Why do people counter protest the Westboro Baptist Church

I have just been watching a documentary about the church and I have to ask why do people counter protest them and give them the time of day. I understand that picketing funerals is a terrible thing but giving them more attention just seems to be fueling the fire, why don't we just ignore them and then maybe they will go away. I also have to say that I am an adamant anti-theist and really think the church is parasitic, but is showing them to the world week in week out not just fanning the fire?