Anonymous, a notorious collective of unnamed Internet activists, has put the Westboro Baptist Church on notice. Tuesday, the group Anonymous released an open letter to Fred Phelps' Westboro Baptist Church (WBC). The letter is nothing short of an ultimatum: a cease and desist order against the Westboro Baptist Church.
The letter states "Rather than allowing the deceased some degree of peace and respect, you (WBC) instead choose to torment, harass, and assault those who grieve." After chastising the WBC for "preaching your benighted gospel of hatred" and deploying "tactics and methods of intimidation and mental & emotional abuse," Anonymous makes it clear that the church will soon be a target of attack.
Anonymous is a formidable group of aggressive hackers or hactivists that can back up their threats. The group is credited with a series of controversial, widely-publicized protests and distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks. Victims of Anonymous include the Church of Scientology, and more recently, the Internet security firm HBGary Federal.
Fred Phelps' Westboro Baptist Church is infamous for their "Love Crusades", obnoxious displays of insensitivity and homophobia at the funerals of fallen American soldiers. The controversial if monotone message of the "Love Crusade" seems to be to blame everything that is wrong in the world on homosexuality.
The crusades are part of a hate-based mission started in Kansas by the WBC and Fred Phelps. The church exists in order to picket the funerals of various Americans, including many people who died of AIDS. Their mission is a confused attempt to demonstrate against the "fag lifestyle," and other random homophobic rants.
The Westboro Baptist Church is notorious for its "God Hates Fags" signs and the picketing of soldier's funerals. They have made a name for themselves preaching a hate filled gospel so obnoxious most Christians reject their teaching.
The letter from Anonymous to the Westboro Baptist Church concludes thus:
Should you ignore this warning, you will meet with the vicious retaliatory arm of ANONYMOUS: We will target your public Websites, and the propaganda & detestable doctrine that you promote will be eradicated; the damage incurred will be irreversible, and neither your institution nor your congregation will ever be able to fully recover. It is in your best interest to comply now, while the option to do so is still being offered, because we will not relent until you cease the conduction & promotion of all your bigoted operations & doctrines.
The warning has been given. What happens from here shall be determined by you.
WE ARE ANONYMOUS.
WE ARE LEGION.
WE DO NOT FORGIVE.
WE DO NOT FORGET.
EXPECT US.
Click here for the full text of the letter
UPDATE: Westboro Baptist Church responds to Anonymous: 'Bring It!
Comments
The westboro babtist is not a "church", it is a hate group. They are in it for the money and the press. Most of the members of this "church" are attorneys, so they get away with this. Any one can say they are a "church", that is not going to make you a Church! We in this country let a lot pass for "church". This is not about freedom, it is about being human. The hate is a way to make money, by bringing a Lawsuit against people THEY have provoked. They are running a “church” scam. But, add a bit of crazy on the side just for show.
It's a tax-free hate group. Because they "believe in god".
All churches are hate groups and scams. As deplorable as WBC is, it's the natural progression of Christianity.
The only good thing about WBC is that they have the stones to bring their bigotry out into the open instead of cloaking it under layers of Biblical justifications. That's it.
In response to "Um, No"
Churches are not hate groups. WBC is. A few years ago I used to be completely against anything Christianity related until a friend challenged me to actually read the Bible whether I believed it or not. Long story short, thought I am still not a firm believer in God or Christianity I do know that true Christians do not hate homosexuals, that God does not hate homosexuals, and that the majority of people that attack the Christian faith have never once read the Bible or attempted to understand the view of a Christian even if they do not believe it. Do some research, read the facts and you will know that not all churches are like the WBC, not all are "hate-groups" and they are not all scams.
i have to agree with UmNo. When WBC came to my town i counter protested. i talked to one of the members. I realized that his beliefs were essentially the same as what my childhood church talk (evangelical). i went to the local evangelical church ! block from my house to discuss with them. They in the end settled on that they agreed with the WBC message, they just didn't like their approach. The religious right is disgusting.
This church started and is from Arkansas. Get it straight please. They were strong enough to kick them out and Phred brought his clan to my pussy home state of Kansas.
WBC will have their day in GODS court they are a bunch of hypocrites that just want attention and that is it and one day when some family comes to the funeral packing and shoots some of these idiots they will be jailed and convicted but WBC can get away with what they are doing what has our country come to !!!!!
Nobody is going to shed a tear for this group when they get theirs.
Somebody should protect their children though. They got no choice but to be dragged along in this mess.
x
Kill them all, the elders, the kids, the wifes and animals. the Lord will sort them out.
Except someone told me he was dead lol....
You didn't really read the bible did you Jake? Or did you simply cherry-pick what you liked?
HAHAHA nice anonymous
That letter goes against everything Anonymous supposedly stands for. Even if Westboro is a hate group, they have the right to free speech. By trying to silence them, these hacktivists are attempting to stifle information on the web.
Scientology tried to remove info from the web (namely internal papers our writings critical of their religion. Westboro is innocent of that. As heinous as Westboro is, they have the right to be douches.
imagine these bastards crushin the funeral of a beloved one... u still think its their right to free speech? i agree the have the right to be douches, but they did not have the right to ruin someones death
What anonymous stands for? You really don't know anything about the internets, do you child?
Not your personal army. You don't get to tell them where not to march any more than you get to tell them where they should.
actions have consequences. reap the whirlwind, mutherlickers!
just someone saying they represent anon. i haven't heard of anything worth noting. they're a bunch of douchebags, i haven't heard a good reason to do anything bout them yet though. imma eat sum derritooos n lol at cats 'n such
agree- if u look at anonnews.org here:
http://anonnews.org/?p=comments&c=press&i=449
You can see that the reporter here ginned up the story by failing to mention that this, as with all anon acts, is just that : some random, anonymous person.
Over half the comments on this letter are in sync with your own opinion: free speech is precisely for those views you most detest.
Lesson: u are anon- anon doesn't exist. it is just a name for the phenomenon of independent self-directed actors. besides, WBC itself could post a press release saying its Anon just as easily as the ____r that wrote this one.
NO news reports of #BahrainMassacre! Even #AJE! New # =include this in all Tweets> "#NewsOUT http://bit.ly/eybtkR"
This is exactly the kind of rhetoric the apologists employed when islamic fundamentalists issued execution mandates against the danish cartoonist that illustrated the prophet, or when the ayatollah called for the murder of Rushdie. As someone raised in an islamic society, even I find these practices an atrocious affront to human dignity and decency. At what point do secular governments realize that their poorly defined policies are being taken advantage of and the tolerance that they're so proud of is being used against them? Where's the line between tolerance, and tolerating intolerance? It's a sad state of affairs when a group like anon is the voice of reason, while the government impotently stands aside, knowing full well the truth behind WBC's motivations, yet unwilling to do anything about it.
@mzeatwzad and as we all know....
"consequences will never be the same" *smirk*
Anon doesn't have anything to do with this, the WBC is not attacking the internet and isn't censoring anything and besides, anon isn't some guys personal army that attacks on his orders, they do things for fun, or they do it because its against some form of internet censorship
You couldn't be ANY MORE WRONG ... Everyone has a right to free speech ... NO ONE has the right to free speech WITHOUT repurcussion!
While I believe 100% in the freedom of speech It doesn't mean that people should consider the consequences of what the say and WBC deserves everything they get for their irresponsibility...
Anon stands for whatever the leaders of the op want it to stand for. That's part of the point - it's not an organization with a charter and members and goals. It's just an expression of outrage, or the Internet's neverending lust for lulz.
In my not so humble opinion, I think we oughta "stifle" the free speech of the hacktivists AND WBC.That way there won't be any controversy.My question is what other solution is there. If you all continue to allow it then there WILL be more screwed up mess.
> Scientology tried to remove info from the web (namely internal papers our writings critical of their religion. Westboro is innocent of that. As heinous as Westboro is, they have the right to be douches.
Do you really thinks that?
John, http://www.offtheshouldertopssite.com
To verbally assault grieving family/friends is not free speech, it is harassment. And well, assault is still assault. If WBC wanted to just post their stuff on their own internet page, then that's one thing, but this is verbally/emotionally abusing people in a stage of grief
I don't believe there is such a thing as "verbal abuse". When people insult us, we don't feel bad because of the words they say, we feel bad because of what they think. I would defend with all my power their right to say what they want whenever and where ever they want.
That being said, I think Fred Phelps should die of cancer in a fire. Not because of what he says, but, because of what he is.
Most of the people that could be considered a part of this anonymous collective value free speech a lot, but you are mistaken if you say they stand for it. Most of the activist groups within anonymous will not attack free speech under any circumstance, but you are a fool if you think the majority isn't just in it for the lulz.
Also, herpdie derp herp derpdie durp
No, I didn't say they stood for free speech. They stand for freedom of information on the web. Information wants to be free.
Shutting down free speech online is restricting information.
This is stupid beyond belief. By attacking Westboro you only strengthen them and make them look like victims. It's also an extremely hypocritical move. How can you advocate free speech and then turn around and dictate what is allowed to be said? Westboro Baptist Church has never advocated nor threatened violence. Yes, they're horribly bigoted people, but their rights are the same as anybody else's.
Anonymous isn't saying "You can't say that." They're saying "Don't say that HERE." I think you're missing that subtlety.
dude, nobody in their right mind is going to give two craps about the alleged victimization of the poor attorneys that are the WBC. sure, the teabaggers and other bottomfeeders will get their panties twisted, but who cares?!
I think people misunderstand this. This isn't a fight against what people say. This is a fight against what people believe. It seems like most people today are conditioned to think you shouldn't judge someone based on their beliefs, but that's a load of crap.
You SHOULD judge people based on what they believe (why not??). It isn't words that make the world the way it is, it's beliefs. If someone holds beliefs as despicable as those of the WBC, I consider it my obligation as a proponent of humanity to do whatever I can to stop them.
Anonymous does not strenthen anyone they attack. Aaron Barr found that out the hard way.
Well bud, that's just the point. Anonymous does as it pleases, and pleases as it does. We're not philanthropic and we're not chaotic. We're a mass. We are legion. If one member leads us in a direction, we follow to the degree we deem suitable. We do as we please, and don't necessarily pretend it's the right thing.
We're all flexing our muscle here. Let's see how upset anonymous gets. Let's see how out of hand this gets. Maybe it'll hit news like our Iran stunts. Maybe. ;)
I'm in agreement that Phelps and his ilk are reprehensible to the extreme. I have a real hard time getting on board with the juvenile nonsense that "Anonymous" surrounds itself with. I mean "WE ARE LEGION" come on, stop being such a dumb little 13 year old, I felt the same when all the Guy Fawkes mask wearing joiners were standing outside the Scientology buildings. If this group truly stood for free speech they would simply ignore people with whom they disagree rather than attempting to silence them. That's the point of the internet, it's a market place of free thinking. If they really believed that they would be against net neutrality and all forms of government regulation of the internet. But where are they on that? Silent.
"they would be against net neutrality"
... You must be confused. To have Net Neutrality means that the net is neutral, it does not favor one versus another, and to be against it would mean you support government/commercial regulation and throttling of the net.
Those dumb little 13 year olds that are behind the hacking that makes Anonymous' message strong.
What is striking, though, is WBC must already be pw0ned or the message wouldn't have gone out. Perhaps WBC could use the expertice at HBGary to flush out the hackers in their systems.
Most societies realize that there are limits to reasonable free speech. You can't yell fire in a crowded theatre with impunity for a good reason. This is hate speech plain and simple, and protecting it furthers the goal of free public debate not one bit.
And to not protect it, means that no one is free from having the same thing happen to them, if the hackers don`t like what they see. The problem also is, both sides feel that they are empowered to do what they do, which is BS from the start. Neither side is a spokes person for anyone, only themselves. Another thing is, that if it`s hate speech they are against, why listen to it? No body is forcing people to listen to, or read what the WBC has to say on the net. If people do read or listen to it, is because they want to. And that in itself, doesn`t mean that they will believe them, or follow them.
I agree that WBC sucks and I admire Anonymous's concern but I think they'd be more effective if they used their skills to expose dirt on its members, then let the public rip them up. What they're currently planning to do will look very hypocritical and childish to more critically thinking individuals.
Also, I have to agree that Anonymous loses much of their credibility when they say such cheesy, cartoon villain type stuff (WE DO THIS, WE ARE THAT). I guess they're trying to sound biblical and it sounds rediculous.
They do it for the lulz, not to sound biblical.
I do agree with what you said in the first paragraph though. I would much rather enjoy finding out that Fred Phelps f*cks hookers with a remote control than seeing their website down. I think what they're doing wasn't meant to be anything against freedom of speech though because you can't pick and choose what can and can't be said. I think what they're doing is more attempting to protect the world from the WBC's terrible messages of intolerance and hate. This is in the same way that people physically stand in front of the WBC members when they're picketing to block their disturbing and distorted messages from the public.
Honestly, I don't see anything wrong with what Anonymous is doing. If I were anywhere that Fred Phelps and his brain-washed family were protesting you better believe that I would do anything to prevent the public from seeing that shit on their street corners. Especially at military funerals where there are grieving families who should have to lay their eyes on that while they're burying their husband/wife, son/daughter, brother/sister.
F*ck the Westboro Baptist Church and absolutely everything they stand for. This nation would not shed a single tear if that whole god damn compound blew up and took the whole family out with it.
I understand free speech, they have the right, but there are times and places where as a collective community we draw the line, absolute freedom is anarchy. I am glad AZ put a law which did not allow protesting of a funeral. - Republicans and Democrats in one day with the governor's signature put into law a way to protect the possible protests of the 9 year old girl who was killed in the Tucson shootings from this hate group. This gave the grieving family a buffer zone. Let the westboro say whatever they want. At the capital, at rallys, etc.
Not at funerals, we have to draw the line.
rules 1,2, herp derpherpderp not your personal army,
also, cocks
Get back to reddit pilgrim.
ITS TIME THEY REAP WHAT THEY HAVE SOWN.
WESTBORO YOUR HARVEST IS COMING IN.
Sounds like the HBGary fame is going to their heads.
Anonymous said: "That letter goes against everything Anonymous supposedly stands for. Even if Westboro is a hate group, they have the right to free speech."
Yeah, you're thinking about the ACLU. Different group, different beliefs, different tactics. Anonymous is more like all the T-cells in your body. Sometimes something attracts their attention and sometimes not. If you're thinking in terms of a "group" with "leaders" and "beliefs", you're unclear on the concept. They have always been there and always will be.
Pages
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!