2008 Woodie Awards
Hatred and Bigotry Fuel Funeral Protests in Several States
Alexandra Neale
Issue date: 4/27/06 Section: Opinions
When you think about a soldier's funeral, you might think of a septet of G.I.'s conducting a 21-gun salute, or a Marine playing "Taps" on a bugle while his brother or sister-in-arms presents an American flag to a devastated and grieving family member. What doesn't come to mind is the sound of incensed protesters shouting slogans such as "Thank God for Dead Soldiers" or "You're Going to Hell."
Yes, mourners at several military funerals face this scenario. Various members of the Westboro Baptist Church, a fundamentalist splinter group, are protesting outside of military funerals all over the country, carrying signs of detestation and shouting words of animosity, actions that disrespect the fallen soldiers and deeply hurt their families. One would think they were protesting the war or the government's foreign policies; why else would they disturb such an emotionally heartbreaking ritual?
No, they believe that God kills soldiers in order to punish America for condoning homosexuality. Yes people, homosexuality.
The Westboro congregation, led by the not-so-virtuous Rev. Fred Phelps, claims to literally interpret the Bible. Yet I do not see how signs displaying such hateful words as "Thank God for IED's" or "Tennessee Taliban" correlate with the Bible, a book which implores its readers to "love thy neighbor as yourself," or "do unto others as you would have others do unto you." The Westboro group twists the Bible and Christianity to facilitate their purpose; they sully the religion and image of peaceful anti-war Christians in the process. The protesters have also, in the course of their activities, chosen to abuse their first amendment privileges-privileges granted to them by the same country which they claim is hell-bound for overlooking homosexuality-in order to spread hatred and bigotry. And rather than choosing to exercise these rights in an open forum where their opponents can fairly debate them, the Westboro congregation goes to funerals, where the families of the killed are too grief-stricken and emotionally wounded to adequately defend their lost ones. It's rude and contemptible, not to mention completely inappropriate.
Yes, mourners at several military funerals face this scenario. Various members of the Westboro Baptist Church, a fundamentalist splinter group, are protesting outside of military funerals all over the country, carrying signs of detestation and shouting words of animosity, actions that disrespect the fallen soldiers and deeply hurt their families. One would think they were protesting the war or the government's foreign policies; why else would they disturb such an emotionally heartbreaking ritual?
No, they believe that God kills soldiers in order to punish America for condoning homosexuality. Yes people, homosexuality.
The Westboro congregation, led by the not-so-virtuous Rev. Fred Phelps, claims to literally interpret the Bible. Yet I do not see how signs displaying such hateful words as "Thank God for IED's" or "Tennessee Taliban" correlate with the Bible, a book which implores its readers to "love thy neighbor as yourself," or "do unto others as you would have others do unto you." The Westboro group twists the Bible and Christianity to facilitate their purpose; they sully the religion and image of peaceful anti-war Christians in the process. The protesters have also, in the course of their activities, chosen to abuse their first amendment privileges-privileges granted to them by the same country which they claim is hell-bound for overlooking homosexuality-in order to spread hatred and bigotry. And rather than choosing to exercise these rights in an open forum where their opponents can fairly debate them, the Westboro congregation goes to funerals, where the families of the killed are too grief-stricken and emotionally wounded to adequately defend their lost ones. It's rude and contemptible, not to mention completely inappropriate.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Anonymous
posted 5/02/06 @ 7:57 PM EST
Mabye twothousand years ago we could not explain lighting thunder earthquakes So what to do ,make up a supreme being to answer those questions well now it over two thousand years later and we know what causes lighting thunder earthquakes . (Continued…)
Anonymous
posted 5/06/06 @ 7:07 PM EST
just so you know and so you can access their website to keep up to date on the locations these monsters go to here is the url for their sicko website. (Continued…)
Anonymous
posted 5/07/06 @ 9:34 AM EST
Yes God is angery with America. We are rejecting Him and living wicked lives but He says "If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face then will I hear from heaven and will heal their land. (Continued…)
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