recently CANCELLED planned protests at funerals in Oklahoma, Indiana, Missouri and Wisconsin.

So why did the church change its plans?

A) The church members finally came to their senses.
B) Because David Phelps, grandson of Rev. Fred Phelps, was himself recently killed in Iraq
C) These states recently passed laws outlawing the protesting at funerals
D) Running low of funds, the church could not raise enough gas money to make the trips.



ANSWER
C: No, sadly, the church members did not come to their senses, realize what a reprehensible and acutely un-Christianly thing they were doing and pray for forgiveness for their sins. They simply didn’t want to be arrested in states that now outlaw their activities.

Said a church spokesman, “We obey the law.”

That said, the church is also considering a legal challenge to the law, which they claim denies them their First Amendment rights.