Westboro hates …. everyone!

On Wednesday morning we woke to the tragic news that Perth born actor Heath Ledger had passed away in New York.

Since then we’ve heard that the members of Westboro Baptist Church intend picketing any memorial services held for Heath. They’re planning to shove their hate filled slogans in the faces of those who are grieving the loss of the talented Western Australian.

Westboro Baptist Church (WBC) is a controversial organization headed by Fred Phelps and based in Topeka, Kansas, U.S..

The small church runs numerous websites such as GodHatesFags.com, GodHatesAmerica.com and others expressing condemnation of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people (LGBT), Roman Catholics, Muslims and Jews, as well as populations it believes are supporting the forementioned groups, including Swedes, Canadians, Irish, British, and Americans. – Wikipedia

Rev. Dr Ross Clifford, President of the Baptist Union of Australia, has issued a media statement saying that the intention of the members of Westboro Baptist Church in the US to picket memorial services for Heath Ledger is completely inappropriate. He has moved quickly to distance Baptist churches in Australia from the Kansas group which has gained attention over the past few years as little more than a hate group.

One person who has had first hand experience with Westboro Baptist is broadcaster and musician Mike Rayson. Mike hasbeen picketed by the group and he joined me on the line from the US this morning during my programme on 98.5 Sonshine FM.

I asked Mike about his experience with Westboro and what he believes our response should be to such groups. You can hear our conversation by clicking play on the audio player at the bottom of this post.



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About the author

Rodney Olsen

Rodney is a husband, father, cyclist, blogger and podcaster from Perth Western Australia.

He has worked in radio at Perth's media ministry Sonshine for over 25 years and has previously worked at ministries such as Compassion Australia and Bible Society.

The views he expresses here are his own.

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5 Comments

  • There is a group here in the US that was formed to protect the family from this group. My husband helped when the group would gather at the grave site of soldiers being buried from the war. They would have signs stating the soldier is in hell for his killings in Iraq. The new group called Patriot Guards are motorcycle riders (mainly Harleys) that ride with huge American Flags on the back of their bikes. The riders then block the grave site from the Westboro group so that the family cannot see the signs, because the American Flags are held so the family cannot see the hatred. Also the riders will keep the motorcycles running so that the family cannot hear the hatred chants from the Westboro either. Thank God someone formed the Patriot Guards to protect the family. Just thought you would be interested in that.

  • What on earth did Mike do to get picketed by these idiots? (Sorry, it’s the nicest word in my head at the moment). ?I’ve known Mike almost my whole life and can think of nothing that would warrant it, even with their warped thinking!

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