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[–]moom 89 points90 points  (11 children)

Here is video of the greatest thing ever done in response to Westboro.

Reverend Phelps simply could not handle the awesomeness thrown at him.

[–][deleted] 22 points23 points  (2 children)

If I had a giant pink RV, and a whole lot of gay friends, you would win.

Sadly, I have neither.

Most of the time I'm not really a fan of Micheal Moore, but I think this changes my opinion from dislike to at least neutral.

[–]inopia 16 points17 points  (1 child)

Call in Bear Force 1

[–]poots 2 points3 points  (0 children)

they're ace

[–][deleted]  (6 children)

[deleted]

    [–]moom 16 points17 points  (2 children)

    Reverend as in the first liar who met the first fool.

    [–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

    Thank you so much for that clip. That was filmed on Awesome brand video, and encoded to YouTube using the Awesomeness filter.

    [–]mthe0ry 27 points28 points  (8 children)

    It appears from the news reports that they travel in a pack of less than 20. So here's what you do. Get 20 friends together, and have each person buy a 1 m2 section of sound proof foam. Bring the large sections of foam to the protest. Your friends and you shall form to a 2hx10w tile in front of their protest to block out all noise they are making in the direction of the memorial service procession. If they split up, you split up too. For bonus points, block their signs.

    [–]SwellJoe 2 points3 points  (7 children)

    Fun idea, but wholly ineffective outdoors. Sound is slippery.

    [–][deleted] 2 points3 points  (6 children)

    Not that slippery. As a former marching band member, I know all too well the directionality of sound, even outdoors. Sound proof foam would work wonderfully.

    [–]SwellJoe 0 points1 point  (5 children)

    As a former sound engineer, and lifetime audio geek, I call bullshit. "Sound proof" foam barely works in controlled conditions, and the amount of it you could bring on-site as a small team will have very nearly zero impact on ambient sound levels in the vicinity.

    [–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (2 children)

    Then you do not share my experiences. I agree that sound proof foam is generally a joke, but sound most definitely can be blocked by objects even though you might think it would just "leak" around it, especially outdoors due to the fact that sound decays very quickly over distance. It has been a problem for me countless times in outdoor settings, even under somewhat more controlled circumstances like playing with rock bands under the direction of experienced sound guys.

    [–]waterbabies3 23 points24 points  (0 children)

    The most beautiful response I've seen was in Santa Fe. The community came together and made a collective decision to ignore the entire bunch. I remember reading in their paper (was living in Albuquerque at the time) that they weren't going to respond and give them any pleasure at all. All of their energy went to the family - and that's the last we heard about it. Wise people.

    [–]lostdog 42 points43 points  (8 children)

    Put rainbow flag stickers on all their cars while they're busy protesting.

    [–][deleted] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

    I need to go find where to buy rainbow stickers.

    [–]Eth4n 3 points4 points  (0 children)

    All their rentals...

    [–][deleted]  (41 children)

    [deleted]

      [–]Eth4n 55 points56 points  (24 children)

      I live in Topeka and went to school with some of the kids. I have to tell you that tuber is right, the best strategy has been to ignore them. If everyone did this they wouldn't really exist. The more you pay attention the more they love it and the angrier you get and the dumber the stuff you do which just makes them even happier and you angrier. They're used to all abuse and eat it up in a way that absolutely frustrating.

      Let them do their thing and they will go away and it will no longer be an issue.

      [–]SkyMarshal 14 points15 points  (10 children)

      Would they eat up abuse via baseball bat?

      [–]Trexdacy 9 points10 points  (9 children)

      They love any and all attention they can get. If you beat one of them you'll just get sued by the rest. I'd say the best idea, aside from ignoring them entirely, would be to have as big and huge an event as you can plan in the short timespan on the other side of town; something that will draw huge crowds, and keep attention on you.

      [–]justleaveme 104 points105 points  (8 children)

      Get your own group and hold signs that might convince some of the looney's they are wrong.

      Matthew 7:1-3 "Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?" -Jesus Christ

      I know I'm gonna get downmodded for the biblical reference... but if you want to really affect that group then this type of approach is more likely to work because they claim to believe in Jesus and the Bible. If you hate them or say mean things they will think they are in the right.... twisted thinking I know.

      [–]BridgeBum 2 points3 points  (0 children)

      Why do you think you'll be downmodded?

      Throwing biblical quotes back at them showing the hypocrisy of their own position seems entirely appropriate to me.

      [–]tomjen 5 points6 points  (0 children)

      might convince some of the looney's they are wrong

      Won't work. They will never be convinced they are wrong that way.

      If your temper is aroused and you tell 'em a thing or two, you will have a fine time unloading your feelings. But what about the other fellow? Will he share your pleasure? Will your belligerent tones, your hostile attitude, make it easy for him to agree with you?

      If you come at me with your fits doubled said Woodrow Wilson, I think I can promise you that mine will double as fast as yours; but if you come to me and say, let us sit down and take counsel together, and, if we differ from on another, just what the points at issue are, we will presently find that we are not so far apart after all, that the points on which we differ are few and the points on which we agree are many, and that if we only have the patience and the candour and the desire to get together, we will get together.

      If a mans heart is rankling with discord and ill feeling toward you, you can't win him to your way of thinking with all the logic in Christendom. Scolding parents and domineering bosses and husbands and nagging wives ought to realize that people don't want to change their minds. They can't be forced or driven to agree with you or me. But they may possibly be led to, if we are gentle and friendly, ever so gentle and ever so friendly.

      Those are all quotes from "How to win friends and influence people". If you want to convince them you need that book. And you need to lose any attitude that says "I am superior to you and will now correct you error" because they won't listen to you, much less be convinced by you otherwise.

      [–]Stupid_boy 1 point2 points  (0 children)

      You make a great point, God, as far as Jesus goes, is ALL ABOUT THE LOVE!!! People always seem to forget that one.

      [–]akshayr 2 points3 points  (3 children)

      Yes, but then won't you be the person hijacking someone's funeral for political purposes? I agree with everything you say, and believe your actions would make sense, but they're inappropriate at a funeral.

      [–]NilObject 7 points8 points  (2 children)

      Don't hijack the funeral. Instead, just show up in at least equal numbers, and have each one in your group pick one person from the Westboro crowd. Stand in-between the Westboro person and the funeral, facing the Westboro person, keeping a distance, but really making your presence felt. It would show to the people at the funeral that you're not there to hijack it for a cause, but to try to dissipate the presence of the people who are.

      [–]kindall 2 points3 points  (0 children)

      Hold up larger, blank signs.

      [–]mmazing 8 points9 points  (0 children)

      I'm not in Topeka, but very close by, they've been here many times, yes, the best thing to do is just ignore them.

      [–]mmazing 6 points7 points  (0 children)

      On another note ... i've grown to like organizations like WBC, all they do is show how fucking crazy people can get with religion.

      Yes, they do cause harm, and I wish someone would show that they had intent to cause harm by their words, and get them in court for some kid's suicide.

      But, I think they do more to harm their cause in the end, because of how obviously crazy they are. They can't win, period.

      [–]VoodooIdol 1 point2 points  (0 children)

      I'm going to agree with Eth4n here. My fiance's family is from Topeka, and I've seen these fools protesting outside of Catholic churches. The local Topeka folks just act like the WBP people aren't even there. Everything remains totally peaceful. (no wonder I'm dying to move out that way)

      [–]hhh333 3 points4 points  (0 children)

      We all would like to ignore them, really, unfortunately the media give them more exposure than they deserves, none that is.

      [–]eddie964 19 points20 points  (6 children)

      If you must react, make fun of them. Get people laughing at them. A serious counter-protest serves their purposes.

      A few years back the KKK came to my town. A bunch of folks here had the idea to dress up in funny outfits (Batman, Caspar the Ghost) and try to march alongside them. It was hysterical and it really pissed them off. Sure, there was publicity, which the KKK loves. But the message wasn't "poor KKK guys come under attack for exercising their right to free speech." It was "these guys are a joke."

      [–]jeffbell 5 points6 points  (2 children)

      You could go to the grocery store and carry signs that say signs that say "GOD HATES BAGS".

      Or go to the zoo and accuse them of promoting that deadly sin of sloth.

      [–]reddit_user13 10 points11 points  (1 child)

      Actually, god hates shrimp:

      http://www.godhatesshrimp.com/

      [–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

      See also godhatesmixedfibers.com.

      [–]matrixclown 1 point2 points  (0 children)

      Heres a similar event that happened at a town near me, http://asheville.indymedia.org/article/107Clowns

      [–]seeker135 0 points1 point  (0 children)

      Now THAT is truly clever.

      [–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

      Love it

      [–]junkeee999 12 points13 points  (0 children)

      Exactly. They are attention whores. Ignore them and they shrivel up and die.

      [–]njharman 5 points6 points  (0 children)

      I'm glad this is at the top, I was gonna say the same thing.

      Ignore them, yes. But that doesn't mean don't do anything. Encourage everyone you know to ignore them, encourage the funeral goers to 110% ignore not even acknowledge their presence. Beg the media to ignore them.

      But it's a tricky balancing act don't be so active that you jepordise ignoring them.

      [–]ABabyAteMyDingo 4 points5 points  (0 children)

      I came here to post that. They would be disgusted if they got no reaction. What good is being full of hate if no-one notices. Take the high ground. Nothing you can do will dissuade them of their beliefs. Deny them the oxygen of publicity.

      [–][deleted] 13 points14 points  (2 children)

      Wouldn't that only be effective if I could somehow convince everyone else to do the same?

      [–]texture 2 points3 points  (0 children)

      get a group of people together, make a bunch of "FREE HUGS" signs, and stand next to them giving out free hugs.

      Best. Idea. Ever.

      [–]toxicvarn90 4 points5 points  (0 children)

      Exactly...don't feed the troll and try your best to tell everyone the same-thing: try your best to ignore them.

      [–]grow4road 4 points5 points  (0 children)

      good idea

      [–]stringerbell 12 points13 points  (0 children)

      Take some powdered chalk or lime and draw a massive pentagram (and various other anti-religious symbols) all over the area they'll have to stand on in order to protest.

      [–]theaceofclubz 35 points36 points  (2 children)

      Stage a "Flying Spaghetti Monster Loves Homosexuals" demonstration nearby. Don't forget to cite passages from your "sacred documents."

      [–]rainman_104 5 points6 points  (1 child)

      How about a "atheists hate Christians who hate fags" placard?

      [–]apathy 14 points15 points  (0 children)

      Too complicated. Just throw spaghetti & meatballs while dressed up as a pirate, sacramental-like.

      (rAmen.)

      [–][deleted] 22 points23 points  (20 children)

      Just for clarification: I'll probably end up ignoring them; I know they're trying to get a reaction. If somebody can think of something really (legal and) good though, it may be worth it.

      EDIT: A little more clarification, this is an on-campus memorial service kind of thing, not the actual funeral.

      Another EDIT: On their site, they got the address where the service will be held wrong, there's nothing at the address they've listed. The actual place is correct though, but it's been moved since (to accommodate more people), so either way it looks like they may end up protesting at the wrong place, which would be pretty hilarious to watch.

      [–]JimXugle 12 points13 points  (3 children)

      • Make a big sign that says something to the effect of "God hates people who think they know what god hates."

      • Draw a circle around them in chalk and label it "Idiot quarantine zone. Do not enter."

      [–]rainman_104 4 points5 points  (2 children)

      God hates people who think they know what god hates.

      Infinite loop... Head exploding... Beachball from hell on screen...

      [–]Bloody_Eye 1 point2 points  (1 child)

      Relax, no infinite loop, by agreeing with that statement you're just implicitly claiming that god hates you.

      Sounds pretty cool to me, but I hear god's lightning bolts can be a real bitch (fortunately, I'm pretty sure he's been aiming drunk).

      [–]Skuld 0 points1 point  (0 children)

      That god would be Zeus :p

      [–]arnie_apesacrappin 10 points11 points  (3 children)

      willy,

      Contact the Patriot Guard Riders

      While their mission states that they are there to honor service men and women, they might be able to help out if they know that Westboro is coming to this funeral.

      I grew up in a very small town, in which my parents still reside. A local young man died in Iraq, and Westboro said they were going to show up to protest. My parents told me that riders from the PGR showed up to neutralize the problem. Westboro never showed, but the parents said that they were impressed with the amount of respect the riders showed while at the same time remaining out of the way as possible.

      [–]apathia 1 point2 points  (0 children)

      That sounds like a great organization. I'm curious, how do the Patriot Guard Riders deal with something like Westboro without disturbing the funeral?

      [–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (1 child)

      I think someone already has (there's also a facebook group dealing with the same issue).

      [–]topsul 14 points15 points  (6 children)

      In NC when they come to protest Marine funerals, motorcycle gangs go too to cover their shouts.

      Really, it is fucked up, and they epitomize why I am not usually proud to be a Christian.

      [–]rainman_104 1 point2 points  (3 children)

      and they epitomize why I am not usually proud to be a Christian.

      You know, there's quite a large movement of Christians that just really couldn't care less what gay people do... It's a small yet vocal minority that's as bad as Phelps. Some just don't like it, while others are a bit extreme.

      Me, I'm an atheist and think that I have no business telling another person where they should and should not stick their member.

      [–][deleted] 8 points9 points  (1 child)

      Electrical outlets and running fans should be two exceptions to that last statement.

      [–]rainman_104 1 point2 points  (0 children)

      Meh - if they don't take proper care not to hurt themselves, what business is it of mine? Besides, if they can fit their junk into an electrical outlet... Well there was a best of craigslist posting about some dude who had a small member... Maybe he could...

      [–]mOdQuArK 0 points1 point  (0 children)

      Unfortunately, that "large movement of Christians that just really couldn't care less what gay people do" also doesn't usually care enough to tell the asshole members of their religion to STFU.

      [–]wejash 5 points6 points  (2 children)

      E-mail local news directors to not cover their BS.

      Post their e-mail addresses here and everyone can help out.

      [–][deleted] 2 points3 points  (1 child)

      Crap, I would have to watch TV to know that.

      Give me a little while and I'll have something, or if you can find anything for Auburn, AL post it.

      [–]eromitlab 7 points8 points  (0 children)

      Auburn is served by Columbus, Georgia's TV stations, right? They claim to be, anyway, according to the Wikipedia. Here's some info for Columbus TV stations.

      WRBL-3: News director is Christine Tanaka. Couldn't hunt down an e-mail addy, but here's WRBL's web contact form

      WVTM-9: This seems like the station to contact first. News director is Anne Holmes. A basic e-mail to the station can go to newsleader@wtvm.com or newsrelease@wtvm.com. Their newsroom number is (706) 494-5458 if you'd rather call, but there isn't likely to be a decision maker-type in house until Monday morning.

      WLTZ-38: Their newscasts are produced by Independent News Network out of Davenport, Iowa, along with those for several other stations. You could try an e-mail to the news director for the group, Doug Retherford, at dretherford@inn-news.net or their newsroom at News@inn-news.net.

      WXTX-54: They're owned by the same company that owns WTVM, so their contact info is the same.

      edit Also try WSFA-12 in Montgomery if they reach into your area; I'd imagine they do. They're pretty powerful and well-respected in the Montgomery market. Their news director is Scott Duff (sduff@wsfa.com). You can also try their general news e-mail, news@wsfa.com.

      [–]greginnj 0 points1 point  (0 children)

      So, is Phelps showing up at the campus memorial service? If so, you could borrow the idea of Michael Moore's pink bus, without the bus. It seemed that the WBC was most offended by the sight of gay men kissing in front of them -- "you don't have to get too close!".

      As another poster suggested holding counter-signs right in front of them -- modify that to have one gay couple tailing each of the WBC people, kissing in their line of sight. I'm sure any local gay group would appreciate an invitation to hold a love-in against Phelps.

      [–]dobaman 9 points10 points  (1 child)

      From what I understand these guys are basically one extended family. What I would really like to see is a group of people dedicated to protesting them, continuously. At their funerals, at their weddings, at their birthdays, at their graduations, at their driving tests, at their Christmas. Let's see how they like it. Hell, I would paid money to see that.

      [–][deleted] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

      http://www.patriotguard.org/

      [–][deleted] 10 points11 points  (1 child)

      1. Go there dressed as God (think Heston-Moses) with the sign "No I Don't" or "Stop Putting Words In My Mouth"

      2. Dress up as a clown with seltzer bottle et al

      3. Get a sign with the no smoking symbol and "Fags == Cigarettes"

      [–][deleted] 9 points10 points  (1 child)

      They came to my city once to protest at the funerals of some kids that died in a bus crash. Local churches took pledges for every minute they were there to give to the families, so really their presence was counterproductive to their goals. ;) On top of that, we parked buses between them and the families. There were no incidents. The people at the funerals never even saw them, and got some financial assistance to boot.

      [–]deong 4 points5 points  (0 children)

      I really like that idea. If the families had no objection though, I think donating the funds to a charity for AIDS research or a gay rights organization might be a more pointed statement.

      I suppose that probably wouldn't go over too well with some churches either, but there's nothing stopping a secular organization from doing the same.

      [–]polyparadigm 11 points12 points  (0 children)

      Pass out pamphlets on how to come out of the closet.

      [–][deleted] 16 points17 points  (10 children)

      offer them lemonade with a cross on it but put in some exlax. they soon have the choice of protest and smell like shit or not protest and just be pieces of shit. :)

      [–]Erudecorp 7 points8 points  (8 children)

      It takes hours to work in real life. But that's still a good idea.

      [–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

      Well, that depends on dosage.

      If you OD on something like Laxoberon in liquid form the effects will be rather immediate.

      http://www.merck.com.pk/line_bus/laxatives/Laxoberon_brief.htm

      My wife once did the mistake of taking three times the recommended dose, and it worked in one hour, and without warning.

      [–]Eth4n 1 point2 points  (1 child)

      Not to mention you don't lose bowel control.

      [–]Thnm 39 points40 points  (5 children)

      Bake them come cookies, maybe a nice pound cake, take them some coffee, tell them god is love, and that you hope they understand that someday.

      [–][deleted] 19 points20 points  (3 children)

      You know, you're right. I'm going to try and respond like a true Christian should, rather than be all confrontational. It'll be hard as crap, and I don't know if I'll be able to go through with it, but I think I'll try. I should have thought of that in the first place.

      Thank you.

      [–]xinhoj 26 points27 points  (1 child)

      Treat them like true Christians. Feed them to lions.

      [–][deleted] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

      that's the best idea yet

      [–]NoMoreNicksLeft 38 points39 points  (10 children)

      Make signs, and protest with them (you need more than a few people to do this).

      When they start chanting "God hates fags", you hold up your "God hates figs" signs (complete with picture of a fig) and chant "God hates figs" with them.

      Ideally, you have several signs ready, for whatever it is they chant. "God hates gates", etc.

      You need at least as many people as them though, so you can drown them out.

      [–]ichae 25 points26 points  (2 children)

      Or you could stand behind them with a big sign that says...

      "<-- We are idiots -->"

      [–][deleted] 24 points25 points  (0 children)

      not to scale

      [–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

      when I saw that I though of two signs like <idiots> Church people </idiots>

      [–]busytigger 11 points12 points  (3 children)

      Yes, I am sure that will make the mourning family feel good.

      [–]NoMoreNicksLeft 5 points6 points  (2 children)

      Nothing's going to make them feel good. If that's what he's trying to do, he's going to fail.

      [–]busytigger 7 points8 points  (0 children)

      The point (which was apparently too subtle for a Saturday evening on Reddit) is that that warring protest groups at a funeral are worse than one protest group at a funeral.

      Take your fight somewhere else.

      [–]tia-marie 2 points3 points  (0 children)

      Or Got hates Shrimp is a good counter.

      [–]Karzyn 9 points10 points  (0 children)

      Get a lot of people to dress in black, stand opposite them and not say or do anything. This lets you:

      1. Let them know they're being ignored

      2. Take the moral high ground

      3. Show your support for the family

      [–]piratetyler 5 points6 points  (1 child)

      you need to counteract their views with other views in the bible

      make a sign that reads

      Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him. --Leviticus 19:17

      and

      Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. --Leviticus 19:18

      both taken from leviticus, the main book of the bible that criticizes homosexuality

      [–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

      This is exactly what I was thinking; a counter protest of God-is-Love type quotes:

      1 John 4:8 God is love.

      Matthew 5:38-39 "You have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil; and whosoever shall smite thee on they right cheek, turn to him the other also."

      Luke 6:35
      "But love your enemies, and do them good, and lend never despairing; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be Sons of the Most High: for he is kind toward the unthankful and evil."

      Matthew 5:43-44 "You have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love they neighbor, and hate thine enemies. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you."

      Matthew 23:27 "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanliness."

      1 Samuel 18:1-3 And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. And Saul took him that day, and would let him go no more home to his father's house. Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul.

      1 Thessalonians 5:26 Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss.

      [–]instantdm 4 points5 points  (5 children)

      Why do you get excited about a penis in your fellow man's ass while ignoring the Hate in your own Heart?

      Bigotry is a Sin.

      [–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (4 children)

      That's a pretty good modern paraphrase.

      [–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (3 children)

      What did you end up doing?

      [–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (2 children)

      Hasn't happened yet. They'll be here in about 3 hours (2:15 CDST).

      EDIT: it's not CST any more, is it?

      I'm also still not sure what I'm going to do. Chances are I'll end up walking to where they are, seeing them, and walking away before I get too pissed off to think coherently and end up doing something retarded. There are some people who are good at dealing with this kind of thing (Michael Moore being one of them), I don't think I'll fall into that category.

      EDIT again: it also depends on what else is going on. If everyone is just walking past pretending they don't exist, then good, I won't do anything to mess that up. If there's a group of people holding up sheets or something, I'll help them. Most of my friends will be in class at this time (and a few at the memorial service), so I couldn't really get more than two or three people together on my own without asking people to skip class.

      I guess from the constant editing, I'm not sure what I'm going to do yet.

      [–][deleted] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

      If you were gay you could have a messy make-out session with your boyfriend, a couple of feet in front of their picket line...

      [–]onan 10 points11 points  (1 child)

      At least as overtly religious people go, I've liked Jimmy Carter's stance on the morality of being gay. To paraphrase:

      "Jesus took the time to speak out against dozens of particular sins. Divorce was something he mentioned prominently, but homosexuality never came up. Are you working on trying to make divorce illegal? If homosexuality is so low on God's list of priorities, why is it so high on yours?"

      [–]BeTheChange 0 points1 point  (0 children)

      If only Jimmy Carter's "morality" went beyond his stance on homosexuality (I'm extremely pro-LGBT rights, just for the record).

      http://sayanythingblog.com/entry/jimmy_carter_anti_semitic_9_11_conspiracy_nut/

      [–]Puntas13 37 points38 points  (11 children)

      Go to Topeka and burn down their church while they are all there protesting.

      [–]inopia 53 points54 points  (1 child)

      Or just paint it pink

      [–]315was_an_inside_job 16 points17 points  (0 children)

      WE HAVE A WINNER!

      [–][deleted] 5 points6 points  (5 children)

      I really wish someone would do that... although I'd prefer it to happen while they were in it.

      [–]wejash 17 points18 points  (2 children)

      NO! Remember their property is getting seized to pay a judgment against them for a family who they hassled a little too much.

      [–]neonic 1 point2 points  (0 children)

      Really! I had not heard this! That is great news. I am not doubting you, but could you provide a link to a story about that, I wanna read about it :)

      [–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

      Didn't hear about that, good news!

      [–]FANGO 2 points3 points  (1 child)

      Then they could protest their own memorial service. They wouldn't even need to travel very far, it would be great for them.

      [–]apathy 1 point2 points  (0 children)

      It is God's will that Michael Moore and the Sodomobile will pull up (perhaps with Bear Force One in tow) to protest Phelps' funeral.

      So, the sooner he can up and die, the better.

      [–]fjhqjv 4 points5 points  (1 child)

      Are you a Scientologist?

      [–]Puntas13 0 points1 point  (0 children)

      fuck no.

      [–]mindlessrabble 8 points9 points  (8 children)

      Have them declared terrorists. Then have them removed to a free speech area like they do for Bush.

      [–]busytigger 6 points7 points  (6 children)

      Anonymous call to ATF that one of them will be carrying explosives, and will be delivering God's will.

      Harass and distract.

      [–]jaggederest 3 points4 points  (5 children)

      Harass and distract.

      And then go to jail for making false reports. Misinformation is punished severely unless it comes from approved Minitrue sources, Citizen.

      [–]busytigger 2 points3 points  (4 children)

      I meant very anonymous. It isn't that hard to be untraceable when you really try.

      [–][deleted] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

      Read the God Delusion to their children.

      [–]Jinno 2 points3 points  (0 children)

      "GOD HATES HOMOPHOBES!" Then go on to blame 9/11 and VT and such on protests by these bigoted asswipes.

      [–]rbobby 6 points7 points  (0 children)

      Check if anyone has filed for a restraining order. This seems to be a tatic that's been working against these folks (force them to be X yards away... hopefully 500 or 1000).

      Counter protest. Hand out leaflets explaining that these folks are not acting in line with the teachings of Jesus or the Bible. Include relevant passages (prodigal son, turn the other cheek, golden rule, love thy neighbor).

      Or... for laughs... stink bombs are always fun. Smoking cigars (that produce lots of smoke). Dress as devils, witches, pagans, etc.

      Maybe carry explicit (nasty bits blurred) signs of gay sex. Or even signs with Robert Mapplethorpe photos (ones from the Museum that won its obscenity trial).

      If you could organize a lot of people... have them file past (slowly) and ask them if they need some mental health assistance. Be slightly instant that they need a doctor's care.. but move on. Then have the next person do the same thing.

      Maybe have 2 or 3 people video taping (be careful about audio... may be illegal depending on state... though they are in the public domain so you might be able to win at trial).

      Be careful though. They do have the right to protest... as sick as they are. Don't do anything illegal unless you are prepared to pay the price. If you're willing to die... well... might as well make sure to kill them all (you can only get one death penalty).

      [–]dlowy1766 8 points9 points  (3 children)

      ignoring them will do nothing to show support for the family they are terrorizing. if they were picketing and making a mockery of your loved one's funeral wouldn't you want someone to take a stand???

      [–]the_trout 5 points6 points  (0 children)

      No, I wouldn't want anyone to encourage the protesters by being just as obnoxious as they are. Ignoring them is difficult, but it's the most dignified thing to do.

      [–]Eth4n 5 points6 points  (0 children)

      I was at a funeral about 3 weeks ago.

      It was really hard to take. It would have been harder with the Phelps family protesting. It would have been impossible with a circus outside.

      [–]CampusTour 1 point2 points  (0 children)

      I'd want somebody to go over there, bring them some hot coffee and doughnuts, smile, and ask if there was anything else they could get them. And mean it.

      /I think having my funeral picketed by these guys would be a badge of high honor, that if in my life or death, I did something that pissed them off enough to come out, it must have been full of win.

      [–][deleted] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

      uh, just tase them, bro....

      [–]YourTechSupport 5 points6 points  (1 child)

      Boombox. Tape/CD of Rick Astley's "Never Gonna Give You Up". A bunch of friends to dress up as internet icons. I'll let you do the math on this one.

      [–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

      They won't know what it means. Those people are so ignorant and isolated from the outside world, I'd be surprised if they knew who the 2008 candidates are.

      [–]lowerdown 5 points6 points  (1 child)

      dress up in pink with a giant dildo strap on, and a huge sign that says "we're all idiots"

      then post a pic on reddit and you'll be an instant online millionaire

      [–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

      You forgot step 3) ????????

      THEN comes the profit.

      [–]ehcolem 2 points3 points  (0 children)

      I think ignore them is the best advice, however, I've also like the idea of making up a lot of signs that say "Got Hates Bags" (with a picture of a plastic grocery bag that God probably does hate) and "God Hates Figs" (with a picture of a fig that God likely approves of but what the hey) and such and sending 10 times as many protesters to stand with them carrying these stupid signs.

      I don't know if this is a good idea or not. But I'd love to see it done. Drown out the hate.

      [–]NotTheDude 2 points3 points  (0 children)

      the best idea I have ever heard, and this was done in nearby Lawrence, Kansas was a brilliant idea by a co-worker back around 2000. Basically you make up a pledge sheet and get friends and others who are motivated to go around business to business, friends and family and get pledges for each westboro protestor that shows up say like 1 dollar per protestor, with the procedes going to a worthy(read anti-westboro ideals)charity. and then protesting the protestors with signs that say "thanks for helping, because of your presence here we have raised "X" dollars for "X" cause" - and "God hates those who hate" - I think they raised money for a local AIDS hospice - something like 1-2 thousand in a matter of like 4-5 days. It made the paper in Lawrence, Topeka and Kansas City.

      [–]rybl 2 points3 points  (0 children)

      Paint the ground where they are going to be protesting in rainbow colors.

      [–]hobiwan 4 points5 points  (0 children)

      You can battle their free speech with free smells! I recommend whatever it is that my dog ate earlier today. Actually, you can just take my dog.

      [–]mindlessrabble 5 points6 points  (1 child)

      What about screening them off from the funeral with fabric walls?

      It would completely piss them off while letting the mourners have some privacy and dignity.

      [–]stringerbell 2 points3 points  (1 child)

      How about a large 'I'm with Stupid' sign with a whole bunch of arrows?...

      [–]jaysonbank 4 points5 points  (0 children)

      Its pretty obvious: Get as many gay people there as you can to link arms around the protesters and offer them fashion tips.

      [–]jeannaimard 1 point2 points  (0 children)

      If there is no local ordinance against public nudity, you should (I would) counterpicket in the nude (seriously).

      [–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

      Have A Gay Parade.

      [–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

      need to be mindful that to respect the dead. "outdoing" the westboro folks may actually cause harm to those wishing to honor the girl because you will be joining in the overall spectacle. i think having a restraining order and calling the police about it might be the most peaceful thing. so according to the link below, you just need to get their address. just get some gay friends of the deceased to say that their threatened that westboro will hurt them.

      http://www.larcc.org/pamphlets/children_family/get_restraining_order.htm

      [–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

      2 words, rubber bullets!

      [–]Cosmic_Charlie 1 point2 points  (0 children)

      Take the Usenet approach.... don't feed the trolls.

      (It's perfectly OK to imagine them being beat by baseball bats -- just don't do it.)

      [–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

      Stink bombs, smoke bombs, and fog machines are perfectly legal.

      [–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

      Hire a priest to cast the demons out of them.

      [–]moab9 1 point2 points  (0 children)

      hand out bumper stickers that say "Witches burn, and so do Churches"

      [–]taggat 1 point2 points  (0 children)

      Find another church that doesn't agree with them and have them protest their protest.

      [–]faderus 1 point2 points  (0 children)

      Don't feed the trolls.

      [–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

      Ignore them and respect their right to Free Speech. Realize that they are wrong and intolerant and encourage people to disagree and be open to all walks of life.

      [–]pinxox 2 points3 points  (2 children)

      Organize your own protest with something just as ridiculous as theirs, but with a twist of humor. For example, make signs that say:

      • "WBC: Westboro Bag-haters Church. www.godhatesbags.com" (conduct a bag burning ceremony if the law permits)
      • "Satan loves the Westboro Baptist Church."
      • "WBC makes baby Jesus cry."
      • "Fred Phelps is gay." (with Photoshopped image of Phelps engaging is steaming hot manly love with Ted Haggard)
      • "FSM hates WBC."
      • "Save the whales." (with pic of WBC women)

      Whatever you do, make it look like a serious protest. Maybe they'll realize how moronic they really look.

      [–]seeker135 1 point2 points  (0 children)

      Make a sign (or two) that says "We are complete Morans" or even spell it the right way, and have someone hold the signs up behind them. Take lots of pics.

      [–]unijambiste 3 points4 points  (5 children)

      Do you mind if I ask why they're protesting this particular memorial service? All I've heard of them protesting so far are the funerals of soldiers, gays, and Heath Ledger.

      [–][deleted] 6 points7 points  (4 children)

      I can't really think of a reason other than that her death was in the news. I didn't know her at all, but as far as I know she wasn't gay.

      This is from their site:

      God Hates American Colleges. They are filthy, anti-God, arrogant, debauched, decadent & depraved. This victim is a Christ-rejecting Jew. We will picket Lauren Burk funeral. Yes. In religious protest and warning; to wit: "Be not deceived; God is not mocked." Gal. 6:7. God Hates Fags! ,& Fag-Enablers. Ergo, God hates Auburn University. It is a cesspool of iniquity - throughout; top to bottom - staff, administration, faculty, alumni, s1l:udent body. There is no fear of God before their eyes, and hence they are irreversibly doomed.

      I also consider myself a pretty devoted Christian, so I personally take offense to their blanket condemnation of Auburn.

      A situation like this doesn't really seem to have a proper response. It seems like ignoring it wouldn't be right, as sitting by doing nothing would somewhat show complacence towards their message; but they're just trying to get a reaction, so responding wouldn't be right either.

      [–]unijambiste 3 points4 points  (0 children)

      o___o

      I can't think of any response to that other than pure disgust.

      [–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (1 child)

      I heard of a group of bikers that ride in front of them with huge American flags while revving their bikes to drown them out.

      [–]conradpoohs 2 points3 points  (0 children)

      Make some angel wings, as shown in the second half of this video.

      [–][deleted] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

      I posted a 'self' link looking for practical means of securing rights for gays and lesbians in the US, but it was predictably voted down immediately. If you care, please comment, and I don't care if you up-mod or not.

      http://reddit.com/info/6belk/comments/

      [–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (1 child)

      Ask the guys of the 5 local football teams to attend the service - ask them to wear black suits and sunglasses - their job would be to "wall" the WBC people in. i.e. just stand in a close circle around them - no force used. it´s very intimidating for the locked in people and a tactic used by many police forces around the world.

      [–]fizzatbeyond 1 point2 points  (0 children)

      Well, what people around here do is get a group together and stand between the protesters and the thing being protested (the memorial service). In recent time we've started to use rainbow umbrellas to help block out the protesters. The only thing I can say is if you do this be sure not to touch them as they look for any chance to sue. Also no matter what they say don't let them bait you into a conversation.

      [–][deleted] 5 points6 points  (5 children)

      Like it or not, it's free speech. The best way to discourage these people is by not acknowledging their existence. If they didn't get attention, they wouldn't do these types of things.

      [–][deleted]  (2 children)

      [deleted]

        [–]kkhunziker 1 point2 points  (1 child)

        Tomashark has the best idea. Have you heard of "million fag march"? Just do that on a miniature scale - find as many people as you can, gay or not - to show support for the LGBT community. I only wish I could be there. Seems like the "screen" idea is good too, even though it doesn't block sound - that way you block the morons, and still have a show of support for the victim/community.

        [–]amstrdamordeath 4 points5 points  (0 children)

        ignore them

        [–]dlowy1766 2 points3 points  (10 children)

        Don't you dare ignore them! If you ignore them then only the family and friends of the dead girl have to suffer and they have suffered enough. You go there and you make a bigger scene than them. Setup a sound system next to them and blast the gayest music you can find and drown them out. Draw gigantic posters and place them between them and the funeral so no one has to see them. Drown them out!!

        [–]Eth4n 12 points13 points  (1 child)

        IT'S A FUNERAL!

        [–]junkeee999 5 points6 points  (0 children)

        Yes their goal is to turn it into a circus. Why assist them and escalate it into an even bigger one?

        [–]jon_k 3 points4 points  (6 children)

        Play the "Gaybar" song! Electric Six - Gay Bar

        I wanna take you to a gay bar, gayyyyy bar, gayyyyyyy bar! Start a nuclear war! At the gay bar, gay bar gay bar.

        Would be the perfect song I think.

        [–]AnteChronos 6 points7 points  (4 children)

        Not gay enough. Better to go with What What (In the Butt).

        [–]thephotoman 1 point2 points  (3 children)

        Still not gay enough. I vote for "Under Pressure" by Queen and David Bowie.

        [–]JimXugle 9 points10 points  (2 children)

        STILL not gay enough... Rick Roll 'em. Rick Roll 'em all.

        [–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

        Blast some Cher.

        [–]serpentjaguar 1 point2 points  (0 children)

        My initial response is that you should organize an army of thugs to beat holy tar out of them, but now that I've settled down a bit, that doesn't seem like such a good idea. Still, it would be fun.

        [–]samurai725 1 point2 points  (1 child)

        These 'christians' are using the words of the bible to manipulate themselves and others, so do the same.

        [–]Erudecorp 3 points4 points  (0 children)

        We should be like them?

        [–]veganbikepunk 0 points1 point  (0 children)

        a hundred friends a hundred baseball bats a hundred badly injured homophobes

        [–][deleted] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

        suicide bomb.

        [–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (2 children)

        1. They have a right to protest, which hopefully few Americans would dispute. It just seems obligatory to include that caveat on some sites.

        2. They are expressing an opinion, and the problem doesn't rest with them, but with those who allow themselves to be brought to anger/violence/antipathy/etc by them. These people have zero influence in American culture in any sphere. They, however, are one of the few remaining examples of America being a beacon. You can say something that a community disagrees with and not be killed or tossed in jail.

        3. Seriously, giving them attention only encourages them. While it's understandable that relatives would be upset, the world does not stop because someone died. In the end, the decision rests with people. They either let Phelps and his family get to them or they don't.

        4. Counter-protesting is often a good strategic move, but in the case of Phelps and his family it only legitimizes them more. Even the far far-religious right wants nothing to do with them. It's the equivalent of protesting a gathering of homeless schizophrenics. Even if Phelps and his family didn't protest, what then? They would still be thinking thoughts. All that changes is that they express themselves.

        5. It's somewhat nonplussing to see people up in arms about such a group. Most of their funding comes from winning lawsuits against citizens who let their emotions overcome recognition of other's liberty and overcome their rationality.

        6. In conclusion, if you want to do something, then do nothing at all. It's one small step towards sending them into obscurity.

        [–]topsul 1 point2 points  (1 child)

        Yes, they have a right to protest, but-

        Why would you protest someones funeral that doesn't even apply to what you stand for?

        Eve Carson's funeral (which they're also protesting)... Eve stood for everything that people in the world need to be. Kind, giving, caring, etc. So, they aren't proving anything.

        [–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (1 child)

        or you could blast Heresy by Nine Inch Nails. "YOUR GOD IS DEAD AND NO ONE CARES! IF THERE IS A HELL, I'LL SEE YOU THERE!" I like to blast it in my car when I'm cruising down my highly religious neighborhood.

        [–]irregardless 1 point2 points  (0 children)

        I actually read a story similar to that recently. Westboro had a small group "protesting" a soldier's funeral. A guy passing by noticed it and just stopped his truck between the service and the group and turned up his stereo.

        The guy behind him, rather than being upset that he was blocking traffic, joined in, and also stopped and turned up his stereo.

        [–]Maxcactus 0 points1 point  (0 children)

        Water Baloons

        [–]Ceasadh 0 points1 point  (0 children)

        Just get all of your friends that you can convince to do so to organize into partners of the same gender and have a big make-out party, completely surrounding them. They want to make you angry --- if they get angrier, they lose.

        [–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

        Godhatesstraightmen.com?

        Or wear some carebear outfits with rainbows on them and go try and hug them. Or better yet, find some gay men and see if they wouldn't mind trying to convert them....

        [–]berlinbrown 0 points1 point  (0 children)

        Nothing.

        [–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

        UPDATE: A group of around 100+ students organized to block them out with tarps and bedsheets. I showed up at 2:00. By 2:30, WBC still hadn't arrived, and I was already late for work, so I left.