Westboro Baptist Church Responds To Congress: 'Let's See Where God Takes This, K?'

Westboro Baptist Church Reacts To Congress Limiting Their Activities
Shirley Phelps-Roper (R) and her daughter Megan of the Westboro Baptist Church, a Kansas church known for its vehement anti-gay positions and for protesting at US soldiers' funeral, stage a protest across the street from Northwestern High School in Hyattsville, Maryland, outside Washington, on March 1, 2011. The church was demonstrating against what it claims is a 'pervert-run' school and said teachers across the country have 'broken the moral compass of this generation.' AFP PHOTO/Nicholas KAMM (Photo credit should read NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP/Getty Images)
Shirley Phelps-Roper (R) and her daughter Megan of the Westboro Baptist Church, a Kansas church known for its vehement anti-gay positions and for protesting at US soldiers' funeral, stage a protest across the street from Northwestern High School in Hyattsville, Maryland, outside Washington, on March 1, 2011. The church was demonstrating against what it claims is a 'pervert-run' school and said teachers across the country have 'broken the moral compass of this generation.' AFP PHOTO/Nicholas KAMM (Photo credit should read NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP/Getty Images)

Members of the Westboro Baptist Church were quick to react on Twitter, in their typical, hate-filled language, to the news that Congress passed a bill that would limit the group's activities. The Honoring America’s Veterans and Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act of 2012 includes a measure that bans the picketing of military funerals two hours before or after a service. It was a response to a 2011 Supreme Court ruling that said the church's activities were protected by the First Amendment.

Church member Margie Phelps responded directly to HuffPost's report:

Smile. Let's see where God takes this, k? #FagsStillDoomNations
MT @HuffPostPol: Congress delivers blow to Westboro http://t.co/XDRGCA8Z

— Westboro Baptist Church (@WBCSaysRepent) August 2, 2012

Fred Phelps Jr. tweeted what he saw as the silver lining: He assumes the measure would ban the "human walls" that have sprouted up as counter-protests in places like Texas and Missouri. He also said that lawsuits would be inevitable:

Hey HuffPost, this law will stop the "walls.". #watchforlegalchallenge! http://t.co/MAJ6PX8O

— Fred Phelps, Jr. (@WBCFredJr) August 2, 2012

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Rebekah Phelps-Roper also tweeted about the "walls," with some added snark:

Walls. Target Audience. Potato. Potawto. #Mourn4Sinshttp://t.co/fwt8hVRP
Wall of support planned for funeral, Westboro protest
Via @latimes

— Westboro Baptist Church Videos (@WBCVideo) August 2, 2012

In a separate tweet, Margie Phelps used one of her favorite words -- one that's offensive to many -- to describe not only Congress but the entire country:

They speak for whole nation.#FagsDoomNations
MT @MaxineMagazine: Congress Gives Middle Finger To Godhttp://t.co/y4IYp6li via @instinctmag

— Westboro Baptist Church (@WBCSaysRepent) August 2, 2012

Twitter is a favorite medium of the church's members, who use the popular service to rapidly respond to press coverage, frequently using offensive language. They also take to the service to announce new protests.

Support Free Journalism

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Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.

The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?

Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.

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