I really think that legal action should have been taken against the Westboro Baptists long ago. What really sets me off is the documentary on the BBC, entitled The Most Hated Family in America. In it, Shirley Phelps-Roper broadcasts her young( about 5 year old) son chanting "god hates this fa.g nation",etc. This pisses me off even more than the funeral protests. Not only are they actively poisoning America, they are now poisoning the future generations of America!
And the funeral protests are ridiculous. These troops gave their lives to protect the Phelps' pathetic hides, and yet they are dishonoring the deceased that fell for their country.
I am religious, however, I think that legal action should be taken against them. I mean, come on. How in the hell can chanting "God hates fags" and "god hates America" be protected in the First Amendment? Freedom of speech is not unlimited.
At least I'll have consolation knowing that every last one of the WBC's members will burn in Hell.
2007-11-22 14:34:08 · 14 answers · asked by Agent 007 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I tend to be very liberal in the matter of free speech, but I really do think that these people are crossing the line. When anyone says that radical Muslim extremists are a threat to our country, remember that Christian extremists are no better.
2007-11-22 14:46:59 · update #1
Unfortunately, they do have the right to spout off whatever idiotic nonsense they feel like. That is protected free speech.
However, at least one family has taken them to court for the protests at the funerals, and they, WBC lost the case. I know that it is on appeal, and their Lawyer is sure it'll be overturned on appeal, however, I don't think it will.
Yes, they have the right to spout off whatever nonsense they feel like, BUT, they don't have the right to invade a private function, nor do they have the right to take their protest onto private property.
It's long been established that you can walk into a public park, get on a soapbox, and spout off whatever nonsense you want. That does *not* extend to the central area of a mall. The difference is public verses private property, and a cemetery is owned, which makes it private property, not public. A funeral is private function, not a public function, which means the family can control who does, or does not come.
If they want to stand on the sidewalk and spout nonsense, fine, if they want to walk into the funeral home, and they want to enter the cemetery...wrong. Hopefully, they lose big time...I'm sure Jesus will pay their court costs....(I really hope they like warm, sulfurious places).
2007-11-22 14:54:55 · answer #1 · answered by Hatir Ba Loon 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i agree
im all for free speech, but protesting funerals like they do is just about the most perverted thing i can think of.
edit: lol, not even the kkk protests funerals like the phelps family does, and that is really saying something about the degree of their hate. If they want to spread their crap in the streets, fine. But funerals? Thats just too much for me.
2007-11-22 14:39:29 · answer #2 · answered by It's a lamp! 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
THere is not much action that can be taken against them legally, unless the are found to be tresspassing on private property or inciting a riot. As despicable as it is, they are free to voice their opinions--and why they continue to despite the knowledge that everyone in the country hates them is beyond me. Takes a lot of nerve to say what they say.
You just have to believe that justice will be served to them someday, somehow.
2007-11-22 14:39:52 · answer #3 · answered by colebolegooglygooglyhammerhead 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Not a Christian, but you really want a totalitarian regime, don't you? The right to picket is a basic human right, as is the right to say whatever nonsense pops into your head. There are social consequences for saying negative things, and not punitive governmental consequences. Nor should there be. What do you really want big brother monitoring our water-cooler circle for racial jokes?
edit: Liberal, yeah, that's liberalism. Just bear this quote in mind, okay? "Any society who would give up a little liberty, to gain a little security would deserve neither, and lose both."
2007-11-22 14:37:41 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
I don't agree with them, but I have to agree with their right to do it.
From the movie "The American President;"
Everybody knows American isn't easy. America is
advanced citizenship. You gotta want it bad, 'cause it's gonna put up a fight. It's gonna say, "You want free speech? Let's see you acknowledge a man whose words make your blood boil, who's standing center stage and advocating, at the top of his lungs, that which you would spend a lifetime opposing at the top of yours. You want to claim this land as the land of the free, then the symbol of your country can't just be a flag; the symbol also has to be one of its citizens exercising his right to burn that flag in protest." Show me that, defend that, celebrate that in your classrooms. Then you can stand up and sing about the land of the free.
2007-11-22 14:43:46 · answer #5 · answered by Justsyd 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I want to make absolutely clear that I believe the funeral picketing and similar activities are reprehensible. I don't want ANY mistake about that.
That being said - as disgusting as I think these people are, they have the right to say what they believe, even if it's total, abject nonsense like this, and I believe that we must defend that right. I don't believe they should be prosecuted for exercising a right.
2007-11-22 14:38:15 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋
Although, as a military family, I disagree with what they are doing, and what they believe.....
We are defending the right to freedom...therefore, by prosecuting them, we are taking away their rights.
It sucks, but its reality.
If you really are against what they are doing, join the patriot guard. You dont have to ride, just support them....They are the ones helping the military families at funerals by keeping the Phelps away...
2007-11-22 15:09:16 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
No. They're protected by the First Amendment. A few more civil cases may make them cease these protests.
2007-11-22 14:36:35 · answer #8 · answered by taa 4 · 4⤊ 0⤋
It is protected by freedom of speech. They're not inciting violence, so they can say whatever they want. Just like the KKK holding public rallies to this day.
2007-11-22 14:38:16 · answer #9 · answered by 雅威的烤面包机 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
By any definition, this is hate-mongering, not free-speech.
Doing this in the name of Christianity is even more heinous.
I don't understand why it took so long to bring them to justice.
But be careful you don't join them by condemning them to hell.
2007-11-22 14:40:10 · answer #10 · answered by Robert S 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋