Westboro Baptist Church to Picket Joe Paterno’s Funeral
- Posted on January 23, 2012 at 2:37pm by
Christopher Santarelli
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The near-universally hated Westboro Baptist Church has announced via Twitter that they plan to picket the funeral of legendary, yet publicly tarnished, former Penn State head football coach Joe Paterno.
The pseudo church organization is known for their extremely hateful views and disruptive protests at somber institutions and events such as funerals for American soldiers killed in the Middle East, the US Holocaust Memorial Museum, and Papal visits.
The 85-year-old Paterno was suffering from lung cancer and passed away Sunday, following months of public criticism for not doing more than his legal obligations when told of alleged sexual abuse conducted by his former Defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky. Only days after the story broke and under intense media pressure, Paterno was fired following 46 years of service and donating over $4 million dollars to the university throughout his career.
“Joe Paterno is dead. WBC will picket his funeral,” wrote Margie Phelps, daughter of Westboro’s leader, Pastor Fred Phelps. “He’s in hell. Don‘t partake of your neighbor’s sin!”
Supporters have gathered at Penn State around the bronze statue of their former football coach since the news spread Sunday morning and USA Today reports that throughout the day, much of the coaching world, a legion of former players and even a former U.S.president weighed in.
“I was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Joe Paterno,” said former President George H.W. Bush in a statement. “He was an outstanding American who was respected not only on the field of play but in life generally — and he was, without a doubt, a true icon in the world of sports. I was proud that he was a friend of mine. Barbara and I send our condolences to his devoted wife Suzanne and to his wonderful family.”
ESPN reports that a private funeral for Paterno will be held Wednesday, and his family has scheduled three days of public memorial events this week.
Thousands attended a candlelight vigil for Paterno in front of Penn State’s Old Main Sunday night.
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Comments (181)
CloudNine
Posted on January 23, 2012 at 3:10pmShouldn’t the Westboro folks be in Iran preaching there? I would think they would get more attention!
Report Post »ronifer1
Posted on January 23, 2012 at 4:43pmUnbelievable ! You’re letting them get away with the fact that two of them are TRANSVESTITES and three are GAY! Check their photos – IT IS SO OBVIOUS !!!
Report Post »AvengerK
Posted on January 23, 2012 at 5:12pmBecause nothing says forgiveness and mercy like a pack of Westboro jackals protesting another funeral.
Report Post »AB5r
Posted on January 23, 2012 at 5:14pmThey kill Christians in Iran, or is that what you want?
Report Post »NeoFan
Posted on January 23, 2012 at 5:51pmGood to see some evangelicals are going to be there.
Report Post »B_rad
Posted on January 23, 2012 at 8:35pmOn some level, I’d enjoy seeing what would happen to them after protesting in Iran. Not a nice thing to wish on someone, but these people are disgusting.
Report Post »I have been very vocal in my disgust for the (non) actions of Joe Paterno, but HIS FAMILY deserves to mourn their loved one in peace. Funerals are for the living – the people who loved him and who he loved should be allowed to remember him as they knew him. Protesting his funeral – or anyone’s – is not only bad taste, it’s downright evil. I think it is reprehensible what he did by allowing that man to continue to have access to children on his watch. It is an unforgivable thing, but his family and friends do not deserve to be messed with in their time of mourning. Paterno is answering for his actions now. God is the judge of his soul. These Westboro freaks need to shut up and stay home.
db321
Posted on January 23, 2012 at 8:43pmGod doesn’t Kill – Satan does – Oh to Westboro Baptist Church Satan Is Their God – This Church is a radical Hateful Church that protest at Solders Funerals – To Atheist, don’t get them confused.
Report Post »Mimi24
Posted on January 23, 2012 at 10:25pmThey are wrong. Let this family alone. God is our only judge. I think He’s got it. No help needed from Westboro.
Report Post »patriot308
Posted on January 24, 2012 at 12:49amFirst… these “steaming piles of pelosi”, have more in common with john edwards than Christians (which means Christlike). I ask you, Pennsylvanians….. is there really a reason these degenerates; are spared a good ole, beatdown?
Report Post »harvick17
Posted on January 24, 2012 at 1:46amSounds like a cry for attention…. this church finally made a name for itself but had to piss everyone off in doing it.
Report Post »TheJeffersonian
Posted on January 24, 2012 at 2:09amWhat would you say they have in common with Edwards? Hating gays? Oh wait, that’s Santorum, Perry, Bachmann, and Palin.
Report Post »TaraR42
Posted on January 24, 2012 at 5:29amWhen Mr Phelps passes I plan on being at the carnival that will be set up across the street from his funeral,
Report Post »Bluefish49
Posted on January 24, 2012 at 12:39pmI hope this turns out badly for the Westboro Wingnuts…..sooner or later someone is going to get there a$$ handed to them.
Report Post »SaraD
Posted on January 29, 2012 at 12:53amI don’t agree with picketing anyones funeral, this bunch is obviously crazy. Joe Paterno’s legend as a coach was shattered when he refused to help these boys, and aid a child rapist. He is no hero, they are right about that.
Report Post »AmericanBumpkin
Posted on January 23, 2012 at 3:08pmO great the westboro cult is again on the march to spread bile and rabbid religious fervor of the feeble-minded sheep that they are. they are going to get themselves killed…
Report Post »i pitty their children.
SpankDaMonkey
Posted on January 23, 2012 at 3:21pm.
And Why should Protesting the Protector of a Pedophile get them Killed?……
Our Military is one thing, Pedophiles and their Protectors are another………….
Report Post »LeeroyJenkins
Posted on January 23, 2012 at 3:26pmWelp Westboro Baptist just decided to get the beatdown of their lives. What kind of moron would walk into a state that has at least 2 million die hard Paterno fans. Enjoy your stay in PA WBC I am laid off might come watch the bloody carcass’ dragged off and stuffed in Ambulances.
Report Post »little big man
Posted on January 23, 2012 at 3:37pmOh great that will go over like t.i.t.s on a bull. the psu student will trash them.
Report Post »rush_is_right
Posted on January 23, 2012 at 3:39pm“kind of moron would walk into a state that has at least 2 million die hard Paterno fans.”
what kind of people are fans of pedophile enablers?
Report Post »DogTags
Posted on January 23, 2012 at 4:04pmThis is the word of the LORD to Westboro Baptist Church: “You snakes! You brood of vipers! How will you escape being condemned to hell?” Matthew 23:33.
These people from this cult are sold out in doing the ministry of hell. They are minions of a demonic master and God’s justice will fall on them severely.
Report Post »TerryDo
Posted on January 23, 2012 at 4:16pmWestboro Baptist who made them judge and jury over have people have conducted their lives.
If they get a beat-down I would say good ; now STFU and let people bury their dead.
God is the final judge not your idiots.
Report Post »Necron99
Posted on January 23, 2012 at 4:32pm@ LEEROYJENKINS
A beat down is exactly what they want. It provides them with media attention and a source of revenue from the lawsuits following such actions taken against them. The only way to handle them is the way the Patriot Guard Riders do it.
Report Post »WomanMarineVietnamera
Posted on January 23, 2012 at 5:29pmAmericanbumpkin: you have hit the nail on the head….this group of misfits are NOT Christians. That word means to be Christ-Like and these jackals and heathen are NOT acting anywhere near Christ-like. This is nothing more than a cult under the guise of being a “church”. It is nothing more than a blight on the true Christian churchs in this Country. Everyone of those who show up at this funeral should be arrested and thrown in jail for the maximum allowed, which I hope is 3 or 4 years. Plenty of times to think of the horrible things they have done and suggested such as, God killing Joe Paterno. Unconsciencable. (spelled wrong but you get my meaning.)
A Woman Marine….Viet Nam era
Report Post »encinom
Posted on January 23, 2012 at 5:53pmThis time WBC pick the right target. They picked a man that has placed football, his legacy and career above the protection of children. They are picking a place that has forgotten that a University is there for teaching, not a vechile for a cash cow sports franchise and the students that beleive honor is determined by wins and loses on the field, instead of the actions and inactions off of the field.
Report Post »AmericanBumpkin
Posted on January 23, 2012 at 6:05pmand thank you woman marine and the rest who took my post as it was intended instead of twisting its intent to support something i simply didnt comment on….
Report Post »SubvetSS
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 8:37pmAmen Dogtags. Where a will defend this useless waste of protoplasm’s Constitutional right to be a complete moron I do find great relief that there is a special place in Hell for him.
Living and working so close to the home base of this mental midget is even worse. I get the “privilege” of seeing children under the age of 10 standing on street corners on the flag of this country holding signs of pure hate.
I do see the irony of the fact that he dares soil the name of those who defend his right to be so evil.
Report Post »Anonymous T. Irrelevant
Posted on January 23, 2012 at 3:07pmI’m sure nobody will miss them.
Report Post »USPATRIOT101
Posted on January 23, 2012 at 3:07pmI bet there will be a student that acts out and hurts one of the protesters. Young adults don’t always use good judgment when involved in a confrontation like this.
Report Post »happ77
Posted on January 23, 2012 at 3:11pmI hope it’s the whole football team and more than a few alum.
Report Post »Hobbs57
Posted on January 23, 2012 at 3:15pmI was thinking the same thing. Especially if they stick around after hours and some of the booze starts flowing, this might get ugly ..
Report Post »encinom
Posted on January 23, 2012 at 5:57pmI hope the world can see Penn State for what it is, a place where a mere game s more important than the safety of a child. Where the one man with hte power to stop it didn’t and is elevated to sainthood for protecting the cash cow.
Report Post »Dr. Joel Fleischman
Posted on January 24, 2012 at 11:42amENCINOM
Like we give a **** what you have to say…
Report Post »Robert-CA
Posted on January 23, 2012 at 3:07pmThe Phelps incest family is @ it again .
Report Post »Bubba777
Posted on January 23, 2012 at 3:08pmLike Mormons! Weird and not Christian.
Report Post »J_Ruben_Kincaid
Posted on January 23, 2012 at 4:52pm@BUBBA777
Report Post »Have some class my friend. Whether you agree with Christianity as practiced by Mormons or not, don’t try and somehow draw a comparison with Mormons and WBC. Go post crap like that somewhere else.
And No, I am not Mormon.
Captain Crunch
Posted on January 23, 2012 at 3:04pmLeave the family and funeral alone. I agree with them about what Paterno permitted to happen under his watch, but their tactics are all wrong. The Paterno fiasco is only the tip of the iceberg.
Report Post »encinom
Posted on January 23, 2012 at 5:59pmMaybe if Paterno didn’t turn a blind eye to what was happening in the shower room, maybe if Penn State has attmepted to white wash this and protect their cash cow. Paterno deserves no honor and no rest, the children he failed will live with his inactions for years.
Report Post »bamoran
Posted on January 23, 2012 at 7:45pm@encinom
Report Post »If you paid any attention to the real story of what happened. Joe did what he was supposed to. He reported it to his superiors. They were the ones who didn’t do what they were supposed to. If you believe that Joe deserves to rot in Hell then the other board members and faculty that knew what was going on and didn’t say anything deserve to be there right along with him.
encinom
Posted on January 23, 2012 at 8:47pmJoe Paterno did only enough to protect his football program. He turned a blind eye to the actions of a friend and children were hurt.
Report Post »skiz
Posted on January 23, 2012 at 3:00pmThese people are wierd. They are NOT Christians!
Report Post »piper60
Posted on January 23, 2012 at 2:55pmIf I had the travel money to go to the funeral, I’d go there waiting for Westboro to show up, baseball bat in my hand. These people are despicable and give Christianity a bad name. I’d like to give them a bad bruise. I suppose that’s not very Christian of me, but I’m pretty sickened by them.
Report Post »SoupSandwich
Posted on January 23, 2012 at 3:29pmSo where were you when they were at the funerals of soldiers, marines, sailors and airmen? Show up for sports…but servicemen and women dont’ rate. Cool. Go shittany lions then.
Report Post »Taquoshi
Posted on January 23, 2012 at 8:21pmYou need to understand that Phelps and Company want violence, they want confrontation. It’s all about lawsuits and harassment. They don’t really care a fig about gays, about the military or about truth. They care about making headlines and winning suits.
I don‘t know anything about what JoePa did or didn’t do and I’m not in a position to judge him. That’s ultimately for the courts, and as for his eternal destiny, that‘s in God’s hands. And before everyone goes ballistic and claims I’m defending a child molester or anything like that, let me remind you that the ground is level at the foot of the Cross. We are ALL sinners and ALL sin separates us from God. It‘s God’s judgment call at this point, not mine and I am happy to let Him deal with it.
Finally, I would like to remind everyone of the Duke lacrosse mess where the coach was fired for actions that his team supposedly took. Later, the truth came out along with a very nice lawsuit against the university. Duke cut its losses too quickly and they paid for it — dearly. Penn State may some day find itself in the same position. I think it’s called BOHICA.
Report Post »pap pap
Posted on January 23, 2012 at 2:53pmI have an idea.
Why don’t the Westboro Baptist crowd go and occupy the occupiers.
They deserve each aother.
Report Post »AmericanBumpkin
Posted on January 23, 2012 at 3:10pmif that happens i will be there with my popcorn and camera rofl!
Report Post »KickinBack
Posted on January 23, 2012 at 3:16pmBad idea pap pap, and in the words of the immortal Dr. Emmett Brown, here’s why:
“That encounter could create a time paradox, the results of which could cause a chain reaction that would unravel the very fabric of the space/time continuum and destroy the entire universe! Granted that’s only a worst case scenario, giving that the destruction might be limited to only our own local galaxy.”
Report Post »american1st
Posted on January 23, 2012 at 3:31pmDr. Egon Spengler: There’s something very important I forgot to tell you.
Report Post »Dr. Peter Venkman: What?
Dr. Egon Spengler: Don’t cross the streams.
Dr. Peter Venkman: Why?
Dr. Egon Spengler: It would be bad.
Dr. Peter Venkman: I’m fuzzy on the whole good/bad thing. What do you mean, “bad”?
Dr. Egon Spengler: Try to imagine all life as you know it stopping instantaneously and every molecule in your body exploding at the speed of light.
Dr Ray Stantz: Total protonic reversal.
Dr. Peter Venkman: Right. That’s bad. Okay. All right. Important safety tip. Thanks, Egon.
Dr. Joel Fleischman
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 5:20pmI guess in other words, it won’t go over well?
Report Post »Although it would be cool to watch the end result… probably like an atom bomb going off.
SayNoToTeaBaggers
Posted on January 27, 2012 at 1:43pmThe WBC are right wing christian and the OWS are liberal americans
Report Post »Robert-CA
Posted on January 23, 2012 at 2:53pmCome on Penn State football fans , let’s see it .
Report Post »greg4fitness
Posted on January 23, 2012 at 2:52pmThese are decendants of the people who burned witches.
Report Post »cuinsong
Posted on January 23, 2012 at 2:57pmNothing but brain-less idiots here. They are really singing
Report Post »“The Devils song“
http://www.reverbnation.com/play_now/song_10789987
AB5r
Posted on January 23, 2012 at 7:06pmIt is more like people want to burn them just like the community burned witches.
Report Post »Mandors
Posted on January 23, 2012 at 2:50pmThey are psychos, but you have to love the name of their website.
Report Post »SpankDaMonkey
Posted on January 23, 2012 at 2:50pm.
Ya’ll I think Hell just Froze Over……..
I Agree with them…….
Joe knew for 10 years about Uncle Jerry and said nothing……….
And I do believe there is a special place in Hell for People who hurt the least among us our Children, or allow them to be hurt…..
Report Post »coach T
Posted on January 23, 2012 at 5:18pmWhere do YOU get off saying something like that,, HE DID SAY SOMETHING,,I am so sick of morons like YOU who have NO IDEA what ur talking about. And I would bet 4 mths ago you would have gave anything to sit with him at dinner or a game. You mite want to watch what you say,,with the type of thinking you have you better hope no one you know,or work with or go to church with, or a ballgame,,If you ever hear anything you better RUN to the police department,,BECAUSE THEN it’s on YOUR ASS
Report Post »WomanMarineVietnamera
Posted on January 23, 2012 at 5:58pmFor thos of you siding with the cult WBC, just try and visualize the horrible pain the family is going through. They had nothing to do with what happened. All they know and feel is that their beloved father, husband, grandfather, etc. is no longer with them and they miss him. Is Compassion completely lost on society today? Yea, I know it has long ago been lost in Washington,DC and the White House, but, WE THE PEOPLE are still here and WE have sympathy and compassion for those who have lost a loved one in whatever way and for whatever reason. Try to remember that. Also, try to remember God loves us all including all our warts and ugliness, but He offers mercy and forgiveness if we will just reach out and take it. When I read these posts each day, all I read is hatred, anger, ugliness of speech and descriptions, what has happened? God has been brushed aside, that’s what has happened. People are trying to do everything on their own without God‘s help or input and it doesn’t work that way. Inside everyone of us there is goodness, it just depends on how we allow it to develope or if we allow it to be buried by negative thinking and hatefull works and thinking.
God loved even Joe Paterno just as He loves all of us. Sometimes we just have to think with our hearts not our heads. God bless you all and may God bless and Comfort the Joe Paterno family. <3
Report Post »encinom
Posted on January 23, 2012 at 6:14pmWomanMarineVietnamera
Report Post »Posted on January 23, 2012 at 5:58pm
For thos of you siding with the cult WBC, just try and visualize the horrible pain the family is going through.
______________________________
I try, but each time I am reminded of the pain the children suffered and that Paterno ignored, to protect his football program and his legacy.
Rodis
Posted on January 24, 2012 at 9:31amHero Joe’s mistake was not calling the law. He knew nothing was being done. Not a hero.
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on January 23, 2012 at 2:50pmThese people of the Westboro Baptist wind up showing the wrong message of Christianity; they do not represent what true Christianity is about in my opinion. I will have nothing to do with them, and why will they not let a grieving family alone.
Report Post »Rational Man
Posted on January 23, 2012 at 2:49pmI think the authorites should let these freaks have free rein to do what they want in this case. Let them get out there and mix it up with a bunch of football fans and rough-ins. And get some good video of it too!
Report Post »NOBAMA201258
Posted on January 23, 2012 at 2:49pmWhen these ******** show up at Joe Pa’s funeral I hope they get the beatdown they so richly deserve, seeing them do this at funerals of our war dead makes my blood boil,God bless Joe and his family
Report Post »DD313
Posted on January 23, 2012 at 2:48pmCan’t wait to see this on the news. It will be like watching NASCAR for the wrecks.
Report Post »barber2
Posted on January 23, 2012 at 2:48pmIf they were a Catholic group, the Pope would excommunicate these sickos. They have hi-jacked the message of Christ as surely as have the Marxist Occupiers . Disgusting group of hate mongers. And why are the connect in web info to the Democrat Underground ? ??
Report Post »whatthecrazy
Posted on January 23, 2012 at 2:48pmThis church is is as evil as islam in my opinion………………..
Report Post »AmericanBumpkin
Posted on January 23, 2012 at 6:08pmagreed
Report Post »AB5r
Posted on January 23, 2012 at 7:04pmThat is an insane comment. However bad these people are they are not going to cut off anyone’s head or do any of the other thousands of things that make Islam Satanically evil and not even remotely comparable to Westboro. Shame on you for trivializing the true evil of Islam and the millions of people killed by Islam.
Report Post »Mandors
Posted on January 23, 2012 at 2:47pmCan’t wait to see some Nittany Lions fans kick the crap out of these psychos.
Report Post »biffer
Posted on January 23, 2012 at 4:05pmThank would be good to see, but these people will be protected by half of the PA State Police force if they show at all. When a funeral for a serviceman was held in Perry County PA, they were warned not to attend and for good reason. This is just a way for these people to get some headlines and keep the name of Westboro in the news. Joe Paterno did what was required of him and the asst. coach admitted he didn’t tell him all that he saw due to respect. Not many people would go over their boss and question their actions. I know many more who would have beat the crap out of Sandusky if they witnessed his actions.
Report Post »rotcarpenter
Posted on January 23, 2012 at 2:47pmObviously they are wrong but “Joe Pa” was not a hero. A football coach that let a pedophile defile children under his watch. That is what Joe Pa was.
Report Post »rush_is_right
Posted on January 23, 2012 at 2:46pmfirst time I agree with westboro….paterno was trash.
Report Post »SoupSandwich
Posted on January 23, 2012 at 3:33pmBingo. Nittany lions deserve some sort of grace our service men and women don’t from these punks and freaks over a pedophile support group-no it’s young attracted not pedophilia. Nice times and people.
Report Post »wigg
Posted on January 23, 2012 at 2:45pmI don’t claim to be an expert when it comes to our Lord. But I‘m pretty sure he doesn’t
“Hate” anyone.
Just sayin
Report Post »Bible Quotin' Science Fearin' Conservative American
Posted on January 23, 2012 at 2:52pmMan these Westboro people are very LOUD and disgusting representatives for Christianity.
And, yes, I understand that they are the minority and not representative of the whole.
But considering how you guys see liberals based on extreme examples, why in the hell should I make that distinction.
Way to go Christians.
Report Post »barber2
Posted on January 23, 2012 at 3:42pmBIBLE: Don’t care what these people call themselves, they are NOT Christians. I can call myself a Martian , but that doesn’t make it true.
Report Post »Kitkarr
Posted on January 23, 2012 at 4:35pmWigg – Certainly, I am no expert either. But in Romans 9:13, in reference to the elect (chosen people) of God, The Bible clearly states that the Edomites (descendants of Esau) are hated by God. Paul actually quotes the Old Testament prophet Malachi (1:3) to reiterate the point.
Its a pretty sketchy debate as to what “hate” means in The Scripture, I guess. I think maybe the point is this, if God does hate, its not our place to decide who He hates and who He doesn’t. Concerning the elect of God, The Bible says that Jesus is the judge of the “quick and the dead” (who He has chosen and who He hasn’t). Acts10:42
I think westboro needs to stop trying to be God and start trying to worship Him.
Report Post »booger71
Posted on January 23, 2012 at 2:41pmThese are the only group of people that deserve to be in a FEMA camp
Report Post »ishka4me
Posted on January 23, 2012 at 2:50pmMy bet is if they show up, they get their rear ends kicked.
Report Post »sWampy
Posted on January 23, 2012 at 2:40pmOh, they better not take on one of the football Gods, all the lawyers and the money in the world can’t protect them form the useless idiots wrath that will bring on their heads.
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