Thursday, January 24, 2008 | Reason : Wingnut News | print version

Heath Ledger Death: Baptist Group To Protest At Memorial

by Sky News

Thanks to Jeremy Swanson for the link.

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/skynews/20080124/twl-heath-ledger-death-baptist-group-to-3fd0ae9.html

Heath Ledger Death: Baptist Group To Protest At Memorial

The Kansas-based Westboro Baptist Church - which has previously said they wished a million people had been killed in the London terror attacks in 2005 - issued a statement saying the Australian actor was "now in hell".

"WBC will picket this pervert's funeral, in religious protest," the group said.

"God hates the sordid, tacky bucket of slime seasoned with vomit known as Brokeback Mountain and He hates all persons having anything whatsoever to do with it.

"Heath Ledger is now in Hell, and has begun serving his eternal sentence there."

The demonstrations will target memorial services held in the US, not those in Australia, according to church spokeswoman Shirley Phelps-Roper.

"You cannot live in defiance of God," she told Fox News.

"He got on that big screen with a big, fat message: God is a liar and it's okay to be gay."

Ms Phelps-Roper, who described Ledger as "a fornicator", said the group will also be picketing the Oscars.

The Westboro Baptist Church has been classified as a "hate group" by the Southern Poverty Law Centre, which monitors extremist activity.

It is the same church which Sky News investigated in 2005.

They revealed to Sky's US correspondent Robert Nisbet their views on the London July,7, 2005 attacks.

They also called the Roman Catholic church the biggest paedophile organisation in the world and were taken to court recently by a family whose funeral they picketed.

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1. Comment #115539 by Katherine on January 24, 2008 at 9:57 am

I am glad I left this nonsense behind.

Other Comments by Katherine

2. Comment #115542 by Sleep of Reason on January 24, 2008 at 10:00 am

Well, they got the bit about the Roman Catholic Church correct.

Other Comments by Sleep of Reason

3. Comment #115543 by Ian Bamlett on January 24, 2008 at 10:00 am

Can we all just agree the WBC is beneath contempt and move on?

Here's one vote we never have anything about them posted on this site ever again.

Other Comments by Ian Bamlett

4. Comment #115544 by ClemIsMe on January 24, 2008 at 10:02 am

An Idea for positive change in the world: Instead of "What Would Jesus Do", how about "What Would Phelps Picket". Find that thing and accomplish it.

Other Comments by ClemIsMe

5. Comment #115545 by annabanana on January 24, 2008 at 10:03 am

So the whole "Thou shalt not lay with mankind,as with womankind" thing...wouldn't that mean that women are only to lay with womankind as well? It doesn't specify that it's talking about men only...All women should be lesbians, the Bible says so...

Other Comments by annabanana

6. Comment #115549 by al-rawandi on January 24, 2008 at 10:06 am

They say Heath is in trouble with God because he is a "fag-enabler" (whatever the fuck that is). Can they show me a Bible verse that says "Fag-enablers are damned". It only say "fags" themselves.

These people are perverting the words of our lord and savio....

*wretch, hurl, wretch, eyes water*

Whatever they are perverting the Bible themselves. Dumb asses.

Other Comments by al-rawandi

7. Comment #115553 by Prankster on January 24, 2008 at 10:08 am

Pure slime aren't they?

self righteous bastards one and all-how brave to have a go at someone who's not even cold yet and publish articles like this-
Stuff like this makes me realise that organised cults like religion and me have now gone our seperate ways long ago-all because of a film he starred in, portraying a gay cowboy and these maggots are now up in arms...fucking hell how sad-

Other Comments by Prankster

8. Comment #115554 by padster1976 on January 24, 2008 at 10:08 am

Where is that obnoxious wanker De Souza when shit like this happens?

Where are Atheist's when bad things happen? Feeling sadness and grief for when a talented actor like Heath Ledger dies from what appears to be a tragic accident. For having sympathy for his family. This atheist actually quite admired him (and my atheist wife thought he was 'a bit hot'). This is a disgrace. Do not silence them but humiliate them.

Atheists are not spouting this kind of hate filled crap.

Other Comments by padster1976

9. Comment #115556 by Vaal on January 24, 2008 at 10:14 am

All this energy that these idiots expend on hatred? You would think that they have would have something better to do with their time, like actually helping people? Perhaps they are just addicted to publicity.

I wonder if sometimes even the most zealous of these retrograde buffoons looks in the mirror and thinks "Do I REALLY believe all this?"

Other Comments by Vaal

10. Comment #115557 by Prankster on January 24, 2008 at 10:16 am

One further thing these dicks claim that Dog hates "fags" and "fag-enablers" (no I got lost thinking about that as well)
Are they so confident in their wisdom and knowledge of the bible that they claim to know what their Dog is feeling and thinking?.....never had that level of confidence myself

least the bit about the catholic church was almost right

RIP Heath

Tragic loss to both his family and acting

Other Comments by Prankster

11. Comment #115558 by steveroot on January 24, 2008 at 10:18 am

3. Comment #115543 by Ian Bamlett on January 24, 2008 at 10:00 am
Can we all just agree the WBC is beneath contempt and move on?

Not only beneath, but lying supine sucking the privates. It boggles my mind that human beings can be this fucktarded.
Steve

Other Comments by steveroot

12. Comment #115559 by al-rawandi on January 24, 2008 at 10:18 am

I must disagree.

Talented actor... ehhhh.... ehhhh

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13. Comment #115561 by padster1976 on January 24, 2008 at 10:21 am

I've just written this to their website...

"SUBJECT
You sad poor deluded people.

Dear Weirdo's,

Lo and behold for before you is a message from an atheist. Yes, I reject all your bullshit and... I live quite well thank you very much.

And I don't have to hate anyone to fell better about myself.

So go ahead and picket Heath Ledger's funeral. And the end of the day, you will only be showing yourselves up and damaging the religious cause in america.

You appear to be that cousin that comes over at christmas and is such an ignorant red necked hick, that the rest of the family are tempted to disowned. Oh, actually, I think they have!

Do you get off on causing more hurt and pain or are you simpley just moronic ignorant slime?

It truly amazes me how you think you are following god's cause.

Did you know there is evidence that jesus was gay? There's barely any evidence about him at all so why not think he was gay? No wife, 12 boyfriends. Keep an open mind that's what I say!

Your message is so far removed from the teachings of jesus I think if he did come back, even he'd disown you.

Shame that you had to waste your one life with this. That's another tragedy."

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14. Comment #115562 by padster1976 on January 24, 2008 at 10:22 am

al rawandi -

yes talented.

Who do you like?

Tom Cruise?

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15. Comment #115563 by Katherine on January 24, 2008 at 10:23 am

This isn't worthy of the 'In the News' section - this should be in 'Wingnut News' straightaway!

In fact, isn't it TOO nutty for the Wingnut section?

Other Comments by Katherine

16. Comment #115565 by al-rawandi on January 24, 2008 at 10:28 am

padster1976,

Tom Cruise *wretch*

Let's see I enjoyed Marlon Brando, George Clooney, Michael Cain, Daniel Day-Lewis, and some others.

Have fun with the hate mail you are going to receive.

You should have mentioned that the Bible doesn't meniton "fag-enablers" so they really aren't being Christian. Show them to be hypocrites by their own Book. That always works better than "You are an asshole because you're mean". Just some thoughts.

Other Comments by al-rawandi

17. Comment #115566 by The Reverend Dark on January 24, 2008 at 10:29 am

I wish they knew how to quit him.

The Reverend Shayne Dark

Other Comments by The Reverend Dark

18. Comment #115568 by Prankster on January 24, 2008 at 10:34 am

These poor deluded saps obviously can't tell real life from a film-they must think "Brokeback Mountain" is a documentary rather than a movie

I notice a spokesperson was trotting out this bile and garbage not the minister or leader of the church itself?

Here's hoping the right reverend Cleetus Awlreetus and his fucked up little congregation picket the memorial and righteously fuck up their religious cause-they can then wither away and pass on to extinction

Other Comments by Prankster

19. Comment #115569 by Peacebeuponme on January 24, 2008 at 10:42 am

I don't know why people get so fussed with these people and try to converse with them. They are a small bunch of whackos. We don't try to reason raving lunatics.

Other Comments by Peacebeuponme

20. Comment #115570 by padster1976 on January 24, 2008 at 10:45 am

Al (post 16)

I'll post them love messages here.

I'll count how many words until I'm accused of being gay.

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21. Comment #115571 by mcadamsdj on January 24, 2008 at 10:46 am

Can't we just make these guys go away? Far away forever? Maybe to Antarctica. Nah, I wouldn't dream of doing something so cruel to the penguins.

Other Comments by mcadamsdj

22. Comment #115572 by Paula Kirby on January 24, 2008 at 10:49 am

Atheists are not spouting this kind of hate filled crap.

No, we're not, and thank the FSM for that. But I think we have to resist the temptation to suggest that the WBC is remotely representative of Christians at large - it's not.

Of course, it's an interesting question as to WHY most Christians would be as appalled at the WBC's behaviour as we are: after all, the WBC is nothing if not biblical.

I suspect that many of them would say that Jesus revoked such Old Testament attitudes; took gay people's sins upon himself so they could be forgiven; taught us to love, rather than judge, one another. And they would think this reflected terribly well on Christianity and they would be filled with admiration for Jesus, who made it acceptable to view "sinners" with compassion rather than vengeful anger.

Atheists need no such excuse to accept people as they are, and to view them with compassion. There is nothing in atheism that requires us to obtain authorisation before responding to people with kindness. Common humanity suffices. Poor old Jesus. All that suffering to give us permission to deal kindly with people, when it was only the Old Testament that encouraged us to do otherwise in the first place.

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23. Comment #115573 by righton on January 24, 2008 at 10:56 am

This is the sickest thing I have ever heard. Heath Ledger was a great actor and from what I have heard a great person. I was very suprised and saddned to hear of his untimely death. I cant believe anyone would use this as an oppourtunity to spread their hatred of gay people, he wasnt even gay! I hope these picketers ROT IN HELL

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24. Comment #115576 by Roy_H on January 24, 2008 at 11:03 am

"Heath Ledger is now in Hell, and has begun serving his eternal sentence there."
Really? you have been there to see how he is getting along have you? It reminds me of those wingnuts that believe an Elephant headed statue can drink milk.
Pathetic puerile and childish!

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25. Comment #115577 by cowalker on January 24, 2008 at 11:03 am

The only thing these guys are sincere about is wanting to be celebrities by the only means available to them--being publicly obnoxious beyond belief.

I wish the media would quit giving them any more exposure than one sentence that would say: "There was a brief disruption at a memorial service in XXXXX cemetery yesterday."

If these disgusting excuses for human beings demonstrated with a message of racial hate, would the TV and press be so quick to help them publicize their supposed belief? I don't think so, on the valid basis that it could encourage morons to commit hate crimes. But the media has no qualms about handing these creeps a big, big megaphone, rewarding them with attention for bad behavior.

Couldn't a Baptist congregation sue them or something for calling themselves "Baptists" when the term "Psychopaths" fits much better?

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26. Comment #115579 by Linda on January 24, 2008 at 11:05 am

Are you going straight to hell?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RsBZCq4hp14

Other Comments by Linda

27. Comment #115580 by Prankster on January 24, 2008 at 11:06 am

To Padster1976

Any kind words yet from the WBC? I reckon you'll get 3 words in to their reply before they call you gay-when that happens tell them to fuck off

To Righton

That's the point I tried to put across in one of my postings-these turds don't deserve the oxygen of publicity just shaming for their disgraceful actions and outrageous views

Other Comments by Prankster

28. Comment #115582 by Beteo on January 24, 2008 at 11:12 am

What asses... leave the family be. Can we protest their protest?

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29. Comment #115583 by Prankster on January 24, 2008 at 11:13 am

To Linda

Sorry but I'm already in hell as I work for local government, so everyday is a fresh purgatory for me *sobs*

Other Comments by Prankster

30. Comment #115584 by pastin on January 24, 2008 at 11:15 am

I saw these people on 'Louis-Theroux - The Most Hated Family In America'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O228AQRvcqQ
I felt sorry for the kids who were born into this crazy cult family. It's sad to watch.

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31. Comment #115585 by righton on January 24, 2008 at 11:18 am

I am so angry right now.

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32. Comment #115588 by Alkal on January 24, 2008 at 11:21 am

btw what on earth is a fag-enabler?? And why are the WBC folk so concerned. Cant they chant their hymns and not watch brokeback?( they miss out on a lovely film, but then they dont deserve it) Why do they have SO much time. What "honest" work do they do?

Other Comments by Alkal

33. Comment #115591 by righton on January 24, 2008 at 11:23 am

al-rawandi,

Good for you, saying he isnt a talented actor, nice...

Other Comments by righton

34. Comment #115596 by annabanana on January 24, 2008 at 11:33 am

OMG! Prankster, me too! Sucks to work for the gov. doesn't it?

Edit: Occasionally, when I get to do the right thing, I like my job. It's just that blasted red tape that keeps getting in the way!

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35. Comment #115597 by Sodaliceous on January 24, 2008 at 11:40 am

Man is god STRICT! He hates not only gays, but actors playing gay characters...and..ALL PERSONS HAVING ANYTHING WHATSOEVER TO DO WITH IT (I'm assuming that includes the province of Alberta)...O merciful One! Help me to reject all that is gay and gay-enabling! O, show me the righteous path, backward-ass hicks!!

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36. Comment #115598 by al-rawandi on January 24, 2008 at 11:41 am

Good for you, saying he isnt a talented actor, nice...

I didn't think he was a good actor. The fact that he is dead doesn't change that. I hate to sound insensitive, but I get sick of hearing about "troubled actors". These people have other people wipe their asses, then when they die (being self abusive no less) everyone goes around saying how down to earth they were, how wonderful, what a loss it is. They make millions and then fuck their lives up and look for sympathy. Tough shit my friends. Nobody cares when the average junkie dies.

Greater losses have been had (Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan, etc...)

The only people worse are the dip shits that use this unfortunate incident to spout their fucktardian bigotry and nonsense.

Other Comments by al-rawandi

37. Comment #115599 by Zaphod on January 24, 2008 at 11:42 am

These people are children in adult bodies. It annoys me they get publicity.

Other Comments by Zaphod

38. Comment #115603 by MPhil on January 24, 2008 at 11:45 am

al-rawandi,

don't tell me you're a guitar-hero fan, too?

How bout Eric Johnson, Allan Holdsworth, Joe Satriani, Steve Vai and/or John Petrucci.

:)

Ah, nevermind... don't wanna hijack another thread.

Other Comments by MPhil

39. Comment #115604 by Stormkahn on January 24, 2008 at 11:46 am

You have to be impressed at how much bigotry you can get in such a small package, wonder what they'll say if a tornado drives through the middle of their church tomorrow? Divine justice?

Other Comments by Stormkahn

40. Comment #115606 by Prankster on January 24, 2008 at 11:52 am

Annabanana

Well the hours are ok and the pay is ok......

Yes you're right it sucks

Sick of trying to do the right thing and then being hamstrung by red tape and stupid rules and regulations...

So friday morning fast approaches....aahh feel the hate

Other Comments by Prankster

41. Comment #115607 by righton on January 24, 2008 at 11:52 am

Nice rant.

Sounds like you knew him well

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42. Comment #115613 by Prankster on January 24, 2008 at 12:05 pm

Personal preferences over musicians and actors aside the one thing I think we all agree on,on this thread at least is that the WBC are a total and complete shower of twats-apologies if this word offends anyone

What a waste of flesh and organs they truly are - the quicker a asteroid hits their rancid little church the better

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43. Comment #115616 by al-rawandi on January 24, 2008 at 12:10 pm

MPhil,

don't tell me you're a guitar-hero fan, too?

How bout Eric Johnson, Allan Holdsworth, Joe Satriani, Steve Vai and/or John Petrucci

I am an amateur guitarist. I am decent on the axe. Steve Vai, yes. I would also insert Joe Satriani, Eddie Van Halen, and Kirk Hammett as well. No hijacking.

Other Comments by al-rawandi

44. Comment #115617 by righton on January 24, 2008 at 12:11 pm

Actually I agree with you al-rawandi, its not sad that he died. Fucking actors... "I hate to sound jealous of them but" he probably deserved to die.

Other Comments by righton

45. Comment #115618 by Steve Zara on January 24, 2008 at 12:14 pm

They say Heath is in trouble with God because he is a "fag-enabler" (whatever the fuck that is).

Indeed. I started to be a fag, and continued to be a fag, with no apparent change in my fag-ness as a result of Heath's efforts.

However, it is sad that he has gone. He was a good actor, and he was brave to have acted in a gay role.

Other Comments by Steve Zara

46. Comment #115619 by ShavenYak on January 24, 2008 at 12:15 pm

Something I just thought about...

Is there, in the Bible, any actual citation anyone can point out indicating that homosexuals go to hell? The act is called an "abmoination", and there are plenty of injunctions to put the participants to death. But the closest thing I can find to "fags go to hell" is I Corinthians 6:9-10:

Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

Even this doesn't say they're going to hell, just that they won't inherit the Kingdom of God, though I suppose if there are only the two choices....

Notice one other group of people who are doomed, though? Revilers. To revile is "to assail with abusive language". Now, who do we know that does THAT regularly?

But the next verse goes on to suggest that all these groups of ne'er-do-wells are still welcome if they are washed, sanctified, and "justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of God". So I think Phelps even fails at understanding his own Bible.

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47. Comment #115620 by al-rawandi on January 24, 2008 at 12:15 pm

righton,

Nice rant.

Sounds like you knew him well

I didn't, but Jack Nicholson did and said "I warned him". He was known to be a heroin addict. He admitted to taking large quantities of sleeping pills. His residence was practically a pharmacy. I am eager for the tox screen on this one.

Do you get this emotional over your average Skid Row junkie dying on the street? Or is only when they have Manhattan Lofts? Drugs should be legal, and when someone like this dies, we can all look and say, that is why we should be responsible.

Other Comments by al-rawandi

48. Comment #115621 by Gymnopedie on January 24, 2008 at 12:16 pm

I don't understand why anyone gives two shits about the WBC and their inane protests. I think this is one of those "forget about them and they go away" sort of deals. The media and internet are the only things keeping these creeps alive. They aren't representative of the majority of Christians and hardly (only in the most ridiculous cases) represent the fundamentalists and literalists.

Move on...

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49. Comment #115622 by Goldy on January 24, 2008 at 12:16 pm

Took me a while to work out who this actor was. Name will disappear completely from the memory banks in a month or so. I think he probably paid the WBC to do this - I mean, think of the after life publicity.
Must have been a quiet month for Sky News...

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50. Comment #115624 by Goldy on January 24, 2008 at 12:18 pm

They aren't representative of the majority of Christians and hardly (only in the most ridiculous cases) represent the fundamentalists and literalists.

I guess they are to Christianity what Hitler, Mao and Stalin are to athiesm (and yes, I know, Hitler was a, etc, etc)
Mind you, that doesn't stop those three names popping up every now and again...

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