Joplin, MO Devastated By Tornado, Now Faces Hate Group

The best anti-WBC action I saw was when they were here in SF.  Protestors of the WBC mingled among the WBC protestors carrying their own signs that said things such as "God Hates Kittens," and "This is a Sign."  The protestors were cheerful and unthreatening but got their message across, which eventually so angered the WBC that they left.   I would suggest a sign that says "God Hates People Who Hate."   But God Hates Kittens is pretty dang good.

A few months ago, Westboro Baptist came to my town to protest a local high school's production of The Laramie Project. As a lebian, a theater lover, and someone who just *happens* to own a bunch of sign-making supplies and a pink sparkly cowboy hat, I knew I had to do something.

To my delight, I wasn't the only one with this idea. I rounded up a bunch of friends, we made picket signs ("I'm Covered In Bees!" "Beware the Gays, for They Have Glitter" "Popcorn Is Snacktastic", etc) and we showed up at the school - to find that many others had also come with signs, hula hoops, bubbles, and endless camaraderie and love. In total there were about 100 of us, not counting the biker group that came to drown out any messages of hate with their revving engines.

It was a great day. It ended up a sort of impromptu street festival/rally, with people in all sort of fantastic costumes. We all made new friends that day, and what was for me even more heartening was that of all the messages on all the signs, the overwhelming majority were positive. We weren't returning hate for hate. Thanks to WBC, our Maryland community became even stronger! Without them, this little rally would never have happened. I think that was the most fun I'd had all semester.

As for the Westboro Baptists, well, they never got off their bus. =D

 In the chaos and uncertainty of these days, I am holding you and your community in prayer.  You will grieve this great loss and the immensity of the change may overwhelm you, yet I believe that you are my beloved brothers and sisters.  May wholeness and healing be yours.   Pastor Kathy

I'm a native of Girard, Kansas, just 50 miles from Joplin.  Members of my extended family and friends were directly affected by the storm in a variety of ways.  I want the folks of Joplin to know that the prayers of so many of us across the country surround them, and more tangible gifts are heading their way.  I just hope and pray that God will be at work in the hearts of the folks from Westboro Baptist so that they can take an honest look at themselves, and perhaps a new compassion for others.

 We grieve with you your losses and hold your community in prayer for healing and recovery.  As for the WBC please know, they are not Christians, or a church and they do not speak God's word.  The strongest and best response I have seen to this group is when community comes together with angel wings, turns their backs to the WBC and remains silent.  The wings block the hate filled signs, turning your back and remaining silent denies them the attention they want.  And it speaks volumes to them and others that we will not stand for their hate in our communities.  Just hope the media will then focus on the positive response and not even show the WBC!

A friend came up with the idea to come to their picket line with Camera Crew in tow and offer them trash bags to help with the clean up.  Instead of just standing around, maybe they can be helpful. 

Our hearts go out to the whole town.  The planned Westboro Baptist Church  action is an unnecessary gesture that attempts to turn tragedy into political publicity.  The best possible counterattack is the peaceful counter-protest; do not engage in debate or shouting contests -- that's what they want.  All the above ideas are good.

Obama is coming to help.

WBC is coming to obstruct.

I've got NO problem figuring out which I support.

 Thanks for the support! I'm a resident of Baxter Springs, Kansas, just minutes away from Joplin. My husband was at work on Rangeline Road when the tornado struck...waiting to find him were some of the worst hours of my life! Thankfully, we were lucky and he is ok. So many of our friends and loved ones were not so lucky and my heart has cried for them since that day.

I will be there to support my community and to pay my respect to the heroes of this tragedy! Please help to keep the positive and uplifting stories in the news.  Tragedy should bring us closer and send waves of love rippling throughout our community...not breed hatred. If you have the  strength or time to spare, please do NOT waste it on these individuals. They are worthy only of your pity! Find a way to invest yourself in the support and the rebuilding of Joplin.

We're a strong community, and all of us will only come away from this stronger and more aware of how precious our lives are.

Hugs from the Four States!

 Thanks for the support! I'm a resident of Baxter Springs, Kansas, just minutes away from Joplin. My husband was at work on Rangeline Road when the tornado struck...waiting to find him were some of the worst hours of my life! Thankfully, we were lucky and he is ok. So many of our friends and loved ones were not so lucky and my heart has cried for them since that day.

I will be there to support my community and to pay my respect to the heroes of this tragedy! Please help to keep the positive and uplifting stories in the news.  Tragedy should bring us closer and send waves of love rippling throughout our community...not breed hatred. If you have the  strength or time to spare, please do NOT waste it on these individuals. They are worthy only of your pity! Find a way to invest yourself in the support and the rebuilding of Joplin.

We're a strong community, and all of us will only come away from this stronger and more aware of how precious our lives are.

Hugs from the Four States!

We have watched with great sadness the tragedy of the big storms and now the strange distraction of sick beliefs and behaviors by a handful of twisted people.. We wish you good luck and solidarity as you rebuild. You are strong and they are crazy. Love from the center of Europe...

I saw the Westboro "Baptists" in Key West a few years ago, holding signs with their warped messages. The gays (I'm straight) simply held hands and chanted "Westboro go home." The people of Joplin have at least as much strength as the people of Key West, I am certain. What I would truly like to see is that "preacher's" children publically repent and join a real church before they truly do go to hell. Christ will forgive them.

I WON'T.

     Not  everyone " LIKES the current PRESIDENT OF our "UNITED"States of America,...nor is that  even neccesary.......but .what  IS neccesary  for the PEOPLE of this Country is to SHOW ...to OUR  PRESIDENT, and to the other Countries of the World...(and each other ) is a basic level of RESPECT !!

       Apparently, some of us forget that we ELECT our Presidents...they DO NOT make THE decisions for our Country ALONE.....therefore WHY hate ONE man alone ??? Would the President receive MORE (or perhaps LESS) hate if he didn't visit Joplin ??

        Perhaps our schools should include more EDUCATION concerning this subject in our Schools ?

     HATE is the result of  FEAR...and FEAR is the result of IGNORANCE..... EVERY person that calls this Country home should SHOW Respect to our ELECTED leader.....regardless of personal feelings -------AMBER L. SEALE-CRAWFORD

 Such a shame that the poison of hate is being interjected into an area that should be getting prayers for healing and strength. WBC, go home and learn what Christianity truely is!

 Joplin area communities, please be assured that we here on the East Coast are praying for you and sending our love to you each day!

Well as a Topekan i am ashamed of the WBC and yes they are a church but not endorsed by the baptist council or any other church here or any where to go to that church you have to be a member of their family if you go they send you a letter saying thanks for coming but don't come back.  we have to put up with the signs and all everyday here.  is hard to explain to my kids what it means and why the signs are there.  but god does not hate anyone or anything he loves us all no matter what and on this memorial day is good to remember the ones that were lost and not give the WBC any type of attention.  think it is a good idea to do the angel wings heard that worked really good and many many thanks to the Patriot Guard for all the work they do to block the WBC from events and funerals if you don't know who the Patriot Guard is they are the guys and gals on the motorcycles that go all over to show support for fallen soldiers at their funerals and to help block protestors from the familys so they can have their peace.  but any way our hearts and prays go out to the people in and around joplin.  be strong you will make it back take heart and remember if Greensburg Kansas can rebuild and rebound so can you.

 What will happen the day God has decided that he has had enough of WBC and sends a tornado thru his community?  I can sure bet that he and his followers will be asking and wanting help with whatever they can get.  I saw a article recently that I agree with 100%.....The clan of WBC has to eat, drive and have untilities to survive...if everyone bans together and refuses to serve them, what will happen?  If he or one of his family falls ill and has to go to a doctor?  I know many doctors have treated gay and/or lesibians, but would that taint  his opinion of thier experterise or would he let one of his own suffer or die because of it?  No shoes, no service, no God....NO WAY.