
A Heritage for generations to come
FRANKLIN, Tenn. — In its next two decades, the Heritage…
Amid a sea of American flags, bikers, military personnel and others crowd the grounds of the Woodmont Hills Church of Christ in opposition to a protest by members of Westboro Baptist Church. (Photo by Ted Parks)
The Westboro Baptist Church sent three of its members to Nashville, Tenn., to protest at the funeral of Marine Sgt. Kevin Balduf.
Arriving at the Woodmont Hills Church of Christ, bearing signs that read “Thank God for dead soldiers” and “God is your enemy,” the three protesters were met by a sea of U.S. flags, waved by crowd of nearly 2,000 counter-protesters.
Bikers, military personnel and families with children crowded the lawn of the Woodmont Hills church, declaring their opposition to the controversial message of the Westboro church in Topeka, Kan., an independent group not associated with established Baptist organizations.
The Tennessean reports:
News of Westboro Baptist Church’s plans lit up social media sites, resulting in a counter-protest of about 2,000 people Monday outside Woodmont Hills Family of God church on Franklin Pike. In less than 10 minutes, two hours before the funeral’s start, the three Westboro protesters took their leave.
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Since a March Supreme Court ruling in favor of Westboro Baptist, counter-protesters have stepped up their efforts to shout the group down at soldiers’ funerals. America must allow “even hurtful speech on public issues to ensure that we do not stifle public debate,” Chief Justice John Roberts wrote in his opinion for the court.
All but one justice sided with the church, which has stirred outrage with raucous demonstrations contending that God is punishing the military for the nation’s tolerance of homosexuality. The church was started in 1955 and regularly protests the funerals of soldiers nationwide.
The Topeka church didn’t respond to calls and emails requesting comment Monday, and the protesters left the funeral area without speaking to media.
Read the full story.
Balduf, a 2002 graduate of David Lipscomb High School, was killed in action on May 12 in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. Read more in our earlier post about his life.
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