Church Intends to Picket Hollywood Star's Funeral
http://www.afterhours.ie/articles/41/1/Church-Intends-to-Picket-Hollywood-Star039s-Funeral/Page1.html
Patrick Conboy
A confirmed audiophile, Patrick is on hand to bring you news and reviews from the music world. You can also read his blog at http://www.garfieldsghost.com By Patrick Conboy
Published on 01/24/2008
A US church claims God ended the life of Heath Ledger because he portrayed a homosexual in a Hollywood movie. Members of the Kansas-based Westboro Baptist Church now intend to picket the late actor’s memorial service.
Westboro Baptist Church plans another funeral picket
A US church claims God ended the life of Heath Ledger because he portrayed a homosexual in a Hollywood movie. Members of the Kansas-based Westboro Baptist Church now intend to picket the late actor's memorial service.
The extremist religious group - which is not recognised or endorsed by any other Baptist institution - routinely travels throughout the USA to protest at the funerals of homosexuals, AIDS victims, and American soldiers who have died in combat. Normally, their demonstrations involve the chanting and wielding of placards with slogans such as 'God Hates Fags', 'You're Going to Hell', and 'Thank God for Dead Soldiers'. They have now singled-out Ledger because of his portrayal of a gay ranch worker in the film 'Brokeback Mountain'.
Members of the church, headed by founder Fred Phelps, have distributed flyers stating that its members will picket the star's remembrance ceremonies because, "Heath Ledger thought it was great fun defying God Almighty… [he] is now in Hell, and has begun serving his eternal sentence there." The pamphlet then goes on to vilify the movie, saying, "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." In addition to the leaflet's claims, Shirley Phelps-Roper, a spokesperson for the WBC, said that, "he got on that big screen with a big fat message: God is a liar and it's okay to be gay."
The Westboro Baptist Church, whose congregation is estimated to number around 150, plans to picket any services held in the United States but will not be travelling to Australia where the funeral is to be held. Phelps founded the church in 1955 after he was relieved of his position as pastor at the nearby Eastside Baptist Church.
Heath Ledger, who was 28, was considered to be one of Hollywood's brightest young talents - having garnered critical acclaim for his performances in blockbusters such as 'The Patriot', and 'Monsters Ball'. He had recently completed filming for the upcoming Batman movie 'The Dark Knight', in which he played the role of The Joker. He is survived by his daughter Matilda.
The extremist religious group - which is not recognised or endorsed by any other Baptist institution - routinely travels throughout the USA to protest at the funerals of homosexuals, AIDS victims, and American soldiers who have died in combat. Normally, their demonstrations involve the chanting and wielding of placards with slogans such as 'God Hates Fags', 'You're Going to Hell', and 'Thank God for Dead Soldiers'. They have now singled-out Ledger because of his portrayal of a gay ranch worker in the film 'Brokeback Mountain'.
Members of the church, headed by founder Fred Phelps, have distributed flyers stating that its members will picket the star's remembrance ceremonies because, "Heath Ledger thought it was great fun defying God Almighty… [he] is now in Hell, and has begun serving his eternal sentence there." The pamphlet then goes on to vilify the movie, saying, "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." In addition to the leaflet's claims, Shirley Phelps-Roper, a spokesperson for the WBC, said that, "he got on that big screen with a big fat message: God is a liar and it's okay to be gay."
The Westboro Baptist Church, whose congregation is estimated to number around 150, plans to picket any services held in the United States but will not be travelling to Australia where the funeral is to be held. Phelps founded the church in 1955 after he was relieved of his position as pastor at the nearby Eastside Baptist Church.
Heath Ledger, who was 28, was considered to be one of Hollywood's brightest young talents - having garnered critical acclaim for his performances in blockbusters such as 'The Patriot', and 'Monsters Ball'. He had recently completed filming for the upcoming Batman movie 'The Dark Knight', in which he played the role of The Joker. He is survived by his daughter Matilda.