Posts Tagged ‘Westboro Baptist Church’
Image from The New York Times
Another natural disaster leaves more than 100 dead and thousands of more without homes.
Someones gotta go! Supreme Court tells California to cut its prison population.
Last laugh: Comedienne turns anti-gay protest into fundraiser for the Gay Men’s Health Crisis organization.
Was it his first choice? Former-RNC Chairman gets a new job…at “liberal” news network.
As the U.S. mourns the victims of the Tucson shooting, there is one group who doesn’t share the sadness.
Members of the now infamous Westboro Baptist Church released their plans to protest the funerals of the six people who died during the attack.
The certified hate group has become infamous for their anti-gay rhetoric and protests of funerals for soldiers killed in Afghanistan and Iraq.
They’ve found reason in this tragedy to spread their hate but Arizona lawmakers are determined to stop them.
Following the group’s announcement, the Arizona state legislature are crafting a way to limit the group’s access to the funerals.
In recent years, the church’s right to free speech has been both challenged and supported. These questions are likely to rise again with the recent turn of events.
Take our poll and let us know what you think:
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Believable, in an unbelievable way: The Westboro Baptist Church will be picketing the funerals of the victims of Saturday’s shooting in Tuscon.
Genuine Ken: The Search for the Great American Boyfriend. Wait, what?
Another crooked politician headed to the jailhouse: This time, it’s Tom DeLay.
Non sequitur alert! Cat video:
“Thank God for dead soldiers” and “God hates fags”.
Welcome folks to the loving gospel of the Westboro Baptist Church!
You will see members of the church carrying signs and screaming the epitaphs above at the funerals of soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. The Church believes these wars and their casualties are a curse from God, punishment for America’s immorality, tolerance of gays/lesbians and abortion.
Margie J. Phelps, daughter of the church’s founder said in a statement ”Nation, hear this little church. If you want [the soldiers] to stop dying, stop sinning.”
Everyone seems to agree that the church’s actions are insensitive and hurtful, but what is not so clear is their right to protest. Albert Snyder, the father of a fallen soldier, is suing the church for invasion of privacy and emotional distress. Their case has now made it to the US Supreme Court.
In America the standard is that an idea cannot be censored regardless of how objectionable it is. But because you have the right to say something does it mean you should say it? Should there be limits to free speech?
Newly minted Justice Elana Kagen pondered “So does that mean that now we have to start reading each sign, and saying ‘war is wrong’ falls on one side of the line but ‘you are a war criminal’ falls on another side of the line?”
Such discussions about our rights seem to be a sign of the times. What do you think?
There’s a rule of thumb that says the most volatile subjects for any discussion are politics and religion. We’ like to add two more: Leonard Nimoy (don’t mess with Trekkies), and… military funerals.
Military funerals are sad enough affairs as is… A loved one, serving the nation, lost in the line of duty.
Imagine then, uninvited guests to the same funeral, picketing, protesting shouting “God hates you” and “You’re going to hell” displaying signs “Thank God for Dead Soldiers” and “God Blew Up the Troops.” …read more.
