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‘God hates Corona del Mar High School’ says church that plans to protest ‘Rent’ production
April 21st, 2009, 12:41 pm · 60 Comments · posted by PAUL HODGINS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
The Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kansas is planning to send demonstrators to protest a performance of the musical “Rent” on Friday at Corona del Mar High School. The church has gained national exposure by appearing at public events to draw attention to its anti-gay stance.
The student show had been the subject of controversy earlier this spring when Ron Martin, the high school’s drama teacher, claimed that its principal, Fal Asrani, prohibited the production — an allegation she denied.
Martin told me he had decided to stage “Rent” this year, in part, because of anti-gay incidents that had taken place at his school. “We need to have a more open dialogue about some of the issues, and ‘Rent’ is a good way to do that,” Martin said.
“WBC to picket the (homosexual) play ‘Rent,’ a lying, maudlin piece of propaganda about the alleged struggles of AIDS-infected (homosexuals) in DOOMED aMERICA!” is the headline on Westboro Baptist Church’s online news release. The release ends with the words, “God Hates (homosexuals) and (their) Enablers; Ergo, God Hates Corona del Mar High School!”
The protest will take place in front of the high school from 6:30 to 7 p.m., but it won’t be large. There will be fewer than 10 protesters, according to Shirley Phelps-Roper, an attorney and Westboro Baptist Church member.
Asked why the church chose to picket Corona del Mar High School’s production of “Rent,” Phelps-Roper talked about the message she thinks the Tony-winning musical sends.
“Gods says homosexuality is an abomination,” Phelps-Roper said. If parents permit their children to see and participate in “Rent,” “you’re teaching your children that God is a big, fat liar. God says, ‘Yeah, you can teach rebellion, but I’m telling you not to. If you do, I’m going to bereave you of your children. I will dash them to pieces before your very eyes.’”
Phelps-Roper said the demonstrators will be easy to spot. “They’ll have signs that are plain and clear and happy and bright.”
Previously:
ACLU inquiry revealed more homophobic incidents at CDMHS
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Britain recently banned these idiots from entering the country, maybe California should do the same?
Love thy neighbor indeed.
I don’t have the time … but some, please make the following sign and stand near them …
“Go back to your closet! — Mathew 6:5-6″
PS- if you believe this message is anti-gay, read the passage, then get back to me.
They are more of a lunatic family, than a church.
We can’t ban them since there is freedom of speech. But this group is an extremely small fringe group that manages to get press coverage way out of proportion to its size. Note the lawyer’s last name, Phelps. She is probably the daughter or possibly granddaughter of the founder, Fred Phelps or some relative. A large part of the “congregation” are his family members.
They purport to believe the Bible but they distort its message. God does not hate homosexuals. He says the sin is an abomination, but he does not hate the people.
They will have to give account to God for the way that they misrepresent Him.
And the above said does not take away from the fact that there can be legitimate concerns about putting on this play. But we don’t need a fringe group from Kansas to get involved in S CA.
why not? we had Mormons in utah telling us how to vote last november and we all know how that went
what’s the difference?
To clarify — There are 850,000 Mormons in California who did the grass roots work here in support of Prop 8.
It amazes me that in the year 2009, we still have restrictions on Civil/Human Rights. The kids who work and rehearse for weeks upon weeks for a musical production in high school do not need protesters outside mocking them. Making them feel shameful for the hard work they put in? How is that progress? I support Corona Del Mar High 100%. (even though I am a Costa Mesa High graduate. Class of ‘96)
The Westboro Baptist Church people are the same people who carry “God hates fags” signs and picket and demonstrate at funerals for our nation’s fallen soldiers of Iraq & Afghanistan.
This goes beyond freedom of speech. They are downright offensive. Even most people who are against gay marriage, do not agree or support what the Westboro Baptist Church is doing.
The Westboro Baptist Church protesters are the extremists here and should be banned from California. Go back to Kansas!
In reference to the above comments:
I may disagree strongly, but I still support their right to say whatever they want to. Essentially, you are advocating suppression of free speech by banning people from demonstrating. You may not like what they say, but do you believe in free speech, freedom of expression?
These comment show me that America is changing. There is no longer freedom of speech. Unless we say the “right” things, we get banned.
I thought god didn’t hate?? If he does, it will be against biggots who hide behind their church and their so called words of god.
These freaks are the worst of the worst - the same folks who protested at Iraq War veterans’ funerals, because the solider’s deaths were God’s punishment for Amereican “tolerance” of homosexuality (as if). It’s all a family affair with Fred Phelps et al, and a sleazy one at that. I’m sad for the kids who’ll have even the slighest pall cast over their production by these loons.
Since the community judges what is good or bad in their own community who cares. Corona Del Mar is a gay community, let them watch whatever they want to watch.
FiFi, God hates sin, and there are some things that are mentioned that He hates, but not people.
But don’t get so excited about this group. They are an extremely small group from Kansas that is repudiated by most churches that I know of.
If you want to know what God says, read His word the Bible–and not just selected passages. The gospel of John is a good place to start and does talk of His love.
Yeah, read the whole thing. Even the part where it says that you can kill your wife if she disobeys you. Do you believe that?
Fred Felps is, allegedly, a con man. According to the writings on this site (go, read, really:
http://www.kanewj.com/wbc/ ), Phelps does what he does to get others riled and cross lines. Then Phelps sues. So don’t freak out at what he does… look at it as an elaborate con, taking things right up to the edge of legality and tempting you to cross over to the other side, so you can make Fred Phelps rich when he sues you.
The first paragraph:
QUOTE
It’s a business. They travel the country, set up websites telling you exactly when they’ll be there, and using the most inflammatory statements all over the place, just to get someone to violate their rights for profit. Then they sue the military, the police force that was to protect them, and everyone that is around them for money. This is a sham, and it is a trap to get people sued. Every member of his family is an attorney. Phelps does not break the law. What he does is try to make you break the law by trying to punch your sensibilities about everything you hold dear, and then sue you and everyone municipality around him to the max.
END QUOTE
Well, then OC4truth, God’s pretty pissed off at half the married population of Orange County for getting divorced. The Bible is pretty clear about divorce but that’snot convenient for the hypocritical Christians that inhabit the OC and the rest of the country.
Where’s your outrage at divorce/ Why aren’t you trying to get a referendum on the ballot to outlaw divorce? God clearly says it’s only acceptable in the case of adultery and that only the injured party may remarry. The adulterer may not.
C’mon OC4truth. Live up to your name. Where’s your outrage over the millions of Christians who have ignored God’s word over divorce?
It’s very sad that people with hate in their hearts would use God as a jumping board for their hate. …and who would even worship a God who is cruel and unjust? If their God says you should hate people, then perhaps they should consider finding another, more loving, God.
Just like most gays are not represented by the drag queens and go-go muscle boys you see in gay pride parade highlights on the evening news, these freaks are not representative of most Christians. It’s the fringe elements that always get the attention, no matter how small the group is.
I agree with what Britain did in banning these people, but honestly why do people have the time and money in this economy to fly out to a local high school to protest (in a high media area), when probably 10 other high schools across the country are probably putting on the same show (or worse).
Maybe God hates Westboro Baptist. Class act all the way…
Anti-gay church!!!!Maybe they should tell this to half their childmolesting priests and pastors!!!!!
Can’t ban them from protesting but as freedom loving Americans, we do reserve the right to laugh at them as they make asses of themselves.
Those poor Westboro kids won’t even get to go to Disneyland because mommy and daddy think Disney is “the devil”….:(
Well, this just got interesting!
It will be fascinating to see if other local OC churces come out and counter-protest against these Baptists. I have a feeling none of the local churches will come out and stand up for free speech and all of the things that Jesus actually preached, but it would be neat to see that happen.
I love how it’s always people from outside of California that get involved with things that happen here. I mean gee, who are the ones that threw prop 8 on the ballot? Out of state organizations and churches! This is ridiculous and if I was in the area, I would go smack these people in the head!
Morons.
God doesn’t hate.
Here is a quote that I use and may show up and use Friday night. “you have the right to say what you want, and I have the right to punch you in the mouth if I disagree. “
I goggled this church and they’re not representing Christians at all. They all seem like a bunch of nut jobs! Just tell them all to go home. If you don’t want to see the play don’t see it period. And yes I voted yes on 8.
When is the Orange County Register going to quit printing all these gay stories about the Johnny girls and the Nancy boys.??
deshard- you comment is personal attack. Calm down…you are going to have a stroke…
caseclosed: when you come out of the closet. Your name should be casecloseted.
I wonder if California needs border patrol to the East and North. Why are we being bullied by haters from Kansas and rich judges from Utah? Maybe we should take them on their own land and send our gay lovers to protest infront of their churches, temples and theaters. Here’s a big KISS!
These fools coming to Corona del Mar?
Sounds like the Beverly Hillbillies all over again.Offer them some Grey Poupon.
This group is so nutty they even protest other churches. And I am not talking about some progressive church either. I’m talking Baptist churches. Sometimes I can’t even figure out why they are protesting somewhere. But here’s their travel list for anyone that wants to see what these crazies are all about…upside down American flag and all:
http://www.godhatesfags.com/schedule.html
I’ll be out there Friday, telling them to go back to the hellmouth they came out of (also known as Kansas).
Good going CdM High School! Nothing sells tickets as well as pickets and protests in front of the theatre. Now, if someone would just arrange a small scuffle or fist fight in front of the TV cameras. That might extend the show’s run!
The same part of the Bible that says gays should be killed also says that eating shrimp is an abomination. Perhaps a protest demonstration outside of the Lake Forest location of the Red Lobster restaurant is in order…..
but as Rick Warren conveniently pointed out on 60 mins (or was it 20/20) there are certain old laws christians get to ignore and other ones that they dont. of course Rick knows exactly which is which and they just happen to fall in line with his personal beliefs which he then passes on to his followers.
i have no problems with christians whatsoever as long as they can think for themselves and dont just blindly follow along with whatever their pastor tells them. put 10 pastors in a room together and they are bound to disagree to some degree, so why should we just take their word for it (like probably 99% of most christians) without researching it for ourselves? the Phelps clan is an example of a worst case scenario group of brainwashed followers
This is just ridiculous. People need to get over the gay issue already…seriously
once prop 8 is repealed i’m sure a lot of people will. that is until the self-righteous “i wish i could have lived in the 1950s” types bring it up again
Can we get them a tornado to ride out on?
I agree with the statement the drama teacher made - “We need to have a more open dialogue about some of the issues, and ‘Rent’ is a good way to do that.”
Just because we close our eyes and cover our ears doesn’t mean this issue will go away.
Christians are not suppose to judge others!!
I think a good old fashioned Tar-and-Feathering is in order. If not them personally, then their van….
checklist
Tar and mops…. Home Depot
Feathers (preferably rainbow-colored) …Michael’s…..
Picture of chicken-baptists driving away indignantly….priceless!
I should have commented on this story before the one above it but I agree with most people here. It just seems so hypocritical for them to so harshly judge others when Christians preach “let he who is without sin cast the first stone” and I’m pretty sure that these wackjobs from Kansas are not perfect.
But honestly from looking at the past there really is no stopping groups like this. sad
will there be anyone protesting back at these dumb dumbs? let me know, im a local and would like to join!
Yes outofstep. We will be there! In fact, there will most likely be a rather large counter protest that will probably outnumber the protesters. However, we don’t want a confrontational scene with these nutjobs, so people are being asked to only bring signs with positive messages on them. See ya there!
ok sweet. i was thinking of God Hates Haters. what time?
What worries me is that these wackos are only the extreme tip of the right-wing evangelical iceberg that won’t be happy until the United States becomes a Christian theocracy.
I go to Cdm and they are coming to our school at 2-3 tomorw.
Those in ‘rent’ and just anyone who opposes this group from kansas is having a silent protest against them promoting love and peace anyone can come, no hateful signs. I know about like half our school will be there.
thats my school and our teachers said that we cant do anything back to them and its very agrovating. i think this is cruel and sick. Mr.martin is one of my teachers.
Thank god like people like all of you that can see what arrogance can do to you. Even people I know against gay marriage can see how incredibly hurtful and rediculous WBC is. These are a group of adults banning together, threatening high school students and polluting the world with their trash.
What ever happened to love thy neighbor??
These people are against so many things that they leave me questioning what do they stand for. I have never met a person such as these that has so much hate in their heart and I hope that we all never become them,
According to the Bible only God can Judge-He without sin cast the first stone. No Human on earth is without sin. Therefore none of us can judge anyone for the choices they make in life. We should allow our moral compass to guide us along the way. If they are not commiting a crime (which discrimination against them is a hate crime) then leave them alone already. I think these so called religous leaders should be charged for hate crimes for what they are doing to the Gay/Hommosexual community. Who gives them the right to say these people are less than any of the rest of us. Their hate is no different than that of the white supremisist, or even Hitler.
Wow, so many interesting comments on this post!
I believe they are being too dramatic by saying that God hates Corona Del Mar High School. Let them be! Its just a play… just a form or expression of art! nothing more to it, people are just making a big deal out of it…
Well, that was NO “silent” counter-protest taged by the CdM community…. more like a rock concert. The good thing was that it was a decidedly upbeat, feel-good kind of response that drew a lot of people out to generate a lot of positive energy.
The Bible also says that it’s alright to own slaves but somehow these lunatics from Westboro don’t have any pro-slavery, “God wants you to own slaves” signs.
…And they can’t think of something better to do with their time and money than come out here from Kansas? Would it ruin their reputation if they spent their ticket money on helping a needy family pay their rent (no pun intended) or pay their utilities? They really must be a church of no graciousness.
Phelps is an idiot
This ‘church’ is not a church. Honestly - take a look.
This is a group that hates homosexual people. To justify their ‘effort’ they use Christianity as its sword and shield.
It’s simple as that. And I cannot possibly understand how anyone would support them, other than members of their own group.
Normal hate groups I do not mind too much, but this one goes out of its way to stick their nose in everything.
Go back to Kansas.