Collegiate Times

I'd like to become a member, but when I searched for "Officer Crouse, Honoring a Fallen Hokie", I couldn't find it

This is the exact reason people call Christians hypocrites. As a Christian myself, I am offended by this church. We are called to LOVE one another as ourselves, right after loving God unconditionally. I pray that this church does not ruin the celebration of a life that fell in the line of duty. I also pray this church does not ruin the family's worship service of Christ taking in a new child in heaven.

"The law enforcement across this nation has for years refused to do their duty and protect the people," Phelps Jr. said. "There is a price to be paid when you do that to God."

THIS is the reason these people are total idiots! What does that entire statement have to do with anything? He was doing his job when some coward came out of nowhere and shot him and then the response by the university and the VT and local police was wonderful. There is a hot spot in HELL for all of those bastards!

Disgusting and extremely disrespectful.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Protest-Westboro-Baptist-Church-at-Virginia-Tech-121211/253231031407193

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The Supreme Court really screwed up that ruling, I think. I mean, I get it that free speech must be allowed, but must it be allowed at a funeral? I mean, what is the point of that, except to aggravate those who are grieving a loss? Protesting like this should not be allowed within hearing and sight-reach of funerals or funeral prossessions. The lost bastards (WBC) should be thrown in jail for aggravated assault on the families.

IMO, the best response for these folks is for everyone (including the media) to ignore them completely. Their actions have nothing to do with their beliefs. Whatever your opinion may be about the Iraq war, it's pretty hard to argue that American soldiers dying in Iraq is anything but a direct consequence of President's Bush's decision to invade Iraq, as opposed to an actual theological argument of evidence of "God's wrath" for [insert pet cause here], as they claim. There has *never* been any war in history where people haven't died on both sides. On the other hand, if your only goal is to do something controversial in order to draw free media attention to your cause, their actions make quite a bit of sense. If we stop rewarding them with our attention, they will go away.

I'm a Hokie alum living out of state, parent of a current Hokie, and a Christian, and this is the last straw for me with these psychos from the WBC. I appeal to the local cops and VT Campus Police- just find something to do for about 10 minutes during the WBC's protest and or look away, and we will do the nation a favor and teach these cultists some respect.

I'm a Hokie alum living out of state, parent of a current Hokie, and a Christian, and this is the last straw for me with these psychos from the WBC. I appeal to the local cops and VT Campus Police- just find something to do for about 10 minutes during the WBC's protest and or look away, and we will do the nation a favor and teach these cultists some respect.

Someone needs to do this "church" a favor and save their souls by beating the HELL out of them. Amen!

I find the actions of the wbc repugnant, distasteful, and disgusting and without a shred of common decency.

That said, there has already been more than enough violence on the Tech campus. The last thing we need on campus is more violence. We need to show our strength by not reacting to their disgusting behavior with disgusting behavior of our own. We are better than that and we are better than they are.

I would hardly call any member of this church a Christian. God is loving and compassionate and HIs followers are not perfect but they do not go out of their way to be so hateful and disrespectful to others especially when they are mourning the loss of thie love one, I think that type of behavior is more satanic than Christlike so need to stop calling themselves Christians
.i think it is sad that our supreme court thinks this freedom of speech and they have the right to cause emotional distress on those who have served our country and kept us safe
,

Do NOT counter-protest or give the WBC any attention, it is exactly what they want. They are all lawyers who specialize in suing those who attack their protests. They have made thousands and thousands of dollars from doing so, which enables them to attend more protests. Any extra attention you give them only gives them what they want.

These individuals are not Christians. They gravely misunderstand the sacrifices made by public servants, the Bible, and life in general. Their beliefs make no sense. They are a horrible representation of Christianity, and are themselves the ones who are disappointing God. The poor family of Officer Crouse has enough distress, any human being would try their best to comfort them, not amplify their suffering.

Tomorrow we shouldn't grant them the dignity of a response. Ignore them, pray for them.

Just ignore WBC, and maybe they will eventually go away, or at least waste so much money on gas and lodging that they will no longer be able to travel to protest.

really?! these people call themselves christians? sounds more like some wackjobs who belong in a compound somewhere in iraq or afghanistan they might fit in with the haji over there. deriek crouse was a fellow soldier (who served in my unit, the 424th transportation company) as well as a friend. i believe his wife and 5 kids have already went through enough without some psychopaths who say "god told me to do it" picketting at a funeral. this is an outrage!!!!

This absolutely makes me sick. Just goes to sure you how the "christianity" has changed. There used to be a time when christians were respected and were advocates for ones who needed them. Yet officers not "protecting people" is a sin. Get a life...

The people from WBC are a bunch of crazy religious zealots that wouldn't know real Christianity if it slapped them in the face. They deserve not to be acknowledged. I hope EVERYONE that goes to the service turns their back to them and does not acknowledge their presence!

What is wrong with you! Protesting a funeral ! I want even go in to your bible this is beyond that! I want even go into morals! This man died in the line of duty. He signed a oath to protect and serve, to serve you to protect you! He was taking without a chance to decide, fight back or any chance! You are a disgrace to religion! You are a disgrace to your congregation!

Weatboro baptist church call themselves Christians. But actually they are satanists. They are evil

These westboro people are not true Christians. They seem to be the only ones who can't seem to realize that. I find this westboro cult to be freaks and rather a waste of space.

They CANNOT possibly believe in God and Jesus Christ and behave this way. They are no better than the immoral people on this earth.

they can practice their constitutional rights all the way to hell!

Students should stand in a silent wall around them to shield them from the family of Officer Crouse. RIP to our fallen Hokie <3

The hot member of Westboro, Libby Phelps (now Alvarez) wised up and left the church in 2009. She got to experience life outside of the cult, met a man and is now disavowing everything the WBC spewed.
Good for her!

Her successor in the cult, Megan Phelps-Roper looks like she was attacked by a dog.

http://www.kansas.com/2011/11/21/2111630/megan-phelps-roper-of-westboro.html

Why give those weirdos press coverage? That's obviously what they want.

If they are goinyg to do that and be disrespectful to a fallen officer... then we should go to there church on Sunday morning and picket... and find out what book they are reading cause it must not be the one we read...

Just curious if WBC realizes that the people who are protecting their picketing rights and ensuring that no harm comes to the WBC members are the same people they are picketing against? All the same, it's best to ignore them. Give them a space to protest out in the cow fields and call it a day.

Is VT considered private property? I should think so. Not everyone can use the parking lots, enter any building at will.
Can they be kept away from the coliseum for this reason?

The one way that the court may have stood against this is if the argument would have been that funerals are actually a religious ceremony or practice.......and it is against my religious beliefs to interfere with the dead as the prayers are said over them and their families are drawn by a pastor to accept christ before they fall as well.......we do have freedom of religion......and alot of laws can't touch religion!

I am a PROUD POLICE WIFE and if those SOBs every came to a funeral I was out. Well let's just say. I'd make the news that day. We are mourning the lose of one of our Warriors in Blue and these senseless no good people use hurting hearts to win the media.

i think you ppl are sick. leave a faimly be when a love one has died.. you will pay for your sins of wanting someone to die!! and i know where you will end up so im not worryed.

Isn't V.T private property? It is to my understanding that if someone is on your property that you don't want there and you ask them to leave and they don't, isn't that considered to be trespassing? If not then I agree the students should block these people from the family that is already morning for the lose of a husbend and a father, and give them the slient treatment. These people are from the house of the DEVIL, What can six ignorant people do against a Hokie Nation, If I were them, I would be scared. You don't mess with a HOKIE!!!!! Hell awaits all of you WBC members, God is very disapointed in you all, You should be ashamed of yourselfs. God said Love thy neighbor, not protest thy neighbor. God also said not to judge anyone!! Only God can judge and all you demons at WBC,God will judge each one of you, May God have mercey on your soul!! All of you are Hell bound. Burn,baby, burn!!

Dear Westboro Baptist "Church", it is unfortunate that you feel the need to not only insult a fallen officer who has not only protected people like yourselves from getting murdered by those you ridicule BUT that you would also choose to turn the love and mercy Jesus has freely given into some kind of "holier than thou" crap that is found only in connection to Satan and those who's pride sends them straight to hell. Guess you probably "skip" verses like this in your sunday sermon..."Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you."-- Matt 21:31

Dear Westboro Baptist "Church", it is unfortunate that you feel the need to not only insult a fallen officer who has not only protected people like yourselves from getting murdered by those you ridicule BUT that you would also choose to turn the love and mercy Jesus has freely given into some kind of "holier than thou" crap that is found only in connection to Satan and those who's pride sends them straight to hell. Guess you probably "skip" verses like this in your sunday sermon..."Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you."-- Matt 21:31

Dear Westboro Baptist "Church", it is unfortunate that you feel the need to not only insult a fallen officer who has not only protected people like yourselves from getting murdered by those you ridicule BUT that you would also choose to turn the love and mercy Jesus has freely given into some kind of "holier than thou" crap that is found only in connection to Satan and those who's pride sends them straight to hell. Guess you probably "skip" verses like this in your sunday sermon..."Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you."-- Matt 21:31

Dear Westboro Baptist "Church", it is unfortunate that you feel the need to not only insult a fallen officer who has not only protected people like yourselves from getting murdered by those you ridicule BUT that you would also choose to turn the love and mercy Jesus has freely given into some kind of "holier than thou" crap that is found only in connection to Satan and those who's pride sends them straight to hell. Guess you probably "skip" verses like this in your sunday sermon..."Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you."-- Matt 21:31

Dear Westboro Baptist "Church", it is unfortunate that you feel the need to not only insult a fallen officer who has not only protected people like yourselves from getting murdered by those you ridicule BUT that you would also choose to turn the love and mercy Jesus has freely given into some kind of "holier than thou" crap that is found only in connection to Satan and those who's pride sends them straight to hell. Guess you probably "skip" verses like this in your sunday sermon..."Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you."-- Matt 21:31

Dear Westboro Baptist "Church", it is unfortunate that you feel the need to not only insult a fallen officer who has not only protected people like yourselves from getting murdered by those you ridicule BUT that you would also choose to turn the love and mercy Jesus has freely given into some kind of "holier than thou" crap that is found only in connection to Satan and those who's pride sends them straight to hell. Guess you probably "skip" verses like this in your sunday sermon..."Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you."-- Matt 21:31

When the WBC begins their protest, a ring of Hokies needs to stand around them, at a long enough distance away that would allow us not to smell their stench, with our backs facing them. Say nothing to them. When the news cameras show the protest, the world will again see what it means to be a Hokie.

What these idiots plan to do is ridiculous and yet they are still getting media coverage which is what they want. They know this protest will be the talk of the town so to say and we are giving them more attention than they deserve rather than show support to to the family of an office who was simply doing his job. Its takes away from him and these protest idiots are getting off on this. Its sad to see that this is still happening in today's age...they hate homosexuals, jews, what next....? Thye will crack on the ones who aren't white, straight, perfect rich baptists as themselves...? Really, and to think they are allowed to live in america...a land which gives opportunities to alll....just because its a freedom of speech right doesn't mean a thing if they are basically being allowed to freely disrespect someones; especially the dead...

Don't anyone worry about the Westboro Baptist Church, The Patriot Guard Riders will be there to shield the family.

I think this is absolutly rude and insensitive. As the daughter of law enforcement. What they are protesting is entirely wrong. Law enforcement does it's best to protect everyone. If he hadn't been doing his duties he would still be here today. As many officers killed and injured in the line of duty. I think they need to open there eyes and get a clue. Maybe if they were doing there duties and helping kids out there learn right from wrong and showing them Gods way, they wouldn't all be out there on the street doing things to endanger the community.

It is imperative that we use our voices and strength in numbers to deflect the irrational thinking and insolence of the WBC.

Signed, human being

There is something seriousley wrong with this picture. Christians, I doubt it, no true Christian would do anything like this. It is really sad, this man gave his life in the line of duty. Do any of theses people who plan to picket his funeral even know him? God is not a man who would approve of this.

WESTBORO BAPTIST CHURCH MEMBERS WILL GET THEIRS FROM GOD.YOU ARE EVIL PEOPLE.

"The law enforcement across this nation has for years refused to do their duty and protect the people," Phelps Jr. said. "There is a price to be paid when you do that to God."

First of all, police force has nothing to do with God. People pray to god to keep them safe...hows since he "cant" we hire police officers to do "his job" and now since you arent 100% protected you are going to protest his funeral...you are NO BETTER THAN THE JEWS WHO CRUCIFIED JESUS You are protesting at a funeral, to where people are praying for the sould to go to heaven. You are protesting gods word and for that Baptist church God will give you reprocussions!! This is absurd that you think you had have some right to protest funerals!!! This officer did nothing wrong but his job and you are going to penalize him and his family by doing something so heinous, just as much heinous as the person who took the life of this officer and then his own life...go protest the SHOOTERS Funeral!!

"The law enforcement across this nation has for years refused to do their duty and protect the people," Phelps Jr. said. "There is a price to be paid when you do that to God."

First of all, police force has nothing to do with God. People pray to god to keep them safe...hows since he "cant" we hire police officers to do "his job" and now since you arent 100% protected you are going to protest his funeral...you are NO BETTER THAN THE JEWS WHO CRUCIFIED JESUS You are protesting at a funeral, to where people are praying for the sould to go to heaven. You are protesting gods word and for that Baptist church God will give you reprocussions!! This is absurd that you think you had have some right to protest funerals!!! This officer did nothing wrong but his job and you are going to penalize him and his family by doing something so heinous, just as much heinous as the person who took the life of this officer and then his own life...go protest the SHOOTERS Funeral!!

WBC are not Christians. They are a hate group.

The Patriot Guard has been notified and I hope they can get up there to do their duty and stand between the protesters and the mourners. If the CT could be there to report on the Patriot Guard that would be wonderful.

I say we should get as many people as possible to swell the sidewalks outside so they cant get close to the funeral.

This is not a "church". It is one family of lawyers that loves being in the media (and we keep giving them what they want). I hope if they really are a threat, that the university contacts the Patriot Guard for assistance (I'm a member). They do a wonderful job of offering a patriotic backdrop and drowning out the WBC. God Speed Officer Crouse!

What do you think WBC wants Hokie Nation to do? Get mad. Don't let them win. Do you think Officer Crouse would want any violence to come out of his funeral? Just walk right past them, I think it's insane what they're doing but I refuse to dignify what they're doing with a response.

can someone explain to me what exactly is their reason for protesting at his funeral? what are they protecting AGAINST? i agree that is completly disrespectful... and i just dont understand why point the are trying to make by doing it, can someone help me out?

All you retards who want to be a part of this church cult and their protesting at funerals and whatnot are EXTREMELY stupid! These people give their lives everyday to PROTECT the nation, especially us SOLDIERS who fight and DIE for all of you to be able to enjoy your FREEDOM. So this church can fall off the face of the earth because GOD does not like what they are doing in this lifetime and they will all go to HELL! If you don't believe in this Nation and what it stands for then you need to leave the country and find another place to live!

I don't care if they say they are Christians. I'm not going to sit here and say "Christians shouldn't act like that" or "a true Christian would never do that!"

COME ON EVERYONE

PEOPLE shouldn't act like that. I don't care who you are. It's not "un-Christian like" it's simply INHUMANE.

Where in Christianity is hate-mongering an involved practice? What are Fred Phelps and the WBC afraid of anyhow? Rainbows? Unicorns? A flaming pink queer apocalypse? I attempted to address this with a portrait of the good reverend on my artist’s blog at http://dregstudiosart.blogspot.com/2011/03/fred-phelps-and-westboro-baptist-church.html Drop in and let me know what you think!

Why don't these sick individuals show up at the killers funeral and rightfully protest against the violence in our nation! Not protest against our officers of the law or the service members that protect this great nation! The protesters that are doing this are ignorant in this so call "cause". It turns my stomach!

What ever happened to love for human kind. Your church makes me not want to attend! I thought 'christians' were love.

Shame on you WBC! Wonder if you would feel the same if this were your father, brother, or son? When you as a Christian are being judgemental against law officers, homosexuals, etc...in reality, you are NO better off than they are! It is OUR responsibility and calling as CHRISTIANS to show Christ's love and stand in the gap for those who are drowning in grief and at their very weakest.....Sounds to me like WBC needs a good dose of JESUS!

Please don't compare CHRISTians to the hateful teachings of WBC. They are lawyers out to cause pain for their gain! Funerals are sacred & no one should be allowed to inflict more pain on grieving families for any reason! May GOD continue to bless & protect our brave police officers!

WHAT DID THIS OFFICER DO BUT HIS JOB?? YOU IDIOTS,HE WAS DOING A ROUTINE TRAFFIC STOP AND SOME DUMB IGNORANT SLIME SHOT HIM, FOR WHAT? OK IF HE WAS A MEMBER OF YOUR CHURCH AND BEING A POLICE OFFICER WOULD YOU STILL ACT OUT THIS WAY?? A BRAVE MAN DIED OVER A TICKET ANOTHER MAN MIGHT HAVE GOT AND YOU SAY HE WAS WRONG IN NOT DOING HIS JOB?? PLEASE CRAWL BACK IN TO WHATEVER HELL HOLE YOU CRAWLED OUT OF AND SHUT YOU MOUTHS!! HOW DARE YOU OR ANYBODY ELSE TRY TO PUT THE BLAME ON THE OFFICER!! TALK ABOUT GOING TO HELL, WELL THATS WHERE YOUR ,PROTEST AND ACTIONS ARE GOING TO SEND YOU. RELIGON ?? YOU DONT HAVE ANY. YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF YOURSELF AND CHURCH.YOUR A PRIME EXAMPLE THAT THE DEVIL WALKS THIS EARTH IN MANY WAYS!!

Those actions are NOT of God. Those people are sick!

these people are the WORST "baptists" ever brought onto this plane of existence. if i had my way, these people would burn.