Is this Religion?

Question

GOOD MORNING BALTIMORE -- The father of a Marine killed in Iraq took the stand in his invasion of privacy suit against a fundamentalist church that pickets soldiers' funerals, saying protesters carrying signs at his son's burial made him sick to his stomach. Albert Snyder said Wednesday he had hoped for a private funeral for his son, Lance Cpl. Matthew Snyder.
They turned this funeral into a media circus and they wanted to hurt my family," Snyder testified. "They wanted their message heard and they didn't care who they stepped over. My son should have been buried with dignity, not with a bunch of clowns outside.

Snyder is suing the Westboro Baptist church, whose members have picketed the funerals of military personnel killed in Iraq and Afghanistan, claiming the deaths are punishment for the country's tolerance of homosexuality. The York resident is seeking unspecified monetary damages in the case for invasion of privacy and intent to inflect emotional distress.

Answer 1

Yes, it is Religion. Religion causes wars. Religion leads people to do bad things. Religion can also make people's lives better. Religion is a man-made creation, and too often it is used for the most evil things in this world, regardless of the Higher Being it is supposed to represent.

Answer 2

Hold on here I need my Coca Cola.........What I am going to say may offend a few people but I think it needs to be said anyway. Let's face it we have been in a war of dogma and ideology for centuries. Whether it be a Christian, Islamic, Hindu, or Buddhist, it has been about power and who controls it. In human history wars have begun over this same subject but this time another element has been put in this witches brew, and it is political. The old adage states you don't mix religion or politics or you shall surely die. Westboro Baptist Church has chosen to do this for one reason only and that is to somehow gain some political advantage period. It is not about their Holy book, homosexuality, not even the military, it is all about them and them only. They have chosen homosexuality as their vehicle and like a drunk driver they have chosen our military and an unwitting victim. Dying is a private affair, it is also a public on as well. This church has decided to step on the very graves that won them the right to be in the sewers they are in right now. It is liken to an alcoholic stupor, if they don't get their fix their little movement will be crushed of its own weight. It is worse than the town drunk, it is worse than the town addict, they have prostituted themselves for their own selfish ends. They are nothing but a hooker, and their pimp is their sick twisted ideology. No greater love than for someone to lay down his life for a friend, and for our military even someone they do not even know.

Answer 3

Your legal analysis is suspect. Freedom of speech only concerns freedom from government restriction...

But this is not government restriction. This is simply a private citizen suing for tortious conduct by another private party. For this reason, I feel the freedom of speech issue is irrelevant.

Invasion of Privacy and IIED certainly can occur in public venues as well as private. If I drove around my public street at 3:00 am and announced with a bullhorn "Vote for Pedro"
I may be subject to suit by any of the residents living there; freedom of speech will not defend my actions.

Answer 4

This it about the most disgusting thing I've ever heard.

After further investigation of this group, I was pleased to learn that they are NOT affiliated in any way with any of the Baptist conventions in the world. As far as I'm concerned, I hope the judge throws the book at them...this so called "church" is nothing but a dangerous cult of psychotic blasphemers and I plan to add my voice to what I'm sure are thousands of voices already pleading with God to destroy them and their message of hate. I'm not sure if that's the Christian thing to do, but I know that several verses in the bible supporting the idea of praying for vengance against one's enemies.

I know I am supposed to love my enemies so I can't take vengance myself, but I will admit that loving this group would be the most difficult thing God has ever asked me to do. My only consolation is believing that God promises he will deal with them in a far more effective way than I could ever do...and when I first read about this group, I came up with some pretty good ones!

Answer 5

I hope that Albert Snyder wins his law suit against WBC. I hope that the judge awards him $200 Million dollars. Those WBC members are a disgrace to the human race.

Answer 6

Although the church was so incredibly wrong beyond belief, it is most definately a frivolous lawsuit.

Freedom of speech gives the group a right to do this.
The funeral sites could change policy to forbid this kind of behavior, though.

Answer 7

Dear Sexy S,
The Westboro Baptist church is nothing more than bigotry and homophobia masquerading as a religion.
The Extreme Right Reverend Fred Phelps preaching "God hates fags" is no more religion than are the Klan when they burn a cross
Hugs,
PennyAnn

Answer 8

The Westboro Baptist is NOT an example of any, let alone true Christianity. What they have done is horrible. But the Bible says" Vengeance is mine. I will repay". We should also remember that God says to pray for them that despitefully use us. That is a prime example.

Answer 9

Just another example of the glory of what Christians do and stand for.

I hate the fact this young man gave his life to protect and to provide for the freedom of religious jerks like WBC to do this kind of thing.

But I am grateful he made such a noble and selfless choice.

Answer 10

Some Religions make people do some very strange and terrible things. Maybe a big money winning lawsuit will break that kind of thing up.