Dad sues ‘Thank God for Dead Soldiers’ church

[Paul the Human]

I have a slightly controversial view on this issue. I believe whole-heartedly in the right to free speech. However, I also feel strongly that people should have the right to grieve, hold a funeral, and say farewell to their loved ones (religiosity aside), without being emotionally and verbally attacked by hate speech. Hate speech should be included in the whole 'free speech' concept, yes... but a funeral is not the proper forum for it. The right to free speech should be upheld, but I think there are times and places that it does not belong. Spew your hate... just don't do it there.

Which is more important? The right to spew hatred or the right to be treated humanely?

[chatpilot]

Minimalist wrote: "You are right, CP, but the first amendment wouldn't mean much if the only speech that was protected was "Hooray for America."
They are sick fucks but the principle of free speech is worth far more than them."

I am not arguing the right to free speech, my position is the exact same one that Paul the Human just wrote. Freedom of speech is all good and well, but in my view their are certain circumstances where it is inappropriate.

[Minimalist]

"Inappropriate?" Absolutely. WBC is a bunch of scumbags. We can all agree that they are being "inappropriate."

But allowing them to be sanctioned by the government is simply to big a price to pay for a nation which claims.....on the surface at least....to value free speech.

As Lincoln said:

"As a nation, we began by declaring that "all men are created equal." We now practically read it, "All men are created equal, except Negroes." When the Know-Nothings get control, it will read, "All men are created equal except Negroes, and foreigners, and Catholics." When it comes to this I should prefer emigrating to some other country where they make no pretense of loving liberty - to Russia, for instance, where despotism can be taken pure, without the base alloy of hypocrisy."

[chatpilot]

These freedoms that we hold so dear as a nation were won with blood,sweat and tears of our many service men and women who put themselves on the line so that some scumbags could come and desecrate their memories in the name of their imaginary guy in the sky. If it wasn't for those soldiers dying in the worlds many fields of combat they would probably have been murdered or suppressed from running their mouths. Freedom is not free but people like Fred Phelps and his church of loonies trample on the graves of the very people that died for the very freedoms they claim. Now that is hypocrisy at its best.

[Minimalist]

These freedoms that we hold so dear as a nation were won with blood,sweat and tears of our many service men and women who put themselves on the line so that some scumbags could come and desecrate their memories in the name of their imaginary guy in the sky.

Ironic, isn't it.


But what did they die for if no one can use those "freedoms?"

BTW, this is not in any way meant to suggest that everyone else watching these dickheads is not also free to denounce them, perhaps even point out how stupid their vision of fucking god is. You also have free speech and it should be used liberally against this group of nuts.

But what I would like you to consider is that when you cross the line so that government is used to sanction a group which speaks out you may well soon find yourself in the next group that is so sanctioned. There are plenty of xtian shitwits in this country who would love to fine you or jail you for being an atheist.

[chatpilot]

If Christians had their way we would all be burned at the stake, but not before they had a little fun torturing us and trying to make us confess that JC is lord.

[Minimalist]

And best that we never forget that!

[chatpilot]

I know, that is messed up.