The Supreme Court has decided to hear a controversial legal battle this fall, one that pits a church’s right of free speech against an individual’s right to privacy. Here are the details:
Matthew Snyder was a marine killed in Iraq. His funeral was held in 2006 in Maryland. However, during his funeral the Westboro Baptist Church picketed with banners saying "God hates fags" and "Thank God for dead soldiers" even though Snyder himself was not gay. The Kansas-based church headed by Fred Phelps has a congregation of 70 to 80 members who consider themselves prophets. The church believes that various tragic events and killings such as a soldiers' death in Iraq are caused by God because he hates America for "enabling" homosexuality. Westboro protests at all sorts of locations, events and funerals claiming they are works of God's judgment. (They post their picket schedule online at www.godhatesfags.com).
So Snyder's father Albert decided to sue Phelps and his daughter Shirley Phelps-Roper, for $5 million for invasion of privacy and emotional distress; at first he won. But when an appeals court ruled their freedom of speech was protected by the First Amendment, Mr. Snyder's award was overturned and he was told he must pay legal fees of $16,500. He has appealed the decision to the Supreme Court and will argue that the church's behavior constitutes harassing people at their most vulnerable and is an incitement to violence, causing harm to others, in much the same way that one is not allowed to yell "fire" in a crowded room.
It figures an extreme religious group would be stirring up more hatred in the world. Hard to believe these people actually think they are doing God's good work. When I read stuff like this I realize why so many people hate Christians.
I take a pretty strong view of freedom of speech. I tend to think it should be protected at all costs. However, what these protesters are doing is just cruel.
One of the few things I remember from law school is that when limiting speech, the court allowed the state to place “time place and manner” restrictions on speech. It seems a local jurisdiction could oppose this type of speech based on that criteria. But what do I know.
That said, I still think the best way to oppose these people is simply to mock to them. Here’s an excellent example:
http://laughingsquid.com/san-franciscos-answer-to-westboro-baptist-church/
I think these guys: http://www.patriotguard.org/ try to go to every funeral on the WBCs picket itinerary.
Those were some pretty sweet signs in SF. My fave was “I HAVE A SIGN”
If you do a little reading on the Phelps clan, you’ll find out most of the adults in the family are practicing lawyers. One of their main goals with these protests is to rile up people enough to break the law and give them an excuse to sue, and they’ve been very successful. They also use their legal expertise to make their sign messages as offensive as possible without breaking the law themselves.
Ultimately, they’re a live action version of internet trolls, and shouldn’t be taken seriously because they’re out for attention and money.
pretty hilarious signs at laughingquid! I love ‘God hates signs’ and ‘I was promised donuts!’ ha! their humor kills – i love it!
unbelievable about the Phelps clan being practicing lawyers riling up ppl enough to break the law so they can sue. now i’ve heard everything. they are the true bottom dwellers of the earth. how much more important that Albert wins against having to pay those court fees. sheesh.
i meant laughingsquid
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YES! Now this is a brilliant use of parody and sarcasm.
Ahhh “Time, Place and Manner” that was the topic that tripped my up on the bar exam. Damn three part rules, I usually only remember 2 of them off the top of my head.
Anyway, I am a big free speech believer as well, which actually does make me hope the Supreme Court doesn’t take away their right to picket, only their right to picket at funerals. In my mind that really is a “private” event not open to public concourse. And the dude should not have to pay their legal fees. That’s just wrong. Either way I’m glad someone has taken on these a-holes, even if futile, it’s still the fight that matters.
The worst part of all of this is that regular, down to earth, Jesus and people loving Christians aren’t the ones getting the press time, its these blasphemous revenants of the sinners-in-the-hands-of-an-angry-God age that are getting all the attention. Christians who are actually making a difference in their communities are being hurt because the “public” face of Christianity are these guys, Benny Hinn, and Haiti-got-worked-because-they-made-a-pact-with-the-devil-Pat Robertson. Where’s the smite button when you need it?
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Love it – smite button (is that the same as calling down fire?)
Our sentiments exactly – we’ve discussed this very thing, mulling over what other name we could call ourselves since Christian stands for something else now. We don’t want to identify with the BH’s and PR’s who are getting the press. Since we definitely are a different kind of Christian than they are, why should we be lumped in with them?
But then again, why do THEY get to keep the name Christian? Maybe they aren’t the real deal anymore so THEY should get another name.
Best case scenario would be that they get translated to their own planet (since they are so spiritually elite and all) and take the NAR (New Apostolic Reformation) with them – they could all rule and reign over each other and give each other prophecies.
Interesting article was passed my way: 'Most-hated,' anti-gay preacher once fought for civil rights
Looks like this guy used to do some good. Isn't it amazing how the longer Christians run in these circles the more warped their minds become?
1 John 4:8
Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.