Controversial Westboro Baptist Attacks Steve Jobs, Plans Funeral Protest

While many mourn the death of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, a church known for its hate-filled protests plans to picket his funeral. Ironically, the Westboro Baptist Church announced its plans via the iPhone.

Jobs, 56, died Wednesday after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. His funeral arrangements have yet to be announced, but that hasn’t stopped the members of Westboro Baptist.

“Westboro will picket his funeral. He had a huge platform; gave God no glory & taught sin,” Margie Phelps, daughter of the church’s founder, tweeted Wednesday night from her iPhone.

The group has faced criticism for using the iPhone to tweet the messages about Jobs’ funeral. “Rebels mad cuz I used iPhone to tell you Steve Jobs is in hell. God created iPhone for that purpose!” Margie Phelps tweeted in response.

The controversial Topeka, Kan., church was founded by Fred Phelps, a disbarred lawyer and former civil rights activist. His church—made up mostly of his family members—has grown notorious for picketing military funerals, high-profile gatherings, gay pride gatherings and even mainstream Christian events. Many Christian congregations have publicly separated themselves from Westboro.

Twitter is abuzz with posts from users outraged and mystified by Westboro’s plan to picket Jobs’ funeral.

“So sad to see how much anger & hate Westboro Baptist spreads throughout our country, especially now,” Alyssa Barlow tweeted.

“No one deserves the hate that comes from westboro baptist, but this is absurd,” tweeted Bob Roman, referencing the way Margie Phelps made her announcement.