Controversial Westboro Baptist Church to picket funeral of Steve Jobs

by Steven Mostyn - Oct 7 2011, 12:06

Although a great deal of people—tech fans or otherwise—were left saddened by this week’s passing of industry visionary Steve Jobs, it would appear not everyone held the former Apple chief executive in such high regard.

Specifically, the Westboro Baptist Church in Kansas has said it plans to hold a protest at Jobs’ funeral because the iPod, iPhone and iPad creator failed to acknowledge the influence of God during his time on Earth.

“Be still my heart! God H8s Fags & Steve Jobs in hell in Russia,” said Margie Phelps, daughter of church founder Fred Phelps, in a Twitter post. “Don’t worship the dead!”

“Westboro will picket his funeral,” said added. “He had a huge platform; gave God no glory & taught sin. No peace for man who served self, not God. Westboro must picket.”

The small Kansas congregation has gained considerable column inches via the mainstream media due to a spate of picketing events held at the funerals of deceased celebrities and U.S. military personnel killed in action.

The Phelps family, which also actively targets homosexuality, believes God is punishing American soldiers due to the spread of gay and lesbian relationships across the United States.

Some of the banners held aloft by its picketing congregation offer up vitriolic messages such as “God Hates Fags”, “God Hates America,” and “Thank God for Dead Soldiers”.

Somewhat ironically, it has emerged that any hatred Margie Phelps and the Westboro Baptist Church feels for Steve Jobs, it doesn’t stretch to include his demonic products, which is why she and many of her congregation use iPhones to spread their comments.

“God used Steve Jobs to create amazing STUFF for WBC to preach,” said congregation member Shirley Phelps-Roper in response to scathing criticism from Apple fans.

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