In a previous quarter I had a student who did their final project on churches that protest at military funerals. Since then, I have been keeping a close eye on the issue as it has developed. Today, the Supreme Court ruled that the First Amendment protects fundamentalist church members who mount anti-gay protests outside of military funerals, despite the pain they cause.
Matthew Snyder died in Iraq in 2006. Members of the Westboro Baptist Church picketed his funeral in their quest to draw attention to their view that American deaths in Iraq and Afghanistan are God’s punishment for the nation’s tolerance of homosexuality. Holding signs which stated “Thank God for dead soldiers,” “God hates the U.S.A.” and “Thank God for 9/11” protesters picketed his funeral, taking care to obey police orders and stay 1,000 feet off of the property where the funeral was being held. Snyder’s father eventually filed a lawsuit against the church, accusing them of inflicting emotional distress. Forty-eight states agreed with Snyder stating the church members are practicing “psychological terrorism”. Writing for the majority, Chief Justice John Roberts stated, “Speech is powerful. It can stir people to action, move them to tears of both joy and sorrow – and – as it did here – inflict great pain. On the facts before us, we cannot react to that pain by punishing the speaker”.
I have to say, I thought this was a hard case. Personally, I can’t see how someone would intentionally cause a family so much pain, especially a family that has given their son in sacrifice of our country. That being said, I have to agree with the court’s decision. Even though I don’t like it, I’m not for censoring anyone’s speech. That is a slippery slope to start down and once you are on that course, there is no telling what might start getting censored. Free speech protects everyone, not just the speech we agree with. However, my heart goes out to the Snyder’s and all those who have lost loved ones in sacrifice for our country.
So, I’d like to know what you think. “Do you think the Supreme Court got it right, or wrong? Who should decide what speech is acceptable and what is not?” Answers are due no later than Tuesday, March 8th, 2011.
I think it is wrong for church members to protest outside of a military funeral. So I do not believe in the Supreme Courts decision at all. I believe in a thing called " honoring the dead" and this is far from it. It is a hard enough time for loved ones during a funeral let alone with protesters there disturbing them.
ReplyDeleteAnd I do not believe these are the kind of acts Christians should be doing in the first place. If they wanted to witness to people this is definitely not the way to do it. To show that God is a God of love goes completely against their beliefs when they do acts like this.
I don't think any cause has an excuse to disrespect and interrupt a funeral. I feel that is a shared trait among all cultures/religions (at least in the U.S.) and I find it inexcusable.
ReplyDeleteBottom line if you look at the bare basic's, the were trying to capitalized on someone who had given their life fighting for what they believe in.
But, I'm a bit biased in the sense that I don't have high views of Christians shoving their believes into people's faces. I'm from a more southern state with a generation that cannot fathom a person not believing in their own faith. And these "IN YOUR FACE" style of advertising their believes is a common thing, and not something I enjoy. If anything I feel like it hurts their cause more.
Funerals are times of sorrow and depending on beliefs a joyous time, and that should not be interrupted or disgraced in any fashion
ReplyDeleteI would have to agree with you. I hate that they do this, but they are protected by free speech. I would hate that if this was ruled against what else we would no longer be able to do. If somebody died because they were doing something illegal that the government agreed with and people protested, they would think it is ok. My only question is, how can that be morally alright to these people? To say "Thank God for dead soldiers"
ReplyDeleteI agree with Nicole, even though I think it is disrespectful to the soldiers, they are protected by free speech. But feels wrong to me protest protest outside of a military funeral those brave men fight for our country and they deserve respect.
ReplyDeleteIt is hard to draw a line as to what is acceptable speech and what is not. I think that the Supreme Court ruled correctly based on what the law says. I think that there isn't any easy way around this case, the people protesting are wrong for saying that God doesn't love gays. How do the protesters know that gay military deaths are a punishment for being gay... haven't many other non-gay military soldiers died in this war? Having a protest about anything and directing the protest towards those at the funeral is morally wrong.
ReplyDeleteWrong wrong wrong! I don't care what you are protesting, funerals are not the place to do it. I know you have the right to freedom of speech, but protesting at a funeral is flat out abusing that privilege and definitely crosses the line. Now if they went up and said stuff like that to a crowd of soldiers while they were still alive or something, that's definitely rude, but I think that's an instance where it's okay to protect that right. At least then the people could walk away or ignore the protesters, but at a funeral it's a heck of a lot harder to ignore them, and the family shouldn't have to put up with a protest when they're already going through a hard enough time as it is. Even though it may have been a public place and the funeral may have been open to the public, I feel like it's still a private setting in some way. No matter how far away you are, or how calm you keep it, it's just plain disrespectful. If the places were switched and a bunch of people showed up at one of the protester's funeral with signs saying something like "Thank God for dead homosexuals" I'm sure the family would be up in arms about it, so what gives them the right to do it to that poor soldier's family? I have nothing against gay people, so I'm not saying that it's just them who shouldn't be allowed to protest at military funerals. I'm saying that no matter who you are, what you are protesting, and no matter whose funeral it is, there is no need to voice your issues somewhere where people are paying their respects to their loved one.
ReplyDeleteI do not believe that people, especially these people who are affiliated with their church should be able protest a funeral or say the things like that for any reason. I think that the Supreme Court should really think about situations like this and what is truly acceptable. If I was apart of that family, I would be highly offended and hurt by someone allowing people like that to say such tasteless things while I was in the middle of burying my loved one. Idk. I guess for me there really is no one that can decide what can or cant be said. Everybody is going have their own opinion and the Supreme Court seems like they are all geared towards the same views. Offensive and Undecided.
ReplyDeleteFreedom of speech is a powerful and a broad concept within our government. I agree that freedom of speech makes us who we are as Americans, but I also believe that there are certain times and places for everything. Protesting at a funeral is not one of them. It is disrespectful to protest about this issue at a funeral and I think could possibly also be dangerous. Grieving is not an easy process and it would make me more than upset if people were at a funeral protesting an issue that people need to get over. There are so many other things to worry about than this issue. I agree with the Supreme Courts decision even though it does not seem right because I too think that if we start to take away the rights of free speech, many other issues will arise.
ReplyDeleteDanisha Brown
ReplyDeleteI am taken aback right now from reading this. People take things to another level that is unnecessary. If they are believer's then they understand that the battle does not belong to us but to God. But to even look at this from a moral stand point treat others as you'd want to be treated. I'm pretty sure you wouldn't want your loved ones funeral picketed especially when he died for our country.
This reminds me of the story in the Bible where it talks about some making it to the gates of heaven and the Lord saying: “I never knew you". Because this is not an act of a believer, God is not contingent to confusion.
This is what dissuades people to believe and have faith in God because so many "so called believers" are not carrying themselves as they should.
...but to answer the question I agree with the Supreme Court’s decision. Even if they do believe that this is God's punishment, can they voice that somewhere else other than a funeral.
reading what the signs said, were harsh. The are using terrorism as an act of protest. I belive that the churches such address this problem. I don't know what religion they are, but if they are Christan or Catholics I believe that this should be addressed as a church.
ReplyDeleteI believe we should add places such as funeral grounds, churches, homes, should be off limits to protest . In a sense these protesters were violating the family's right of privacy,this was most likely an exclusive funeral of a love one.,
So would considered funerals as a private affair for family and friends of the one who has passed. So I bet there could have worked that angle while in court.
Well I think that the Supreme Court did the right thing, but with that being said they should have sued the church for different charges. . I am not a law major or have any idea what the rules state but shouldn't there be something against potesting or negative protesting at ceromonies? Just to respect the family and friends, but as soon as it's over they can protest all they want. Kind of like weddings, there is a time to say what you need to but after that hold your peace.
ReplyDeleteWow! What is the world coming to? In one day I've seen a video of two suns in the Chinese sky (http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/suns-setting-double-sun-video-china-viral-web/story?id=13076753) and now this blog of people protesting a funeral. At the time the world's people should be banding together we still are using something positive in selfish ways. The First Amendment is very important to have for the country however I feel people don't realize words pack very powerful results. In this case I feel though it doesn't seem right to me to do, the ruling was correct by the Supreme Court. The protest was protected by law however it brings up the question when will it be time to set guidelines to modernize the country. I feel the forefathers did a excellent job setting a base however we need to build laws to current standards.
ReplyDeleteOkay so I have a few choice words that I would like to say to those people but out of respect to everyone else I won't say anything. I think that these people are extremely disrespectful and are heartless. These people have made the ultimate sacrifice, they have given up their daily jobs, time with family, leaving a comfortable safe environment and risking their lives for us. We do not ask them to do this but thankfully there are people willing to step up to do this. To have someone die while trying to defend our honor and our land is a special thing. It really takes a special kind of person to make that sacrifice. Then to have these heartless people protesting when the families or these fallen soldiers are mourning at the funeral shows the most disrespect possible.
ReplyDeleteI normally do not have a problem with what people believe/what what their faith is, but what I can not stand are the people that insist upon forcing their beliefs onto others, claiming that they are right and everyone else is wrong. Personally, I do not believe or disbelieve in a higher power, but that does not mean I think everyone else should believe the same thing I do.
ReplyDeleteI understand why congress did what they did, but the family should have had the right to a private funeral without the religious protesters anywhere near them. I am sure a religious group would not appreciate it if protesters started verbally atatcking their faith during one of their funerals.
Protests should not appear anywhere in sight of or en route to a funeral. It's disrespectful.
I absolutely disagree with the Supreme Court's decision because a funeral is not something that should be tampered with. I think it was cruel of the protesters to do that to a grieving family and don't think anyone deserves anymore emotional pain than what they already are getting from the loss of a loved one. I have been to far too many funerals already in my lifetime and can't imagine having to deal with protesters outside of any of them saying my loved ones deserved to die because that just isn't right. Sure, freedom of speech is something to be respected but at the same time I strictly believe in if you don't have anything nice to say then don't say anything at all. So, I don't think that protesting should be banned but at least not permitted during something already as painful as a funeral.
ReplyDeleteI am all for freedom of speech and the right to protest for or against something. I do not, however, support what the churches are doing. I think that there is a time and place for certain activities and a funeral is not an appropriate place. No matter what state a person passes, their family should be able to mourn in peace and not have to worry about protesters. It is very disrespectful and not sending the right message.
ReplyDeleteI do agree that free speech should be protected. So we can't stop the church from protesting, but they should definitely know better. Maybe we couldnt stop them from protesting, but I wish the family could sue the church for disrupting their funeral and dishonoring their sons sacrifice like that. The church chose the completely wrong way to express their views
ReplyDeleteI think it is absolutely uncalled for...People get too carried away with religion. If they think picketing at a deceased soldiers funeral will help them promote their bias agenda they are wrong. There comes a time when you accept your differences.. preach your beliefs/opinions inside your church, and only in your church... not at your neighbors funeral. Common courtesy/sense you would think.
ReplyDeleteanyways this should not be allowed.
I agree with a lot of the above statements, at least that I don't support censoring any protesters. I just regret that any decent American would choose a soldier's FUNERAL to protest at, holding signs that say, "Thank God for dead soldiers." That, morally, is one of the most disrespectful things I have ever heard of, and it upsets me to even think about.
ReplyDeleteIn agree that the court made the right decision, even though i don't agree with the situation. As a fellow Christian I agree that homosexual behavior is wrong and needs to be protested but there is a time and place for it and this is one of those times where it didn't need to happen.
ReplyDeleteI really feel like that whole situation was a mess. That church was 100% wrong and should have got in trouble. I think that free speech should be protected only when it doesn't cause harm to some one.
ReplyDeleteI think that gender roles have changed today and that men and women both can do more than they could in previous years. I think it is important for parents to raise their children according to their gender. When the child grows up it can decide for itself if it wants to be trans gender or not. I think that J. Crew used this image to sell clothes because companies like this always use shots of families or couples interacting because it seems more down to earth. We see people doing everyday things and then we say, "Oh look how cute her shorts are!". I don't think they used it to promote trans gender propaganda, that is just silly. However I do think that they should have used another photo, this one is confusing as to the message and they had to have other ones to choose from.
ReplyDelete