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Church Plans To Picket Outside Camp Lejeune Save Email Print
Posted: 8:33 AM Jan 17, 2008
 Last Updated: 6:05 PM Jul 31, 2008
26 comments
A | A | A

The murder of Maria Lauterbach has attracted the attention of a controversial church based in Kansas.

The Westboro Baptist Church is planning to picket outside Camp Lejeune this Saturday and next Saturday. Westboro Baptist Church members claim the deaths of U.S. military service men and women around the world is God's way of punishing America for its tolerance of homosexuality.

Jacksonville police have rejected a permit request, saying the group did not apply within 10 days before the planned event. Camp Lejeune Base Commander Adele Hodges notified marines to stay away from the demonstration, saying the group may try to generate more publicity by provoking a confrontation.
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Posted by: Cactus Location: Strabain, NC on Jan 20, 2008 at 09:00 PM
Seems like a good time for a military review at the front gate. Time for JAX to show up in response to these idots. I'll be there.
Posted by: P. Richard Location: Havelovk on Jan 19, 2008 at 02:44 PM
That WBC group is just a wannabe bunch of deranged folks... Need some papers taken out (involentary commintment) and send them to Cherry Hospital permently..... TO the Marines ~ SEMPER FI..... 22 yrs retired - USMC GOD BLESS
Posted by: Kellie Location: Lejeune on Jan 19, 2008 at 10:06 AM
Do the research. The church hates Jews, homosexuals, military, muslims...there is no end to their list. It's not affiliated with any other Baptist organizations. They are off on their own tangent. They get their funding from suing people who attack them at these protests. They use their children as shields. They even have their own "language" and brainwash their members. Call the number for the church and you'll get an earful of rehearsed hatred. I did. They are C.R.A.Z.Y. And I agree with everyone who pleads to the media NOT to give them any air time. It fuels their fire. We need to ignore them as best we can.
Posted by: jane Location: greenville on Jan 19, 2008 at 03:24 AM
What does Homosexuality have to do with the millitary? So what is the real purpose of this protest? If sin is the main reason, why just homosexuality? Why not every sin? Sin is Sin. One does not out weigh the other.
Posted by: Air Force Wife Location: Utah on Jan 18, 2008 at 11:48 PM
This extreme group from Kanasas is using this tragedy as a stepping stone to gain more publicity. Let the family of this young woman mourn her death and the death of her infant. It is sick how people use others to jumpstart their stupid cause for something that won't change anyone's life. Please do not allow this Kansas church group any air time or additional publicity. Instead focus on getting the killer(s) of Maria Lauterbach and her baby boy behind bars.
Posted by: Tina Location: Greenville on Jan 18, 2008 at 09:17 PM
David don't think all baptist are nutcases some are really upstanding citizens who realize what the true word is whether then making a vastly wrong interpretation. I think they are totally wrong. God would not allow this young girl and unborn child to be brutally killed to punish those that chose same-sex relationships. That would make God a vengeful God to punish an innocent person for the sin of another and that is not how he operates. Obviously they need prayer that someone will go in there and teach them the right way to live for the lord cause I just don't think they are getting it thru the paster they have now. Your right Patsy God tells us NOT to judge other's. That's his job. We should just pray for those that we feel are not living according to God's word that they may change their life to live for him. None of us are God therefore we can not sit there and say to someone you ain't doing what you are supposed to do because we too sin and can not cast the first stone.
Posted by: patsy Location: Kinston on Jan 18, 2008 at 07:09 PM
To David/Manteo, I can relate to the church and childrens costumes and being accused of withcraft. How stupid can people be? The so called Baptist would take the fun out of funny if they could
Posted by: Marine Wife Location: Camp Lejeune, NC on Jan 18, 2008 at 06:54 PM
I am proud of my husband and all of our Military for what they do. I took a look at the church's website and these people are crazy. I can't believe they hide themselves behind a church name. I can't believe they would come to such a big military town. WITN please don't give them any air time for the respect of the Military families.
Posted by: patsy Location: kinston on Jan 18, 2008 at 06:42 PM
A kansas based church? We have all the lunatics here that we need. Agree will all the post. Sexuality has nothing to do with the military. No air time, please! Besides, aren't "christians" suppose to love thy brother and be accepting? This is absurd! They should be arrested and sent away.
Posted by: jen Location: jacksonville on Jan 18, 2008 at 06:09 PM
I think these people should rot in hell and if they think what is happening to these AMERICAN HEROES is a punishment from God, may God have NO mercy on them when their judgement day comes... oh by the way I would like to know has the Westboro Baptist Church thanked a service member for their right to protest??
Posted by: Kellie Location: Lejeune on Jan 18, 2008 at 05:51 PM
I'm just wondering how the church has twisted the law so that they can do what amounts to terrorism RIGHT AT OUR FRONT GATE. My husband is fighting over there, and we're here being verbally assaulted by small-minded, inbred cult members as we enter the base. Nice.
Posted by: David Location: Manteo on Jan 18, 2008 at 03:55 PM
We lost our belief in the Baptist faith in 2004, when we took our children to a local church for a halloween party that they invited us to and we were kicked out of the church after two of the church members called my young children to their face, "devil worshippers" because one of them was dressed as Harry Potter and the other was wearing an alien costume. These same two people then approached my wife and I and called us bad parents for allowing our children to wear such things and told us to get out and never come back.. All the other children in the church were wearing suits and ties and princess costumes..We really should have been told of the recommended attire but we were not informed. It soon went around town and through the schools that we were doing witch craft because of this incident. Westboro Baptist Church sounds just like them -- A BUNCH OF HYPOCRITES!!
Posted by: David Location: Manteo on Jan 18, 2008 at 03:28 PM
What exactly does homosexuality have to do with the military? I dont understand the concept of this! The Westboro Baptist Church is filled with a bunch of hypocrits and just want something to increase their belief in God. And they want free air time which they should NOT get! It is a disgrace how some of these so called churches operate. Everything is a sin except for their doings and beliefs! "Thou Shall Not Judge," hmmmm hypocrits!!!!
Posted by: frankie Location: Havelock,NC on Jan 18, 2008 at 11:41 AM
We,must honor these people rights as free Americans,so we should assemble the church group,the crypts,aclu,kkk,oj simpson,all child molesters,osama bin laden,and a few of our presidental canidates then assemble in the nearest landfill and have at it
Posted by: William Location: Seven Springs on Jan 17, 2008 at 07:32 PM
I agree with most fo the comments, these people are nuts. Do not give them any air time. A special thanks to all of you men and women in our armed forces, THANK YOU.
Posted by: Carl Location: Choco on Jan 17, 2008 at 07:07 PM
Wow! I would like to add to "Tommy" and "Melisa's" comments by asking you at WITN not to give them one minute of your news broadcast. These people would confuse so many people (non-believers) about the true love of God! Im sure a movie will be made about the sad events that happened in Jacksonville and these people just want a role in it! Its time for a change. Thanks.
Posted by: Tommy Location: Eastern NC on Jan 17, 2008 at 06:35 PM
So the Westboro Baptist Church wants to be on TV by stating that God is killing America's troops because of America's tolerance of homosexuality? I have been a christian my whole life and knowing God's word is very special to me. I am against homosexuality. Preach the Word of God, stand on your faith but dont ever claim God is killing our troops or America. Man created this mess. Im not sure what Bible the Westboro Baptist Church is reading or what God is talking to them but they will only lead people away from God. Wake-up and lead people to God with LOVE, PRAYER and the TRUTH. Someone make sure they get a copy of this please!
Posted by: Melisa Location: Washington, NC on Jan 17, 2008 at 05:23 PM
I personally do not believe that God is punishing anyone of us at the moment. THE DAY OF JUDGMENT WILL COME but it is not now. And furthermore, we will not question or miss it when it does come. For God's thoughts are not our thoughts and His ways are not our ways. I am a Christian, however, I do not believe that others have the right to condemn or assume the reasons why God does something or even allows something. We can "think" all we want but it is wrong and sinful to bring such a false and condemning message as a way to scare people into giving up sin in their life. "There are ways that seem right to man but it ends in destruction", we are talking about a time other than the here and now. May we all remember the punishment already taken on behalf of us when Jesus, the Son of God sacrificed his life on the cross and that there will be judgment passed upon all~ all that is that have rejected to "believe" and have hardened their heart to His Word. Oh yes, there will be a judgment!
Posted by: Mike Location: pantego on Jan 17, 2008 at 04:36 PM
Get a life and find something else worth complaing about,like hmm gas prices,taxes, the crime rate,need i continue.not to mention the military is the reason these freaks are allowed to protest.When did GOD start sideing with hypocrits anyway?
Posted by: Marcia Location: Washington, DC on Jan 17, 2008 at 02:52 PM
Explain something to me. How did Laurean's wife become "a witness" instead of "an accessory or accomplice?" They both talked to an attorney 1 day before he vanished. She produced a note which she claimed he had left. The fact that she accompanied him to the attorney's office says shows that she knew Maria was already dead. If she is "a witness" why did she wait one full day until her husband left before she went to officials? And yes, Sheriff Ed has said repeatedly that there "was a large amount of blood on a wall" and that the home showed signs of "a violent confrontation." What kind of home is it that Mrs. Laurean would have been unaware of something amiss? And what about the yard? Is it possible that my husband could bury/burn something in my yard without my knowledge? I say there is "more in the mortar than the pestle" and this woman is an accessory, if not an accomplice!
Posted by: Bettina Location: Cherry Point on Jan 17, 2008 at 01:19 PM
We can only assume the protestors are fellow Americans who should in fact, thank the military for the ability to share their faith and opinions so freely. However, to do so in such a manner as their website suggests (www.westborobaptistchurch.com), is ignorant and hypocritical on several levels. These people are not welcome around any of our military installations until they can show some respect for the hard work, dedication and sacrifices of our troops. I agree with those who have posted thus far ~ don't give these people the satisfaction of air time! SEMPER FI
Posted by: Veronica Location: Jacksonville on Jan 17, 2008 at 11:29 AM
I think the best way to defeat the WBC's attempt at publically defaming both the military and all it stands for is to ignore them. They're using the death of a marine as a way to get their message out. Both of my parents served this country in the military, and I take great pride in both of them. I know this town supports our troops. I would hope that maybe this station and all other news stations will see what this protest is, and not give these disrespectful people the satisfaction of giving them air/press time. I feel it will only fuel the fire. SEMPER FI
Posted by: Melissa Location: Pitt County on Jan 17, 2008 at 09:51 AM
If God was punishing Americans for their tolerance of homosexuality, why just target the Miltary??? Give me a break! Why then does God allow INNOCENT childern to be murdered, is he punishing them also???
Posted by: Jessica Location: Greenville on Jan 17, 2008 at 09:36 AM
Attention Seekers.....Some people will do anything just to be on TV!!!
Posted by: Debi Location: Indianapolis on Jan 17, 2008 at 08:53 AM
Oh pleazszze! Make room for a bunch of nutcases!
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