Steve Jobs Dead: Controversial Westboro Baptist Church Announces Funeral Protest - Using iPhones

Controversial Westboro Group Angers Mourners

By Emma Koonse, Christian Post Reporter Thursday, October 06, 2011

Westboro Baptist Church protesters have used iPhones to announce via Twitter that they will be demonstrating during iPhone-inventor Steve Jobs’ funeral.

The controversial group has angered most in America at one point or another, and is famous for protesting at the funerals of U.S. soldiers as well as celebrities. The group even threatened to protest at the funerals of Norway massacre victims earlier this year.

Taking aim at Steve Jobs, who died of cancer on Wednesday, Westboro has stated on its website: “People have a platform and should be using it to encourage obedience to God; instead they teach every person to listen to all things contrary to Him: fornication, adultery, idolatry, fags.”

In a twist of irony, Westboro’s announcement of their planned demonstration was delivered through the device Steve Jobs is responsible for creating; the iconic iPhone.

The mobile phone includes an array of special applications, and one of the most popular is Twitter for the iPhone, that allows users to access and post on the social media site with ease from their Apple product.

Accusing Jobs of mishandling his fame, main WBC Twitter contributor, Margie, wrote, “Westboro will picket his funeral. He has a huge platform; gave God no glory & taught sin.”

Beneath the post reads: “1 day ago via Twitter for iPhone.”

Several other WBC members took to Twitter announcing their views. Protestor Shirley wrote on Twitter, “The whole stinking world is kissing up to this dead/in hell rebel, so in that orgy of lies, Westboro Baptist Church will stand & TELL TRUTH!”

Church member Rebekah wrote in response to Jobs’ death, “What a vain, wasted life. Steve had a duty to encourage obedience to God. He failed. WBC to protest funeral. RT: @TMZ: Steve Jobs passed away.”

WBC members have protested at Lady Gaga concerts as well as NBA games. Fred Phelps, the leader of Westboro, wrote on the church’s site, “The entertainment industry is a microcosm of the people in this doomed nation: hard-hearted, hell-bound, and hedonistic.”

Westboro plans to attend the funeral for Steve Jobs, technological innovator, which is scheduled this week. Phelps continued on the website, “We will be there to remind you that the day of your destruction is upon you, even as you vainly seek the comfort in the frivolities of this life.”

Westboro stand alone in their condemnation of Steve Jobs, with world leaders, as well as mainstream Christian leaders paying tribute to the Apple co-founder who has changed the way the world sees technology.

U.S. President Obama said in statement released by the White House: “Steve was among the greatest of American innovators - brave enough to think differently, bold enough to believe he could change the world, and talented enough to do it.”

“The world has lost a visionary. And there may be no greater tribute to Steve's success than the fact that much of the world learned of his passing on a device he invented. Michelle and I send our thoughts and prayers to Steve's wife Laurene, his family, and all those who loved him."

Megachurch pastor and Purpose Driven Life author Rick Warren took to his Twitter to describe Steve Jobs as a “a modern day Thomas Edison.”