And this is ONE reason I'm glad I'm not a famous figure so I won't have motherfuckers televising me in a closed or open casket. Fuck that shit.

Westboro Baptist Church Plans to Protest Whitney Houston Funeral

The church group believes that God is punishing the United States with death, disease, war and destruction because of America’s acceptance of homosexuality, and has gained support for its cause by protesting at high-profile public and private funerals around the country. In a prepared statement they said, “God gave Whitney Houston a beautiful singing voice and a world-wide platform, which she should have used to encourage obedience to His Word and warn the wicked that their rebellion brings destruction from the hand of God. Westboro will picket her funeral to warn the living: “except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish." Whitney Houston, 48, daughter of gospel legend Cissy Houston, had struggled over the past decade in a battle with drugs and alcohol that is blamed on ex-husband Bobby Brown, with whom she had a tumultuous, and sometimes violent marriage that kept the couple in the media spotlight. Margie Phelps, daughter of Westboro Baptist Church pastor Fred Phelps, took to Twitter following the death of Houston last Saturday at the Beverly Hilton, where she was found unconscious in a bathtub and later declared dead. Phelps said, "No R.I.P. Whitney Houston. You don't live your life serving self and sin, stealing God's glory, and get peace. God gave her a voice, she used it to teach sin, not serve God. Fags call her 'gay icon.' Yeah, WBC is picketing that funeral."

Westboro Baptist Church

A Westboro Baptist Church picket sign of singer Whitney Houston.

Like this image3

In a further attempt to express their disdain for Whitney's lifestyle choices, the Westboro Baptist Church released a parody of a Houston song, entitled "God, Will Always Hate You Whitney," in which they called the singing sensation a "druggie," further manipulating the words of the hit Houston song to share their twisted message. Later, Phelps tweeted, "Yay! 2 pickets in NJ-Whitney Houston funeral and legislature," possibly revealing the church's plans to protest Houston's funeral as well as NJ's gay marriage bill's recent passage while they visit the Garden State. Despite the flurry of Facebook posts and tweets from Margie Phelps, there is still a chance that the Westboro group, which is small in number, may not show up for the private funeral scheduled for Saturday at the New Hope Baptist Church in Newark, where she is expected to be buried beside her father. The extremist anti-homosexual hate group has failed to make an appearance at several recent protests they claimed they would be attending.

Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/319688#ixzz1mcuA50fC

This is the "church" that thinks Obama is the Anti-Christ right?

musicjunky318 said:

This is the "church" that thinks Obama is the Anti-Christ right?

Pretty much all conservatives think that.

They would be calling Madonna or Janet a "fag enabler" if they passed. They didn't for Whitney, so they may not know about her duet with George Michael, her "Out" interview, and her performance at gay pride. They are doing this just because gay people loved her

lazycrockett said:

^I just got to ask do any of these celebrities have a connection to Whitney? David Bowie?
This is turning into a MJ funeral mess. The family should have kept it private and not gone this route.

She probably sang back up for him! I know several soul artists did like Luther! I think the pressure from many 'fans(still SMH)' made them allow just one camera! They weren't gonna do that at first. But some fans feel just because they bought a record THEY own Whitney or have a say. Whitney's gone, she's done giving. I'm a fan and I respect whatever they want to do. Still wont be like MJ's funeral and good for them.

BitetheBeat said:

lazycrockett said:

^I just got to ask do any of these celebrities have a connection to Whitney? David Bowie?
This is turning into a MJ funeral mess. The family should have kept it private and not gone this route.

She probably sang back up for him! I know several soul artists did like Luther! I think the pressure from many 'fans(still SMH)' made them allow just one camera! They weren't gonna do that at first. But some fans feel just because they bought a record THEY own Whitney or have a say. Whitney's gone, she's done giving. I'm a fan and I respect whatever they want to do. Still wont be like MJ's funeral and good for them.

Cissy Houston did in fact sing back up for him.

Timmy84 said:

^ I got the same question...

[Edited 2/16/12 21:51pm]

Me too. I thought that was the whole point of keeping it "private". Shucks if all them celebs going to be there, and then having the funeral streamed online and on a couple of tv stations, then why not have a screen outside for the fans? Just sayin'. I really didn't expect them to have the funeral shown at all because I thought it was going to be private.

[Edited 2/17/12 4:37am]

missfee said:

Timmy84 said:

^ I got the same question...

[Edited 2/16/12 21:51pm]

Me too. I thought that was the whole point of keeping it "private". Shucks if all them celebs going to be there, and then having the funeral streamed online and on a couple of tv stations, then why not have a screen outside for the fans? Just sayin'. I really didn't expect them to have the funeral shown at all because I thought it was going to be private.

[Edited 2/17/12 4:37am]

A screen?! Technically they have one. They just have to go home to see it, like most people. Whats the point of standing outside for something they will be far away from anyway. They have to be a certain distance away(forgot how far), so all they will see is cars. Unless they are out looking for stars, which is sad but many people do that at funerals. The celebs(many of which knew her at some point) want to see Whitney and dont want to deal with fans. Its their right. I seriously doubt there will be any close ups of her casket also(yuck weird typing that).

[Edited 2/17/12 4:48am]

I don't mean no harm, but I know this has to be rough on Stevie Wonder. In the past 5 years or so, he's sung at countless funerals for celebs who, he might feel, should had probably outlived him in life.

Off topic but do you know if he was at the funeral of Don Cornelius?! He created that wonderful Soul Train song on the show way back.

BitetheBeat said:

Off topic but do you know if he was at the funeral of Don Cornelius?! He created that wonderful Soul Train song on the show way back.

Hmm I'm not sure.

BitetheBeat said:

missfee said:

Me too. I thought that was the whole point of keeping it "private". Shucks if all them celebs going to be there, and then having the funeral streamed online and on a couple of tv stations, then why not have a screen outside for the fans? Just sayin'. I really didn't expect them to have the funeral shown at all because I thought it was going to be private.

[Edited 2/17/12 4:37am]

A screen?! Technically they have one. They just have to go home to see it, like most people. Whats the point of standing outside for something they will be far away from anyway. They have to be a certain distance away(forgot how far), so all they will see is cars. Unless they are out looking for stars, which is sad but many people do that at funerals. The celebs(many of which knew her at some point) want to see Whitney and dont want to deal with fans. Its their right. I seriously doubt there will be any close ups of her casket also(yuck weird typing that).

[Edited 2/17/12 4:48am]

I think the distance of the block off is 6 blocks away from the church. I guess my point is, I don't see how this funeral is private if its going to be streamed online. So if they are taking it as far as streaming it online for millions or billions around the world to see, then putting up a screen 6 blocks away from the church showing the funeral for fans seems minor. That's all I'm saying. Because despite not putting a screen up, folks are going to be outside ANYWAY...no matter how many blocks they have blocked off the church. I get what you are saying about the casket deal though. Those pics of James B. in his casket were truly horrifying.

That may not be in their control/I assume it costs. Also I think the bigger picture is to deter them from standing outside and blocking streets and celeb hawking. So if you wanna see it stay home. Granted I assume some will still stand but thats on them! I think it will deter some and they will stay home. Its pretty private considering its Whitney IMO.

[Edited 2/17/12 5:06am]

musicjunky318 said:

This is the "church" that thinks Obama is the Anti-Christ right?

I hope security will keep them away.

luv4u said:

musicjunky318 said:

This is the "church" that thinks Obama is the Anti-Christ right?

I hope security will keep them away.

They wont get close to the church. nobody will. I believe they will keep people 2 to 6 blocks away..

but i tell you one thing they asking for trouble if they take that non sense to Newark.

A new law prohibits members of that "church" from protesting 2 hrs before or after a funeral. It also restricts them from being within 1,000 feet of a funeral.

I for one hope that people from the neighborhood do show up in droves, just to beat the asses of those Westboro's mafuckas. They're in drastic need of a good beatdown, foot stompin' included.

They are so full of shit...

"He who does not love does not know God, for God is love."

"If someone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?"

Those hate filled bastards are nothing more than hate mongers that use God's name in vain.

Identity said:

A new law prohibits members of that "church" from protesting 2 hrs before or after a funeral. It also restricts them from being within 1,000 feet of a funeral.

Word? Is that nationwide?

Identity said:

A new law prohibits members of that "church" from protesting 2 hrs before or after a funeral. It also restricts them from being within 1,000 feet of a funeral.

Link please

Musicslave said:

Identity said:

A new law prohibits members of that "church" from protesting 2 hrs before or after a funeral. It also restricts them from being within 1,000 feet of a funeral.

Word? Is that nationwide?

I checked to be absolutely sure, but found no mention of the state of New Jersey. I guess the fans will have to kick their butts!

Take back what I said, maybe her true fans should just show up IF there are protestors! I know some are also going after the governor(who I will write & thank for that) for lowering the flags for her....just silly s**t! So if her fans really care/are fired up they should be more about stopping haters & defending her honor instead of trying to question her family about funeral arrangements.

[Edited 2/17/12 6:13am]

Timmy84 said:

And this is ONE reason I'm glad I'm not a famous figure so I won't have motherfuckers televising me in a closed or open casket. Fuck that shit.

I hope they have respect for her and do not have an open casket. At least not televized that is. Whitney's dead body doesn't need to be plastered across every tv screen and magazine.

musicjunky318 said:

Jay-Z, Beyonce, Elton John, Oprah Winfrey to attend Whitney Houston's funeral

— Elton John and Oprah Winfrey will lead a parade of celebrities expected to attend Whitney Houston's funeral at the New Hope Baptist Church in Newark Saturday, according to two people with knowledge of the family's plans.

Rock star David Bowie is also expected to attend the services for the 48-year-old pop queen, a source said this afternoon. Earlier today, a source told The Star-Ledger the rap mogul Jay-Z, songstress Beyonce, comedian Bill Cosby and singer Chaka Khan planned to attend Houston's funeral.

The sources spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to make the guest list public.

While he refused to disclose the guest list, Newark Police Director Samuel DeMaio said Wednesday that officers will provide motorcycle escorts to many of the celebrities who are expected to arrive in Newark this weekend. The funeral will otherwise be a private affair, with police shutting down a six square-block area around the New Hope church. There will be no procession of Houston's body from Whigham Funeral Home to the church Saturday, and no outside video screens erected so fans can mourn publically, DeMaio said.

The area remained public this afternoon, however, and Houston's cousin Dionne Warwick was seen at the church where she is believed to be practicing for Saturday's service with the New Hope Baptist choir.

Mayor Cory Booker is also expected to attend the services, according to his spokeswoman, Anne Torres. Currently, he is the only Newark dignitary to publicly receive an invitation. On Wednesday, several city council members said they had not been extended an invitation to the event.

Booker also announced that Newark will lower flags at its municipal buildings to half-staff in honor of Houston tomorrow, mirroring Gov. Chris Christie's decision to do the same at state facilities which drew criticism yesterday.

“Our City is mourning the loss of one of its native daughters and one of music’s shining stars. Whitney Houston inspired so many people, and although she went from a Newark church to the global stage, she always remained a deep part of our city’s pride and collective heart. Our prayers continue to be with her family during this difficult time,” he said in a statement.

E! News also reports that Kevin Costner, who starred alongside Whitney Houston in the blockbuster "The Bodyguard," is expected to speak at the funeral, along with Houston's mentor Clive Davis, although Costner's publicist told The Star-Ledger he could not confirm this.

Aretha Franklin and Stevie Wonder are both expected to sing in memory of Houston. Invitations to the private service have reportedly been extended to singers Chaka Khan, CeCe Winans, Brandy, Darlene Love and songwriter Diane Warren, according to E!

Fans will have to content themselves with a TV and Internet feed from inside the church, where Pastor Marvin L. Winans will give eulogy over the service. Winans tells CNN's Anderson Cooper that the family wanted to bury Houston "with dignity." "This is not a break or an opportunity," he told Cooper. "We are really hurting and seriously grieving, and it amazes me the insensitivity of the media when it comes to things like this ... We loved her when she was Nippy in New Jersey. The world loved her because of her voice. But if Nippy could not sing, the Houston family would love her, and I knew that Mama Houston would do it the way she wanted it done. We're going to church, and we're not going to be worried about if the world can get in."

http://www.nj.com/enterta...speak.html

An anonymous source who isnt authorized to publicly speak on the guest list. Wonder how legit this guest list is? There sure are a lot of celebrities that may be attending what's supposed to be an intimate funeral of friends and family.

http://www.streamingmedia...80729.aspx

Other streaming info.

http://latimesblogs.latim...drugs.html

^IDK didn't hear about David. I think I remember CNN confirming Elton. I know they confirmed Denzel, Janet, Alicia, Costner, Valerie Simpson, Bobby Brown, Aretha, Stevie and Clive.

Taken from: http://latimesblogs.latim...drugs.html

"Meanwhile, back in Los Angeles as part of the coroner's death investigation, authorities were sending out subpoenas to gather information on what drugs Houston had been prescribed, by whom and in what quantities, according to L.A. Now.

Authorities collected several bottles of drugs from Houston's suite at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, but officials told L.A. Now that the amounts of drugs did not seem unusually large."

They are also contacting her doctors in Atlanta, GA too. I hope their findings are conclusive and are consistent with the toxicology report. That family does not need a freakin mystery surrounding how she died. Not that it would help any, but at least they could have a definite explaination.

BitetheBeat said:

^IDK didn't hear about David. I think I remember CNN confirming Elton. I know they confirmed Denzel, Janet, Alicia, Costner, Valerie Simpson, Bobby Brown, Aretha, Stevie and Clive.

Elton's in, so are Jay Z, Beyonce, Tyler Perry, Winans Family, Rev Jesse Jackson and R. Kelly.

BitetheBeat said:

BitetheBeat said:

^IDK didn't hear about David. I think I remember CNN confirming Elton. I know they confirmed Denzel, Janet, Alicia, Costner, Valerie Simpson, Bobby Brown, Aretha, Stevie and Clive.

Elton's in, so are Jay Z, Beyonce, Tyler Perry, Winans Family, Rev Jesse Jackson and R. Kelly.

Interesting. I wonder if Mariah Carey will be there--werent she and Whitney also good friends? And if Janet is also attending...I wonder if Jermaine or any of the other Jacksons attending. I know Whitney & Jermaine were close at one time, and Whitney said she was close with the Jacksons on the Oprah interview. Wonder if Brandy, Monica or Jennifer Hudson will attend.

luv4u said:

musicjunky318 said:

This is the "church" that thinks Obama is the Anti-Christ right?

I hope security will keep them away.

Me too luv. Not here for any nonsense tomorrow.