Whitney Houston's Funeral To Be Picketed By Westboro Baptist Church

Having previously picketed services for Matthew Shepard, Michael Jackson and Steve Jobs, Westboro Baptist Church now has its sights set on Whitney Houston's funeral.

The Christian Post is reporting that members of the right-wing Christian group, known for its strong anti-gay stance, are planning to stage a protest at the pop diva's private memorial, set for this weekend in her hometown of Newark, N.J. The group has even released a parody of Houston's signature song, titled "God Will Always Hate You, Whitney" (sung to the tune of "I Will Always Love You").

Houston died Feb. 11 at the age of 48.

Westboro leader Margie J. Phelps appears to have confirmed the reports on her Twitter account:

@MargieJPhelps
MargiePhelps

Yay! 2 pickets in NJ-Whitney Houston funeral & legis. MY @NJ_News: NJ gay marriage bill passes in state Senate, 24-16. Story coming shortly.

February 13, 2012 7:45 pm via Twitter for iPhone Reply Retweet Favorite

It is unclear why Westboro would have such an issue with Houston, who was known as a devout Christian and began her singing career at Newark's New Hope Baptist Church, where the funeral will be held. Phelps did imply that Houston's gay fanbase may have played a factor, tweeting: "F--k call her 'gay icon.' Yeah, WBC is picketing that funeral."

Phelps also noted:

@MargieJPhelps
MargiePhelps

Just a few more hours before release of Westboro's "God Will Always Hate You,Whitney," parody of Will Always Love You. #WhitneyLiedOnGod

February 12, 2012 8:22 pm via web Reply Retweet Favorite

@MargieJPhelps
MargiePhelps

No R.I.P. Whitney Houston. You don't live your life serving self & sin, stealing God's glory,&get peace. #warnliving #picketfuneral #obeyGod

February 12, 2012 1:16 am via Twitter for iPhone Reply Retweet Favorite

Still, whether or not Westboro members will actually try to attend the invite-only funeral -- which is also expected to draw the likes of Kevin Costner, Aretha Franklin and Stevie Wonder -- remains to be seen. Earlier this month, the Kansas-based group planned protests at two Missouri high schools, but only showed up at one.

View some of Westboro's other high-profile protests below:

Comments

[pomonaaj]

03:25 PM on 05/21/2012

Foo Fighters ROCK!!!!!!!!!!!

[Octavia Hope Mitchell]

07:49 PM on 02/29/2012

these are christian people? i do not believe in homosexuality but do believe that i have no right to judge and mistreat anyone for the decisions that they have made.their choices do not effect the way i live.these radicals are the the biggest hipocrats next to the christian kkk.

[quinapalus]

08:04 PM on 02/23/2012

you shall know them by their love...they may be Baptists at westboro baptist church... but by no means are they followers of Christ ... they are no kin to me ... i belong to Christ... westboro baptist church are NOT Christians ... there is no love in them... and God is love ... you shall know Christians by their love and westboro baptist church has no love and that is the bottom-line

[Octavia Hope Mitchell]

07:51 PM on 02/29/2012

amen

[vidian6]

04:11 AM on 02/23/2012

It's good people were kept away from her funeral, because those people would have caught a beat down if they had did that.

[TomsHuffingtonPost1]

01:15 AM on 02/22/2012

God says that you cannot judge others and you friggin redneck "christians" are placing judgment on one of the loveliest female performers of the Century and it is a dirty rotten shame. I know for a fact that she entered the Kingdom of Heaven and is singing with the angels on high.

In closing those of you who are bigetted against minorities are judging "Gods" Children and for this you will Burn in Hell.

[sasseyfrass]

10:29 AM on 05/18/2012

These statements you just made makes, you as bad, if not worse than the people you condemn. These people you have just condemned to hell will be glad to shake your hand when they meet you there. If you are trying to portray yourself as a Christian, you sir are the reason people back away from Christians. Who in the world would want to be or think like you? These people who are out protesting a group of broken hearted family, are not Christians and are not Baptist by Baptist Doctrine. They are the devels children and the only reward they will ever get is the pleasure it gives them to harass others.

[mhq222]

06:41 PM on 02/21/2012

Just wondering, who has the rights to this song, and would it be possible to bring an action against Westboro for use of copyrighted material without consent?

[Heracles]

07:36 PM on 02/20/2012

They should have let them go picket in Newark without any Police protection. That would have been the last funeral they try to raid.

[sunnyk32]

05:38 PM on 02/20/2012

It was good that the hypocrites deceided to stay away, being that Whitney Houston's homegoing service was held in an African American community where she was dearly loved...The Westboro Baptist Church flock would have found out quickly that they were not welcomed in that community.

[Tilly Webster]

09:29 AM on 02/20/2012

There is only one way to get rid of these people. Stop covering them. No more media attention, no more hoopla. They thrive on it. If their heads are on TV, they are happy. So let's not cover them anymore. Let's not give their freedom of speech an audience. Yes, they have freedom of speech, but we have the freedom to not listen. They are the scum of the earth, preying on the emotional blood of the grieving to further their "cause". It is sensationalism at its worst. Give them no voice.

[Wanda Glass]

10:21 PM on 02/19/2012

watched the funeral, but didn't see any coverage of Phelp's group. Did they actually show up and protest?

[TotalTranquility]

02:27 PM on 02/20/2012

They did not show.

[albert 18499]

07:05 PM on 02/19/2012

Watch out for the stampede, the converts are coming, the converts are coming!!

[Anthony DeVincenzo]

05:29 PM on 02/19/2012

Beyond Ridiculous

[Kenneth Spell]

04:18 PM on 02/19/2012

How many frequent flyer miles must these people accumulate? Do they fly cross-country to every funeral they want to cackle and sneer at? Do they drive? How much gasoline can they be buying? Don't these people ever get Tired?

[wretchedmaiden]

10:14 AM on 02/23/2012

They've got to be tweakin', it would explain a lot more than just the lack of fatigue

[mcboyl]

04:01 PM on 02/19/2012

OKAY, fine, I'll state the obvious here. Margie Phelps always looks like one of her followers farted in a sock and shoved it in her face. That's all I'm gonna say.

[Octavia Hope Mitchell]

07:53 PM on 02/29/2012

she looks gay herself

[Crystal Page]

03:15 PM on 02/19/2012

I hope this is a joke. No one can be THIS hateful. Incredibly disappointed.