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I did not attend the burial ceremony for Army Corp. Alexander Jordan - killed in action in Iraq on Sept. 10 - at the Vista Verde Memorial Park cemetery in Rio Rancho on Sept. 21. But I have something to say to the handful of protesters from the Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kan., who disrupted the solemn service held for Jordan and his family.

In an attempt to use Jordan's funeral as a venue to condemn the United States for being tolerant of homosexuals, they displayed signs that said, "God Hates You" and "Thank God for Dead Soldiers." They trampled the American flag.

To the protesters from Westboro Baptist Church: I'd like to share a story with you.

One night several years ago on Christmas Eve, John Hayworth kissed his wife and two daughters goodbye as they left the house at 11:30 p.m. to drive into town. They were headed to celebrate the birth of Christ at the midnight candlelight service held each year at their local church. It was snowing heavily, and John was more than a little concerned that the roads might be icy.

However, being an atheist, he was a man of logical principle when it came to religious faith. It was inconceivable to John how the divine could manifest itself in human flesh and become a Savior on Earth for the benefit of mankind. It was simply illogical to believe the New Testament account of the birth, life and death of Christ.

The snow began falling more heavily. Soon, John began to hear several thumps on the side of the house. The winter storm had disrupted swarms of doves from their roosts, and they were crashing blindly into the window on the side of the house, attracted to the light, which signaled warmth and shelter. Quickly, John turned off the lights, but the reflection of street lamps and other illuminations on the glass still made the window invisible to the panicked doves.

One by one, they continued to smash into the glass and fall lifelessly to the ground. John ran outside, vainly waving his arms to shoo the birds away. But it was no use.

John fell to his knees in despair as the birds perished. "If only I was one of them, I could make them understand," he said. "They would listen to me. They wouldn't have to die like this."

At that moment, the church bells began to ring. It was midnight. It was Christmas. And John understood.

So how does one communicate with fundamentalists from the Westboro Baptist Church? Perhaps if I had their same appearance - that of a haughty-eyed, wicked-scheme-devising, dissension-among-brothers-stirring false witness, with feet that are quick to rush into evil (things the Lord hates, according to Proverbs 6:16-18) - I could get through to them. I could make them understand just how insensitive, ignorant and hurtful they are.

Bullington is a senior policy adviser for the Brownstein, Hyatt and Farber law firm. He welcomes comments at jdbullington@gmail.com.