Church Group Brings Message Of 'Hate'

Members of a Kansas church who said they are "spreading God's hate" held a demonstration outside Seattle's Garfield High School as hundreds of students staged a counter-demonstration to spread a "message of love" Monday morning.

The group from Topeka-based Westboro Baptist Church later moved to the street outside the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle, where they faced another counter-demonstration.

SLIDESHOW: Hate Group, Students Face Off

The church group of about six people from the church held signs that said "God hates fags" and "God hates Jews" at each location.

"They're teaching them how to worship themselves instead of fearing God and keeping his commandments. That's why we're here -- because the front lines of this battle are in the high schools," said Jonathan Phelps of Westboro Baptist Church at the Garfield protest.

The group was greatly outnumbered by students who assembled across the street.

"I think it's hateful and intolerant. Even if they believe it, they shouldn't be spreading all this hate around the community," said Luke Evans, a sophomore.

One young woman offered members of the church group a "love" button, saying she was "spreading the love."

"Well, we're spreading God's hate," said a church group member in response.

After leaving Garfield, the Westboro Church members demonstrated outside the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle.

Despite the protestors' anti-Semitic signs and speech, Jewish leaders didn't join the rhetoric, issuing a statement that read: "There is no place in America for this type of division if we are to remain a strong and united country. Instead, (we are) focused on helping keep Seattle safe from hate."

On Sunday, members of the Topeka, Kansas-based church rallied at three Seattle houses of worship: Saint James Cathedral, Congregation Beth Shalom, and Mount Zion Baptist. At all three locations they were met by counter-protesters who greatly outnumbered them.

The controversial group left Seattle late Monday morning for Oregon. They plan to picket more schools and churches in Portland and Eugene.