I am speaking in reference to the Westborough Baptist Church of Topeka, Kansas that go around picketing at Funerals by disgracing the concept of a "loving" God and disrespect the ceremony of the funeral.
Why doesn't the USA government stop them?
2006-12-12 08:28:28 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Other - Society & Culture
The measure of our commitment to "Free Speech" is only tested by those who say things we don't agree with.
Freedom of Speech is not for the majority, or the popular, or the "law-abiding." It's for the vile, hateful, spiteful people of the world - the small minded, the racist, the sexist, and whatever "ists" you come up with.
Just as the true measure of our Christian maturity is our ability to forgive an errant brother.
2006-12-12 08:32:28 · answer #1 · answered by jbtascam 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think they have no life. I often wonder how any of them hold down a job, what with gallavanting all over the country to protest and mock people's grief. I also think they are evil people who should be sterilized and marooned on a desert island to live out the rest of their sad, miserable lives away from the rest of us.
While I disagree with a lot of Christians, particularly Baptists, even I have to admit that Westboro Baptist is a pseudo-Baptist cult. The majority of Baptists are appalled at the way these people act. They (WBC) focus on the portions of the Bible that justify their hate and throw the passages about love to the wayside.
The USA government does not stop them because of the first amedment in the US Constitution that gives people the right to protest. The federal government also doesn't have the jurisdiction to stop them, since it's a state-to-state issue. However, several states have passed laws to keep protesters from getting too close to military funerals. Florida, where I live, has passed this law. It seems to be working because WBC has failed to show up for at least two funerals that it threatened to protest, one of which would have been in my home town!
In addition to individual states passing laws to stop this madness, there's a motorcycle group called the Patriot Guard Riders who go to funerals and protect the family of fallen soliders from WBC by keeping them away. Friends of fallen soldiers have been known to form a protective barrier around the family so they won't have to see these imbeciles.
2006-12-12 09:09:31 · answer #2 · answered by Avie 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The government has backed them away from the funeral service. There is not much more than can do because of the freedom of religion and freedom of assembly.
It is a shame that they are protesting in this manner. These soldiers gave their all for our country. It doesn't matter if you think the mission is right or wrong, you still need to respect the fallen hero.
2006-12-12 08:32:07 · answer #3 · answered by Joseph 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, because the USA government has never seen fit to stop them from standing outside funerals of dead gay people with their hate-filled mouths shouting epithets at grieving friends and family members.
The members of that so-called Church are a disgrace to Christianity and anyone of any common sense. And for them to protest ANY funeral is obscene, immoral and wrong!
And...yes....protected by the First Amendment.
2006-12-12 08:33:06 · answer #4 · answered by FL LMT 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am a devout Christian and I think those people are anything but that they are despicable hateful individuals, and know nothing about the love of Jesus Christ.
The government can not stop them because the men and women whose funerals they are picketing have fought and died to give them the right to be there.
That is the good news bad news part of that situation.
It is people like them that give Christianity a bad name.
2006-12-12 08:35:54 · answer #5 · answered by timjim 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Not a Baptist. False gospel. Go ask the US and A government.
2006-12-12 08:30:31 · answer #6 · answered by vanamont7 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your second question is a good one. There certainly needs to be clear boundaries between freedom of religion and using religion to harm others.
I see what they are doing as a hate crime and equivalent to burning crosses in the gave-yard.
2006-12-12 08:42:30 · answer #7 · answered by thezaylady 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is totally disrespectful and low class but it does come under the heading of free speech. Personally, I would call the police and file charges of harrasment on their azzes.
2006-12-12 08:34:11 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sorry, to post what I actually think about them would violate the user agreement for this site.
2006-12-12 08:35:56 · answer #9 · answered by EQ 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think someone should bash their heads in.
2006-12-12 08:31:45 · answer #10 · answered by kelly 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋