Westboro Baptist Church “Thanks God” for Joplin Victims

The Westboro Baptist Church (WBC) has found a new group of people to rally against. The Kansas church, most infamous for its hatred of homosexuals, posted a document last Monday on its website celebrating the deaths of the Joplin, Missouri tornado victims.

“Thank God for 89 dead & counting in Joplin, Mo & 1 dead in Reading, KS!” the document declared in capital letters. “God’s whirlwind is pounding the enemies of Christ! WBC will picket your raging blasphemous stinky memorials!”

The members believe this tragedy in Joplin—and all other tragedies around the world—happened because God wants to punish people for homosexuality. The group plans to protest at the memorial service planned for Sunday, and will rally against President Barack Obama’s visit as well.

“Enter stage left Antichrist himself —Beast Barack Obama—with big-mouth trumpeting about Rebuilding,” a new document, posted yesterday, said.  “God’s promised you will not rebuild brutes!”

WBC has recently gained media attention by picketing at soldier funerals, and members claim Missouri Governor Jay Nixon has attacked them by supporting laws prohibiting protesting at these services.

But before WBC goes to Missouri, they plan to protest outside three high schools in Savannah, Georgia tomorrow. They protested outside several Savannah churches last Sunday.

To help promote unity within the town and to contrast Westboro’s message, community groups in Savannah held a candlelight vigil on Wednesday to promote peace.

“These people should be ashamed of themselves,” Chastity Bingham said in a comment on ozarksfirst.com. “If I was there I would definitely have a hard time not attacking them! These people disturb me deeply!”

The WBC group sometimes referred to as a cult, has previously praised Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords’ shooter, protested against Jews at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C. and has renamed Australia “Sodom.” The WBC also parodies songs by popular artists such as The Beatles and Lady Gaga.

WBC is led by Fred Phelps and about 85% of its followers are related by blood or marriage. More information about the church can be found on its website godhatesfags.com.