Congratulations Newlyweds!

Looks like my little corner of the world has raised the hackles of the wackadoos at Westboro Baptist Church. In case you've been hiding under a rock, Westboro Baptist is a "church" out of Topeka, KS started by Fred Phelps, Sr. and widely considered a hate group. It consists mostly of members of the large Phelps family and is known for their extreme hatred of homosexuality (and just about everything and everyone else!) They have protested at the funerals of soldiers and, most recently, posted of their intention to picket the Newtown funerals. Their delusional belief is that every tragedy in the world is linked to homosexuality—specifically society's increasing tolerance and acceptance of the so-called "homosexual agenda."

Well, as I posted earlier in this blog, Maryland voters said "Yes" to gay marriage in our latest election. This decision has apparently irked the jackwagons at Westboro, so they are headed our way on Jan. 2, which is the first day same sex Marylanders can officially marry.

This is an excerpt from their website before it got hacked: (highlights mine)

Circuit Court for Ann Arndel County in Annapolis, MD January 2, 2013 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Maryland held an election. The question on the ballot was: Do we flip off God or not? The people voted to flip off God, AGAIN!
Fag Marriage Dooms Nations. As if Maryland has not done bad enough to show their bare backsides to God, when they put the servants of God on trial, they added to their crimes, that they became the first state to vote in Same-Sex Marriage.
Luke 17:26 And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.
27 They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all.
28 Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded;
29 But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all.
30 Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.
The last offense against God by Noah’s generaiton was same-sex marriage, and then God destroyed them all with the flood. This rebellious generaiton should prepare to meet thy God.
Westboro brings these words of warning, knowing they may be the last that you get. Your duty is to fear and obey God, and do it like you mean it, with joy and gladness.

Happy New Year to all! As if there is not enough hate in this world, these people have to add to it.  I have mixed feelings about even acknowledging the activities of this band of lunatics. They are publicity seekers, and I am loathe to give them more publicity. However, I also feel a duty to speak out against bigotry and intolerance and to let people know that there are those who will stand against hatred.

With that thought in mind, my daughter and I will be joining a peaceful counter-protest in Annapolis. We will not be engaging the Westboro wackos at all but will be demonstrating our love and giving our congratulations to Maryland newlyweds, be they gay or straight. If you're in the area, come join us!

“Hatred paralyzes life; love releases it. Hatred confuses life; love harmonizes it. Hatred darkens life; love illuminates it.”
― Martin Luther King Jr., A Testament of Hope: The Essential Writings and Speeches