Haters plan to picket George Carlin's funeral

The Juice* continues to mourn George Carlin's untimely passing, since we have obviously been influenced by his culture-bashing ways, but we find it hilarious that he manages to stir things up even in death.

The Westboro Baptist Church -- the highly-opinionated activist group that is best known not for its piousness but rather for being the jackholes that demonstrate the funerals of American soldiers with signs like "God Hates Fags" and "Thank God for IEDs" -- plans to picket Carlin's funeral, according to a faxed press release that landed in our basket here this morning.

"George Carlin is in Hell. Deal with it," the release reads. "You will soon join him. America is Doomed. We will picket George Carlin's funeral. Amen."

The Kansas-based group calls Carlin a "filthy blasphemer, obscene potty-mouth skeptic, agnostic, and profane atheist'" who "made lots of money making fun of God." That's why we loved him!

The Church, which bills itself as touting "religious opinion and Bible commentary on current events"  has been labeled a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center. We would have never guessed.

Carlin will apparently be joined in hell by "lying propagandist" Keith Olbermann and "fellow filth-monger" Jerry Seinfeld. And The Juice*, we suspect.

[Photo: Getty Images]

Comments

During and after listening to George's little spoof of God, I felt bad for him, because I, being a christain, knows whats in store for after death. Anyone who mocks the Lord, as much as
george did...will pay big time! If we could only see John Lennon now, and believe me, i'm sure he's not singing in heaven either. Maybe john and George
carlin can present a spoof for Satan about heaven. But, dont think that Satan will shake their hands or pat them on their backs, the devil only enjoys his torture he afflict on those who are "down" there to stay. Yes George Carlin is in Hell. Bet he wishes
he could take back all those words
that sent him to hell. Oh! and by the way he still has to bow before the Lord
on judgement day.....Hope you all enjoy seeing that day, and you will, cause every one that thought he was sooo funny, will standing in line behind George.

[gman]

01010101011

quite simply....you are a kook

[Hi]

Soem coments on here make me sick.Why do you religious screwbalsl need to get religion into something,especially when someone like George Carlin died?George was a comic genius,not a fool.And if 'm going to Hell because I like George's work and agree with him,then fine.Thena gain,I'm an atheist and I think your God is a bigot,a murderer,and a hypocrite,if the bible was written by God.

[smurfcity]

I enjoyed George Carlin's comedy very much and considered myself a huge fan. I was shocked to hear that a church decided to picket his funeral. The church must be filled with a bunch of absolute idiots. Don't they have anything better to do? Like food drives, giving money to the poor, and winning others over to God? Apparently not. What they do is turn people off to God. Wherever George is now, he must have laughed and just shook his head.

For those of you who've posted on here and preached about how terrible a man George Carlin was, I'd say, 'Oh really?' Did you know the man personally? As someone else on here posted, he was a COMEDIAN. After George Carlin died, his daughter was on Larry King via telephone. She was his only child. She talked about a loving father and decent man who cared about others. As his daughter, I'd say she knew the man pretty well.

As for me, I am extremely grateful for the times I got to see George Carlin. He made me laugh, as he did so many other thousands of fans. RIP George.

[01010101011]

God calls atheists fools. Therefore, George Carlin was a fool. All the fame and fortune a person can gain in this short life isn't worth an eternity in hell. It makes me cringe to see people say things like "George is probably up in heaven making jokes." Sorry, but God isn't mocked. Not only did George mock God, he loathed, hated and despised him his entire career. I don't think it's wrong to picket a man who is leading his "Fans" into hell with him.

"The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good." - Psalm 14:1 "He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." - John 3:18 "Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven." - Matthew 10:32-33. "And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come." - Matthew 12:32.

[Paula]

Does anyone know that George was a comedian. Since when is what a comedian says exactly what he believes. Yes it was extreme at times but that just kept us laughing. If you guys are taking all this seriously then George is up there laughing at you now. Yes I said UP THERE. Get a sense of humor and leave the dead alone.

[Malachy]

That so called Church is just the Plelps family; not a legit Baptist Church.

This family is so bigoted dumb they do not even realize that George Carlin's fight was to even allow them to say their bigoted puke.

[BoomerNavy]

Carlin represented the true humor of a country that is extremely diversified in its beliefs, and has the ability to accept people of all religious pursuasions.

It is truly remarkable how people of faith, who supposedly are so loving and caring, can harbour so much hatred. If these people would channel their energies into working on the issues that can make life better on earth as they do on issues that can get us into heaven, we would all be better off.

[Mary]

I have never hear of this church, but I know God and only God knows a mans heart. We deceive ourselves in judging only what God can judge. What so many do not understand is the love of God to mankind and how hope has no boundaries. A Christian is not called to picket, but to pray and to show in their lives the love of God. The same way jesus showed his love by being beaten beyond belief, hung on a cross to die for our sin and it also was for the religious crowd, for religion is manmade, not God ordained. But, Jesus lives and there is hope, not hate. A true mark of a christian is one who has compassion and will speak the truth of Jesus.

[hawk]

FYI
There is a group that buffers soldiers families from protesters: Patriot Guard check it out & participate somewhere
peace

[Matt]

Umm, it's rather difficult to be an agnostic (I'll believe in God when his existence is proved) AND and atheist (I don't believe in any God at all) at the same time.

Phelps = Fail

[Josh]

George was not sad, lost, or hollow. He was a happy, optimistic, caring person. He cared very deeply for people, it was organized groups forcing or attempting to force their views, beliefs, and way of life on others he detested.

Of course he sounded bitter in his acts; it was his way of attempting to jolt people in to thinking for themselves. It was an extreme used for effect.

He was also honest, people; in general, do not care unless they are directly affected by something. We all watched the footage of the Katrina disaster, how many packed up and went to help? I'm just as guilty, as George said, at least I admit it. I have faith in people that we will grow to care for one another beyond our personal networks, someday. We are a good people for the most part; George said that every time he went on stage. Then reminded us that we still have a long way to go. There is certainly nothing wrong with that.

We need social critics like George to remind us that we are more than we are. And that we haven't stopped sucking yet.

As for God, well, I've never met him/her/it. I opened my heart long ago to that, read the bible, thought it was a nice story. In the end, I admire most Christians I meet, the ones who do not feel the need to carry a sign with uninspired slogans and tired rhetoric. The true Christians. I also envy the faith they seem to have, but I also dislike the intolerance inherent with all religions. Even with the good Christians, so I simply live my life, be as good to people as I can, and sleep well knowing I am a good person. This is where RIK and the others don't get it, George wasn't criticizing God. he was criticizing your idea of what God is. I am still open to the idea that there may be some intelligent force at work, but it certainly isn't any of the gods we have dreamt up, they are far too human.

So rest in peace George, and if you did by chance find yourself standing before a deity on June 22nd. I know you were welcomed with open arms.

Still miss you.

[Kevin]

I think RIK's sentiments were in the right place, displaying all of the truths about George Carlin and his act. I too loved George very much, as an entertainer, but felt sorry for the lost, hollow, bitter man inside.

Denigrating anyone's beliefs, or non-beliefs, is never acceptable. It ranks down there with racism.

The man is dead. Why protest at his funeral? It only shows that lack of sensitivity and disrespect one human has towards another. Does that now make you better than George?

[Cindi]

Just reading remarks by RIK this morning:in the dictionary beside the word "inappropriate" would be a picture of any group who would show up at a funeral and "protest". I bet it really hurts the person who is dead; and how brave and courageous to disrupt the service/grief process for those persons who are probably at one of the weakest emotional points in their lives. What an easy Kill!!
And to RIK and others who exist in such a simplistic black and white world as he/she; it is so easy to live a robotic life where thinking isn't a requirement. I don't know where you go to church, or don't go, judging/condemning others doesn't come to mind as a part of any religion, decency, good will, and I must have missed the lesson on showing up at funerals to indicate what strong and virtuous characters these participants exhibit. Oh, yeah, it's the one that says "kick people when they're down, and at their weakest" (must be Commandment 11).
For myself, I'll let God do God's work; last I heard, he was in charge of the "Judging Department".
It might be wise for all of us to remember the "money changing" Pharisees: they lived in their little black/white worlds too, always showed up at temple,always tithed their precise amount of money, always touted their adherence to every law and precept of the church. The only time we saw Jesus' temper was his infuriation with this group of simpletons; they totally missed the message, because they didn't have to ever think, just follow that set of rules, especially #11 commandment.
And speaking of behavior that God would really be appreciative of, and commend highly, I'll bet "protesting" at funerals is right up there at the top of His list. Like any of us really knows what God "thinks" !
CA in Lafayette

[RIK]

I admit I used to be a Carlin fan in my youth. As I grew up and matured, I realized that George never did.

George spoke about being raised in a Catholic school and pointed out that those of faith are not perfect. Is anyone? However, going to the service department at Wal-Mart does not make you an expert on auto mechanics, nor does going into a church make you a Christian. George was far from an authority on people of faith. Since it looks like George died a bitter God hater, he never really got the message, just like many of those who posted here.

It is easy to use foul language, drink, do drugs, have sex with anything and everything; these are traits the weak minded who blindly follow what the TV and the world tells them to do; it is an addiction. Addiction is easy; otherwise, why are so many lives destroyed the weak doing the same thing over and over again? Even a dog will return to its own vomit to eat it once again.

Strength is to stand up for authority and what is right. Strength is to say no to a drink, cigarettes, sex, drugs and law breaking. Strength is to go against popularity to do the right thing. Strength is to not follow every fad that comes along. It is easy to do wrong, it is in our nature. It is hard to do what is right.

Picketing a funeral seems to be the thing to do. After all, it is okay to picket the funeral of military people who died, just because you think war is wrong and you do not have the guts to volunteer, or to give your life so the weak minded can picket your funeral. However, it is those same picketers who are outraged that someone is going to picket George's funeral and tell the truth of what George stood for.

Agreed; this "church" is not going about this in the right way. It is not what "main stream" churches do. But before we start blasting this church for pointing out the apparent truth about what George stood for, let's get angry about people protesting at funerals of those who actually lived and died for the rights of all of us.

Let us also not lose sight that George was, at least in his so-called comedy acts, against everything which was right or that which had authority over him. George was anti-strength and pro-weak; which is why George is revered by the weak minded who bow at the George Carlin altar of foolishness.

Finally, when George stood before God, on Sunday June 22, Mr. Carlin found the Truth was no laughing matter. It is sad that people like George Carlin find out the truth too late.

I find that George died on Sunday, the celebrated Lord's Day, a fitting end to his life of hatred toward truth and authority. Truly, God got the last laugh.

[Michael Baker]

I remember when you used to have freedoms in this country,but thats what happens when we elect dumbshits to office not once but twice shame on everyone of you that voted g.w. bush in, as george would say this president is rally " f...ing Dumb! you pu.."ys would go after someone when their dead! religion is for followers of cults, people that have weak minds and are lead easy. so long,George you will be missed,It was always so refreshing to listen to your HBO specials , and know that we had such an intelligent spokesman. "over and out..........."

[Josh]

If these maggots are going to protest Georges funeral then I say there should be a different protest group stnading right next to them. This group would be in the spirit of the man who helped shape the way I think of the world, as well as nutured my desire to stir up people such as these.

This protest group would have signs with slogans such as

"God hates Cheese"
"Thank God for BDSM"
"God breaks for Milky Ways"
"God was a deadbeat dad"
"God invented the alphabet (except for the letter J)"
"God prefers to be called 'Frank'"

And other such nonsensical slogans which would serve no other purpose than to amuse us, diminish them, and say goodbye in a fitting way.

Miss you George.

I thought christians were to love thy neighbor and pray for "lost" people to enter the "heavenly gates". Not only have these people made pricks of themselves, but help prove George's point that groups and organized religion can often be the scum of the earth. Insensitive, judgemental, hypocritical, semi-phsycotic, simple minded people prove once again just what George had us all laughing at. His brilliance was unperallel and caused millions of people to question and challenge simple observations to the highest people of authority. He was clearly centuries ahead of his time and I consider him one of the most influential people in my life and influential people of the last 50 years. If there is some sort of afterlife, I think we can all agree George is laughing his soul off at these closed minded no-it-alls. He truly will be missed and can never be replaced.

[Mojave]

I think those protesters are awful and a whole lot of what George said was great, but his religious ideas involved a lot tossing the baby out with the bath water.

[sensiblysane]

I think GOD loves a great joke and that HE has enough self-esteem to laugh at HIMSELF. I'll really miss George.

[Kobra]

They are going to get their asses kicked.

[Doug]

According to his web site he is being cremated and there are no services,,,so have fun picketing!

[Doug]

I hope they have fun picketing since there are no services, he is being cremated and just a small gathering of friends

[Mitch]

Since death is nothing more than the end of consciousness, it becomes unfortunate that WBC members will never become acquainted with hell themselves.

[joey OBrien]

you know what? George wouldnt want it any other way.

[PhelpsNeedUrine]

They are free to show up.

Everyone at the funeral is free to urinate on them.

[PhelpsNeedUrine]

They are free to show up.

Everyone at the funeral is free to urinate on them.

[Nate]

>However, when will the government
>realize that there shouldn't be
>protestors allowed at funerals?

Free speech and all that, ya know. They should just be sued in civil court afterward.

[Dave from Skokie]

When George passed I lost one of my heroes in life. It is hard to imagine that he is gone from this earth but will never be gone from my heart, mind and thoughts.

[Tom]

I agree that George Carlin would find this amusing. However, when will the government realize that there shouldn't be protestors allowed at funerals? It's a time for family and friends to grieve and also enjoy their memories of the person. To have the idiotic Westville Baptist "Church" protest at funerals is unconscionable.

[Lana]

I was watching his specials on HBO last night with my dad. We were both laughing so hard. Carlin would be amused by these idiot protestors. Maybe another group should go and play his CDs so that they have to hear them while protesting.

[Chris]

George would be honored to know that Phelps and his cult found him worthy of protesting. We'll miss ya George.

[Jim]

Here is my considered intellectual response to those tiny-minded humans who imagine that the little club they belong to means they can say categorically (a) where George is now and (b) how the Good Lord feels about George.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! HAAHHH! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! HAHAHAA! HAHAHA HA!
Read the prodigal son, idiots. George got exactly the same party in heaven as Mother Theresa.

[Tristan Robin]

I thought the Phelps were broke, due to the civil suit they lost to the family of a soldier whose funeral they disrupted.

If they can't pay their court mandated fines, why can't the court take the money spent on the plane trips to these "demonstrations?"

(I've often wondered how O.J. - who can't pay his court levied bills either - is able to fly all over the country. When I fly, it's kinda expensive ... and I don't do it if I have other bills to pay.

[Donna]

What hypocritical, inhumane, people these are. What they commit is blasphemy, and a offense to any Higher Power, or lack of. To picket anyone's last rites is a abomination...but as already stated, George would merely laugh

[mike]

how about this scum goes hunting with Cheney?

[Wendy]

George Carlin didn't have to picket to get attention.......he always played to a
sold out crowd!
George, we miss you already.

[Monica]

George Carlin made me look at the world in a different way. His comedy wasn't even comedy to me, it all made sense. He made me feel like it was okay to question authority and to be agnostic. I would have loved to have met him just to thank him for getting through my teen years. The world lost a truly profound man Sunday. Shame on those people for picketing his funeral. That's God's love at work right there.

[Dave]

So the reason this newspaper loved George Carlin was because he made fun of God? Did they REALLY say that?

[Cat]

Don't worry, if Carlin can see or sense what's happening at his funeral, it will amuse him to no end.

These bigoted people will one day feel God's love...in a well placed smack to the back of the head.

God bless George Carlin. Intellect, questioning, and personal human kindness are not against any decent faith that I know of. He will be missed.

[Cat]

Don't worry, if Carlin can see or sense what's happening at his funeral, it will amuse him to no end.

These bigoted people will one day feel God's love...in a well placed smack to the back of the head.

God bless George Carlin. Intellect, questioning, and personal human kindness are not against any decent faith that I know of. He will be missed.

[Carolina]

Ah yes. Good ole religious nuts. Good thing we have FREE SPEECH for them to be able to stand there and promote their drivel. Be a shame if it were raining on them or if lightning hit. That would be a message from above wouldn't it?

[Jeff from Vegas]

These people really need to get a life.