Lately I have been reading up about this group known collectively as the Westboro Baptist Church. If you have not heard about them, they are the people who rudely interrupt military funerals for fallen soldiers and raise picket signs such as "Thank God for IEDs" and "Thank God for Dead Soldiers". They have been classified as a hate group (rightly so) for their views against the government, homosexuality, the military, and many other things. I personally feel that it is an insult to our country to allow these people to be protected by the First amendment to spew their hate-filled rhetoric and to falsely smear the memory of our fallen soldiers who died to give them the right to preach their message of hate. Tell me what you all think and I encourage people to give both sides of the issue on how they really feel and understand that this is an open forum to state your opinions.
2007-12-14 04:10:33 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I believe they are morally wrong and unchristian in both their beliefs and their actions.
I also believe that they have the right to freedom of religion and freedom of speech. However these rights are not absolute.
They can believe anything they want. They can also practice those beliefs, within reason. For example, we do not allow the practice of human sacrifice.
They can say anything they want, within reason. For example, one cannot yell "Fire!" in a crowded auditorium if there is no fire.
That said, I think it is completely within the government's authority to restrict when and where this group and most other groups can protest.
With love in Christ.
2007-12-21 07:10:21 · answer #1 · answered by imacatholic2 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Even though I don't condone what they preach and how they go about it, I must stand behind them and argue for the 1st amendment and their right to protest and demonstrate as they see fit as long as they do it within the confines of the law. There are military supporter groups out there like the American Legion and the Veterans of foreign wars that also go to the same places that the Phelps group does and they stand as a wall separating the family's from the hate filled rhetoric that the Phelps clan spews.
2007-12-14 04:19:46 · answer #2 · answered by Biker4Life 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
They were sued by the ACLU and they lost. It will cost that church millions which I hope will put an end to their rhetoric. I don't like them any more than you do, I do believe in freedom of speech, but I will not condone the hate demonstrations at military funerals. They can preach all they want in the confines of that church, but not in the presence of the families of brave young men and women.
2007-12-14 04:20:08 · answer #3 · answered by ruriksson 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My thoughts are first--They are not a church. If you have ever seen them interviewed, quickly anyone can determine they are mentally ill. That is not a put down to people with mental illness...but unfortunately, I believe they need professional help. Second they are looking to provoke assault so that THEY can sue YOU. Yes, they are a hate group, on the verge of committing hate crimes. They are free to speak, however there is such a thing as tress passing. It is a free country, as long as we are not violating someone else. They have gone beyond their right to freedom of speech.
2007-12-14 04:46:23 · answer #4 · answered by Dynamic H 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have 2 thoughts on this:
#1. yes they have the right to say whatever they want to. That IS the law.
#2. Funerals are intensly private affairs, (at lkeast for us NON-celebreties!).
Victims rights MUST be respected!
No, it is NOT against Freedom of speech, to forbid Westboro to picket there.
2007-12-14 04:16:26 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It certainly is an insult, but it's Constitutionally protected. Freedom of speech is so fundamental to libertarian ideals, that we just have to put up with it. If we allow any kind of speech to be prohibited, tyranny may eventually result.
That said, if they are tresspassing, or in other ways violating the law while doing this, then by all means charge them for it.
2007-12-14 04:14:58 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
as much as I hate Westboro Baptist Church and as much as I hate they had a case right here, the courts have been good. they did no longer do something to violate any rules as they have the excellent to freedom of speech besides as skill to peacefully convey collectively.
2016-10-11 06:52:56 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that they are ignorant, bigoted, and hateful. However, so long as they are not inciting violence they should be protected under the First Amendment.
Free speech is not free if we only allow the people we agree with to speak.
2007-12-14 04:28:01 · answer #8 · answered by N 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
18 yr veteran and a disabled vet. I hate them and really wish they would leave my country.
BUT, We have a saying in the military
I may not agree with what you say, But I will defend your right to say it ,even with my life. ...enough said God Bless freedom of speech.
2007-12-14 04:17:36 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I hate everything they say.
But freedom of speech is freedom of speech I don't like, or it means nothing at all. I'm barely convinced that the recent judgement against them was in the right.
2007-12-14 04:14:04 · answer #10 · answered by Doc Occam 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋