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*Anti-Gay Church Protests at G.I.'s Funerals in Tennessee*
*Faction Claims Troops Punished by God for Defending Country Harboring
Gays*
By BETH RUCKER, AP

SMYRNA, Tenn. (Aug. 28) - Members of a church say God is punishing
American soldiers for defending a country that harbors gays, and they
brought their anti-gay message to the funerals Saturday of two Tennessee
soldiers killed in Iraq.

The church members were met with scorn from local residents. They chased
the church members cars' down a highway, waving flags and screaming "God
bless America."

"My husband is over there, so I'm here to show my support," 41-year-old
Connie Ditmore said as she waved and American flag and as tears came to
her eyes. "To do this at a funeral is disrespectful of a family, no
matter what your beliefs are."

The Rev. Fred Phelps, founder of Westboro Baptist in Kansas, contends
that American soldiers are being killed in Iraq as vengeance from God
for protecting a country that harbors gays. The church, which is not
affiliated with a larger denomination, is made up mostly of Phelps'
children, grandchildren and in-laws.

The church members carried signs and shouted things such as "God hates
fags" and "God hates you."

About 10 church members protested near Smyrna United Methodist Church
and nearly 20 stood outside the National Guard Armory in Ashland City.
Members have demonstrated at other soldier funerals across the nation.

The funerals were for Staff Sgt. Asbury Fred Hawn II, 35, in Smyrna and
Spc. Gary Reese Jr., 22, in Ashland City. Both were members of the
Tennessee National Guard.

Hundreds of Smyrna and Ashland City residents and families of other
soldiers turned out at both sites to counter the message the Westboro
Baptist members brought.

So many counterdemonstrators were gathered in Ashland City that police,
sheriff's deputies and state troopers were brought in to control traffic
and protect the protesters.

The church members held protesting permits, and counterprotesters in
Smyrna turned their backs to Westboro Baptist members until time expired
on the protest permits.

"If they were protesting the government, I might even join them," Danny
Cotton, 56, said amid cries of "get out of our town" and "get out of our
country."

"But for them to come during the worst time for this family - it's just
wrong."

I just can't get over how churches find it ok to preach hate. In the same breath they say "God loves everyone" and then say "God doesn't love gays." I don't love people who can be that hypocritical as well as quick to use religion as a tool for hate.

-Rhoda

Yea, but Phelps is a nut. It does say that: The church, which is not affiliated with a larger denomination, is made up mostly of Phelps' children, grandchildren and in-laws.

My girlfriend made a good point this week by saying that these guys (being so crazy) actually help us out.

Reguardless, it's hard to see someone's funeral disrespected like that.