Why Westboro, Why

Sometimes people can irritate you and sometimes they make you mad and sometimes they make your blood boil.  In reality, however, how you feel is all you.  I suppose these days that is a hard concept to grasp because we live in a society where personal responsibility has been replaced by cause and effect; it is someone or something else's fault you felt or behaved the way you did.
Maybe this is an oversimplification, but I believe it is really that simple.  We are sentient.  We can choose how to respond.  Granted, some have more tools they can use to deal with situations than others but regardless, the action was a choice.
Let me get back on point now.
Today there is a funeral where I live for a soldier who was killed in Germany.  It has been said that the Westboro protestors are going to attend the funeral. I am angry.
We live in a country where we can speak our mind, and what we say is protected (for the most part).  Westboro has decided that their message is most effective when shared at funerals.  I don't think it is any secret that they chose this venue to increase their chances of being heard nationally and even globally.
I am angry because they exploit the loss of a soldier and son and the grief of a family and community to promote their belief that God has told them to let people know that God hates sinners.
It appears to me, however, that it is their own self-righteousness which dictates what they do.  I seriously doubt God has any consideration in their organization beyond the abuse and misuse of His Word to promote their ideology.
Jesus Himself can be found in the company of sinners.  He IS Love and proved that love on the Cross.  I do not see that in the Westboro message.
They celebrate death and destruction.  They encourage their children to celebrate the death of a soldier.  If their mission is to convince America to turn back to God, then I believe the love they should have would be a crushing weight on their souls leaving no room for celebration of any kind.  I do not believe that love would protest at funerals.
Unfortunately, I can only read about what other people say about them because their sites are inaccessible.  So in the absence of any sign of real love on their part, I can only conclude that they are a self-important group with a message that they want the world to know about and that they choose to use pain and grief as the platform from which they share that message.  The only goal I can see is a desire to remain true to their ideology.  America and people at large may be a part of that ideology, but it is not the goal.
Maybe after I see them in operation first hand, I will have a better understanding and insight into all this.