For the last two days, the Johnson City Press has printed articles regarding Westboro Baptist Church coming to Johnson City to "protest" a funeral service for fallen Senior Airman Benjamin D. White.
Here are links to the articles:
Original article (Friday):
Westboro Baptist Members Plan Protest at Local Serviceman's Funeral
Counter-protest article (Saturday)
Plans Underway to Protest Westboro
This Westboro group is a bunch of haters that stage these events to call attention to themselves. In my opinion, best to be ignored.
I have received a couple of messages about folks concerned about what we might do.
We did talk about this at our PFLAG meeting Thursday. We decided NOT to participate in any vigil or counter-protest. There will be no PFLAG presence, no banners, signs, etc.
We are concerned that we not turn this into a circus of some sort. Fred Phelps is a joke and he only does this for the publicity he gets from counter-protests.
The biker groups will be there and there will be plenty of security. The church is huge and will do what it takes to care for the family. I don't know the family and I am not connected with the church. It is important for the church (who is working with the family) to take the lead.
I have contacted the church and offered my support. They replied in an email to me that they essentially have it covered:
"It is our distinct privilege to honor the humility, heroism and sacrifice of Ben White. Ben was an active part of our church. Most importantly, he was a believer in Christ and sought to serve Him, especially through his military service. It is our desire to provide a dignified service allowing his family, our church and community to grieve and glorify God."Funerals are the most sensitive events there are.
The last thing we need is to have our name connected with a some kind of sideshow. In other words, We don't think this is an event for PFLAG. This is not a LGBT rights thing. Fred Phelps and his group are publicity hound weirdos that will be contained by the police and the church.
Certainly folks can do what they need to do. If anyone decides to do something, you might contact the church first and think this through carefully.
Before doing anything, you might consider the letter the pastor of Grace Fellowship (where the funeral will be held) sent to church members:
"June 18, 2010 To the GFC Community,I think that is very good advice for all of us:
As you may have heard, one of our own, Ben White, was killed in action in Afghanistan over a week ago. Ben was a vital part of our church along with his family. The funeral service is planned for Monday evening here in our building.
It has also been reported that a group will protest his military service with a demonstration near the church Monday night. Our understanding is that they will not be permitted beyond Greenwood Drive and Seminole. They will not protest on our property. Law enforcement will handle all issues related to this matter. Understandably, many people have expressed a desire to hold anti-protests or otherwise react to this group. We have been encouraged to be vocal in our repudiation of this group. We are extremely proud of the sacrifice that Ben and other members of the military have made and continue to make for all of us. We do repudiate the theology and tactics of this very fringe group.
However, this group specializes in making a media frenzy out of these events. It is estimated that there may be seven people show up. Sometimes, they do not show up at all-but they have made their point due to the reaction of the community and media. No one in America supports this group and in a sense, our protests only "preach to the choir."
Ben's family honors the right of this group to have their say. In no way does the presence of this group affect how they feel about Ben's honorable service or the support they have received from their country and community. They plan to celebrate Ben's life and mourn his loss with respect and dignity, regardless of what happens "on the street." Our property will be holy ground, set apart for the "things of God" appropriate for the occasion.
It is our intent to stay focused on the needs of the family and on a service that will honor Ben and our Lord. We encourage our members to do the same. Be very careful about giving this group what they want-attention.The following statement is being given to media outlets that request a statement from us and will appear on our web site.
It is our distinct privilege to honor the humility, heroism and sacrifice of Ben White. Ben was an active part of our church. Most importantly, he was a believer in Christ and sought to serve Him, especially through his military service. It is our desire to provide a dignified service allowing his family, our church and community to grieve and glorify God.
Please direct your energy to quiet prayer and support for the White family. Pray for the impact of the service upon all who attend. Pray for the safety of those who join the fray and for law enforcement as they seek to manage a potentially chaotic situation. Pray that our church can provide an example of consistent godliness and grace in the midst of this spectacle.
Thank you for honoring Ben and his family by your continued support and prayer. We will provide an opportunity on Sunday for you to express yourself in writing to the family.May God provide us all wisdom and grace as we navigate the troubled times in which we live.
Tom Oyler, Lead Pastor With Tim Bowers, Staff Pastor, and the support of the elders"
"Be very careful about giving this group what they want-attention...."In the meantime, all of us at PFLAG offer our deepest condolences to the family of Senior Airman Benjamin D. White. He served his country and he gave his life. For that we are forever indebted.
"....Direct your energy to quiet prayer and support for the White family."
By the way,
We have a new steering committee!
We officially elected the following:
Ray White--President
Keith Frederick--Vice President
Scott Paffenroth--Treasurer
Michele Banner--Secretary
Stacey Williams--At Large
I will still help with email and internet stuff as they need me to do so. This group will be wrestling with these kinds of decisions and many others as we move forward.
Peace,
John Shuck, email guy
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