Church’s picket plan draws strong local reaction
By MIKE DONAHEY, TIMES-REPUBLICArticle Photos
Some are appalled. Some are agreeable. But one thing is for sure - the Westboro Baptist Church has Marshalltown talking.
The controversial Kansas-based church will on Friday picket the opening night production of "The Laramie Project" near the Martha Ellen Tye Playhouse.
The play about the murder of a gay young man has drawn a mix of opinions from cast members, bloggers and pastors since news of the protest was reported by the Times-Republican.
The article drew 33 online comments and at least two letters to the editor.
One cast member, Jason Vajgrt, referred to the church members as "vile and filthy mouthed people" in a July 19 letter.
Online commenter "RUKIDDINGME" said, "This is wonderful!!! I hope these picketers come to MTN (Marshalltown), stay at our hotels, eat at our dinners, buy our gas and anything else."
Contributor "vrkecel" wrote: "One other thing is that in the Bible it teaches us to embrace our brothers and sisters, not turn our backs on them. Maybe these church picketing people need to read deeper in to the Bible before opening their mouth."
"Charlesincharge" wrote, "I will say however, if there really was a god, I'm sure it would really hate fags."
The Rev. Dave Beckmann of First Presbyterian Church said he doubts the effectiveness of the protest.
"I may agree in principle, but I disagree with the method," said Beckmann. "It is like legislating morality from the outside in. Morality must come from the inside out."
The Rev. Barry Holmes of First Congregational Church described the protest as a sad thing.
"We don't need this again. I'll be praying for God's peace and God's grace," Holmes said.
Another local pastor suggested Christians invest their efforts into promoting Jesus.
The Rev. Steve Harvey of Conrad's Alice Church of God said, "I think that surely there is enough for an outspoken activist and his followers to focus on in their own neighborhoods back in Kansas.
"If Iowa Christians want to speak out against anything, we are fully capable of doing so without the uninvited help of congregations from other states."
To some Westboro Baptist Church members, homosexuality is not a topic up for discussion.
"Homosexuality is an abomination. It is like adultery. Sodomy is against God," said Shirley Phelps-Roger, picket-organizer. "We are protesting the play because it is a tool to teach rebellion against God's standards, it teaches a generation that God is falsely teaching."
WBC is well-known for picketing the funerals of armed forces members. Church members were in Marshalltown Oct. 2006 to protest a funeral of a Marshalltown soldier. Scott Nisely was killed while serving in Iraq.
The church has been actively picketing for about 18 years. According to its Web site, the WBC has conducted more than 41,000 demonstrations.
The church's recent picketing schedule shows protests against other churches, synagogues, newspapers, Jewish newspapers and historical societies.
The group's recent picketing agenda also included protests against the Norwegian and Swedish consulate offices in Minneapolis and against singer-songwriter Billy Joel.
Despite the planned picketing and opinions, the 39 cast members have been rehearsing on schedule. Dress rehearsals have been held this week.
Play director Tom LaVille said he still did not have a specific reaction to the church's decision to protest.
"We are anxious to see the show and how it turns out," LaVille said.
Church members received a permit from the city to picket on public-right-of-way near the playhouse from 6:45 to 7:30 p.m.
---
Contact Mike Donahey at
641-753-6611 or mdonahey@timesrepublican.com
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higherground
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07-24-09 1:53 AM
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Charles-only-wishes-he-was-in-charge - Wow! What an animalistic response! After you were exposed to two verses from a book which I no longer consider the "inspired Word of God", but still an impressive work of literature; I find it interesting that as the passage continues, Verse 6 advises "Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you."
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telemama
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07-24-09 12:55 AM
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Right on, jeffro! "May God bless all of the cast and every audience member who attends this show! I am incredibly proud of them all and I am also proud of Marshalltown for the aggressive reaction to the hate and bigotry being demonstrated by the protesters." jeffro represents the Marshalltown and the church I grew up in--one of tolerance and celebration of life (not of hate crimes). I don't know who these protesters worship, but it sure ain't the savior I knew as a child. They do, however, represent the reason I no longer attend church or raise my child in what passes for christianity these days. I can teach my boy the lessons of Christ (forgiveness, tolerance, and love) better than these narrow-minded fools can. They can protest all they want, but they are not speaking for Jesus or any of his true disciples.
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Johnny
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07-23-09 11:37 PM
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Grad, please don't feed the animals...duh
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GradStudent
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07-23-09 9:37 PM
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I would encourage you all to watch the movie "Religulous." Don't dismiss it just "because it's Bill Maher." The movie discusses a lot of questions about religion in general. The concept of religion is important to humanity but putting all your marbles behind one story that has the same elements as several ancient religions while thinking it is THE way is a little silly. You know how we tell our kids that thunder is "angels bowling" or something like that? Well that is essentially what religion is for adults--something to make us feel better. Anyway, these protesters are a joke. We are only justifying them by giving them attention. If no one paid them any attention, what good would they do? People getting their undies in a wad is exactly what they want so why do it? I don't care who you are, that F-word you are using, Charles, is offensive. I am appalled that the TR actually used that word in the quote. Would you do that with the N-word? I doubt it.
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Techweenie
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07-23-09 6:27 PM
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"actively picketing for about 18 years"... "conducted more than 41,000 demonstrations"... Not so much a church as a political organization. I attended church in Marshalltown the entire 25+ years I lived there. Can't remember the church organizing a single demonstration.
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Modor20
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07-23-09 9:09 AM
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The Times Republican shows just how worthless of a publication it is when a moron like CharlesnCharge can get his comments published.
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higherground
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07-23-09 1:25 AM
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I think Shirley Phelps-Roger should consider the command and warning given by Jesus during his Sermon on the Mount recorded at Matthew Chap.7 Verse 1 and 2: "Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgement ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again."
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herkeye
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07-23-09 12:25 AM
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say it chuckncheese..."I am not smarter than a 5th grader"...and believe me, you're not!
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Johnny
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07-22-09 11:07 PM
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You wouldn't make a pimple on my old man's ass. Good spelling though!
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Johnny
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07-22-09 9:42 PM
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Maybe you shouldn't drink while your posting Chuck. Just trying to help a brother out...
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CentralIowaMan
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07-22-09 9:01 PM
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I wouldn't take too much heart into what Chuck speaks about. Heck he cannot even spell correctly. Example it is cold STEEL not cold STEAL. That alone tells me his IQ bracket.
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Johnny
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07-22-09 5:01 PM
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Aggressive reaction?? Not that I agree with the play (no idea on that), but someone coming in from another state to tell us that we are going to eat our children should be tarred and feathered and run out of town on a rail. Ahh for the good ol' days!
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jefffro
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07-22-09 3:29 PM
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May God bless all of the cast and every audience member who attends this show! I am incredibly proud of them all and I am also proud of Marshalltown for the aggressive reaction to the hate and bigotry being demonstrated by the protesters.
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