Westboro Baptist Church's finances

[nhboy]

How do you feel about a probe into Westboro Baptist Church's finances?

After being ordered to may almost $11 million to the father of a fallen Marine, Westboro Baptist Church and its three leaders reported a net worth of less than $1 million combined, according to court documents, but some people aren't buying it. “There’s a gap in the income they’re declaring and what they’re spending; it’s like the Grand Canyon,” said Craig Trebilcock, an attorney for Albert Snyder, who sued the church after its members protested the funeral of his son, Marine Lance Cpl. Matthew Snyder.

How do you feel about a probe into Westboro Baptist Church's finances?
Sound off and add your voice to a local daily discussion. Vote in our poll, then just scroll to the comment box below, tell us what you think and click "Send." Read and respond to other examiNation Baltimore questions.

examiNation Baltimore: How do you feel about a probe into Westboro Baptist Church's finances? - Examiner.com

 

[Dork]

How do you feel about a probe into Westboro Baptist Church's finances?

After being ordered to may almost $11 million to the father of a fallen Marine, Westboro Baptist Church and its three leaders reported a net worth of less than $1 million combined, according to court documents, but some people aren't buying it. “There’s a gap in the income they’re declaring and what they’re spending; it’s like the Grand Canyon,” said Craig Trebilcock, an attorney for Albert Snyder, who sued the church after its members protested the funeral of his son, Marine Lance Cpl. Matthew Snyder.

How do you feel about a probe into Westboro Baptist Church's finances?
Sound off and add your voice to a local daily discussion. Vote in our poll, then just scroll to the comment box below, tell us what you think and click "Send." Read and respond to other examiNation Baltimore questions.

examiNation Baltimore: How do you feel about a probe into Westboro Baptist Church's finances? - Examiner.com

These idiots need to be probed, financially and anally. Something needs to be done to shut these people down. In a time of sorrow for anyone who has just lost a loved one to war, these people show up and protest. It's horrible. Hopefully everyone of these military families who has been affected by this group will start to file suit.

 

[Sonsie]

They should seize and auction off all the "church" property, vehicles, and holdings that belong to this group. Then go after the personal finances of it's founders.

 

[residentofcre]

I didn't see two things in this report....

Let's look at some other questions... And before I take a side I have to admit that I don't think a church should ever deny a christian barial [sp?] to a soldier....

Was the soldier a member of the church? Did he live in the church neighborhood? Does the church have a written document about only allowing church members in the cementary? Had the soldier been excommunicated from the church for some reason? I don't see the reason they turned this soldier down,,,,,

Seperation of church and state protect the church in this matter... it may be right to say we need to allow an audit but is it constitutional? If a group of hate mongers wanted to destroy churches, a witch hunt could be brought against the leading members of churches if this were allowed to continue...

Were they wrong? I don't have all the answers... Should they be investigated... Yes by the Baptist Church... openly....in the Church

 

[nhboy]

Seperation of church and state protect the church in this matter... it may be right to say we need to allow an audit but is it constitutional?

Were they wrong? I don't have all the answers... Should they be investigated... Yes by the Baptist Church... openly....in the Church

The government grants tax exemption to religious and other organizations and has the responsibility to ensure they meet its regulations. In my view self regulation won't reveal any fraud or hiding of assets. Better an outside organization investigate their finances.

 

[crabcake]

That church and it's leaders, members, followers and supporters should all be banned from the US and/or exterminated. They spew the most vile, worst kind of "religion" I've ever heard and do no good that I'm aware of to be classified as a real chuch. They're worse than Jesse Jackson's reverend-ism. And this is a classic example of someone/group taking "free speech" and twisting it into a self-serving weapon of hate and ignorance.

 

[residentofcre]

That church and it's leaders, members, followers and supporters should all be banned from the US and/or exterminated. They spew the most vile, worst kind of "religion" I've ever heard and do no good that I'm aware of to be classified as a real chuch. They're worse than Jesse Jackson's reverend-ism. And this is a classic example of someone/group taking "free speech" and twisting it into a self-serving weapon of hate and ignorance.

After reading the other link about this I have to say they're definitely not the kind of church I would attend... but then again... I don't know the whole story...

 

[Pete]

After reading the other link about this I have to say they're definitely not the kind of church I would attend... but then again... I don't know the whole story...

Not very up on current events are you?

 

[crabcake]

After reading the other link about this I have to say they're definitely not the kind of church I would attend... but then again... I don't know the whole story...

Here's just a taste of their "religion".

<object height="355" width="425">

<embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/b3PyoUPcobA&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="355" width="425"></object>

 

[crabcake]

I love Sean Hannity! Hell, even Alan Colmes thinks she's a damn nut!

More "Westboro Baptist" bullchit:

<object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/M3Yaoe5273s&rel=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/M3Yaoe5273s&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>

 

[residentofcre]

At the beginning [before Youtube] I thought this was just about one church turning down a funeral request. Churchs turn down funeral requests all the time because there's only so much room in the cemetary... and they face law suits sometimes because the families don't know where else to put their grief. But this is an entirely different story....

The question here is are we in the end times?....

Is this woman prophetic? She knows the scriptures better than anyone I have heard... she stays on point... she's not easily taken off topic...

If she is really prophetic we are looking at some catastrophic events in the near future....

She's the internet and tv version of the man on the street corner saying "The end is near! repent!"

That's the discussion... is she really prophetic? I've never seen that message get such a large audience....

 

[residentofcre]

Not very up on current events are you?

No... Since 911 I watch House and CSI instead of Fox or CNN.... These forums keep me up with what is relavent to Southern Maryland... If I watched this stuff all the time I would really be wacko... that's just me tho....

I have to admit... a lot of what this woman is saying makes sense to me... [boy am I going to get a bunch of red karma for that one... but the truth is sometimes not so nice to hear] I don't think I would go out an picket... but then again... maybe that's what this is....

 

[crabcake]

I have to admit... a lot of what this woman is saying makes sense to me...

No offense, but I'm glad I'm not living in a community where you're looking to be my representative. To say "God loves dead soldiers" ... "God hates Fags" ... etc. That's not any sort of "scripture" I've ever heard while attending a legitimate church. It's not her job to judge the actions/choices of others. If you're a believer in the afterlife and God, that's HIS job. She should stick to "preaching" in her church and leave folks -- especially those mourning the loss of a loved one -- alone!

 

[KingFish]

I agree with Janet Parshall when she stated
God's Love Scripture tells us to "expose the deeds of darkness" and there is something very dark about the Westboro Baptist Church. It is very hard for me to identify this group as a Church since it is so difficult to see Jesus in all of their hateful verbiage.

With a prideful arrogance, the members of WBC love to show up at the funerals of soldiers with signs that proclaim, falsely, "God hates fags," or "Thank God for dead soldiers." But maybe their extra-curricular activity will be curtailed in the future.

In their twisted world, they think that every time a soldier dies, it is God's judgment against America for embracing homosexuality. While I do not minimize the truth that Scripture does call this activity sin, the Bible also says sex outside of marriage is sin. Why don't they carry signs that say, "God hates adulterers?" More importantly, why carry signs at all?

Rather than pretend to be agents of God's wrath (God can handle that all by Himself), aren't we called to speak the Truth in love? God is a God who will judge us all someday, as Scripture teaches us. But screaming at the culture like some phony false prophet is not how the lost while find the WAY.

Those who have "poured out that last full measure of devotion" should be honored, especially at their funerals. The jury was right in their verdict. Sadly, the father will probably never see a penny and there will be endless appeals. As more states pass measures prohibiting protests at funerals, groups like WBC will have to find some other way to show their hatred.

In the meantime, those who love the Lord have a tremendous opportunity to share the love of Christ within our own sphere of influence. Our goal should be to honor Him in all we do by living out our lives following Truth and exhibiting love. It's a challenge that will take the rest of our lives - but it is a challenge worth taking up.

 

[aps45819]

Let's look at some other questions... And before I take a side I have to admit that I don't think a church should ever deny a christian burial [sp?] to a soldier....

They're not denying a funeral, they're using them for publicity

Was the soldier a member of the church? Did he live in the church neighborhood? Does the church have a written document about only allowing church members in the cemetery? Had the soldier been excommunicated from the church for some reason? I don't see the reason they turned this soldier down,,,,,

They caused the Feds to pass a law prohibiting demonstrating withing 100 ft of the entrance to a federal cemetery. Several states have done the same for private cemeteries.

Separation of church and state protect the church in this matter... it may be right to say we need to allow an audit but is it constitutional? If a group of hate mongers wanted to destroy churches, a witch hunt could be brought against the leading members of churches if this were allowed to continue...

Churches enjoy tax fee status but are still required to keep records of income and expenses. I don't see a problem with any church being audited if there appears to be a major discrepancy between declared income and obvious expenses. These folks do a LOT of traveling around the country attempting to disrupt the funerals of the brave men and women that sacrificed themselves for our country.

Were they wrong? I don't have all the answers... Should they be investigated... Yes by the Baptist Church... openly....in the Church

They are not affiliated with any legitimate branch of the Baptist church.

 

[itsbob]

Were they wrong? I don't have all the answers... Should they be investigated... Yes by the Baptist Church... openly....in the Church

the Baptists are too busy badmouthing Mormons, 7th Day Adventists and Scientologists to investigate or speak out agains their own.

AND who BTW do you suggest from the Baptist Church to do the investigating? According to our local pastor Baptist churches are independent entities, that answer to no one other then Christ and God.. there is no higher authority up from the local church..

But I have to add, the silence from the majority of Baptists over Westboro Baptist Church is quite enlightening.

 

[itsbob]

They are not affiliated with any legitimate branch of the Baptist church.

According to FredCaudle there are NO branches of the Baptist Church.. just independent, individual churches. Would that be like saying there are NO legitimate Baptist Churches?

 

[Pete]

the Baptists are too busy badmouthing Mormons, 7th Day Adventists and Scientologists to investigate or speak out agains their own.

AND who BTW do you suggest from the Baptist Church to do the investigating? According to our local pastor Baptist churches are independent entities, that answer to no one other then Christ and God.. there is no higher authority up from the local church..

But I have to add, the silence from the majority of Baptists over Westboro Baptist Church is quite enlightening.

I have been in countless Baptist churches, a few Catholic Churches and even Mennonite churches, listened to hundreds of sermons and I have never one time heard any of them condemn Mormons, 7th day Adventists, or Scientologists, even though Scientology is whacked.

 

[itsbob]

I have been in countless Baptist churches, a few Catholic Churches and even Mennonite churches, listened to hundreds of sermons and I have never one time heard any of them condemn Mormons, 7th day Adventists, or Scientologists, even though Scientology is whacked.

Well, i can tell you that they do.. They picket at national, regional and local events.. and even have little mormon kids come to their church with their friends so they can "de-program" them.

Ask Fred.. he'll tell you how wrong all three of the above are, and how any means they deem fit to save their mis-lead souls is ok..

 

[Pete]

Well, i can tell you that they do.. They picket at national, regional and local events.. and even have little mormon kids come to their church with their friends so they can "de-program" them.

Ask Fred.. he'll tell you how wrong all three of the above are, and how any means they deem fit to save their mis-lead souls is ok..

I am not asking Fred shiat. "I" personally have been to many churches of different denominations and "I" have NEVER hear them bad mouth ANY other denomination. I don't have to ask anyone to clarify what "I" have not heard.