Judge upholds part of Ohio law banning picketing at funerals
A federal judge on Friday upheld significant portions of a state law that limits when and where people may protest at funerals, a law aimed at a small fundamentalist Kansas church whose members picket burials of U.S. troops killed in combat, arguing that the deaths are God’s punishment for homosexuals.
The 2006 law prohibits protesters from being within 300 feet of a cemetery, funeral home, church or synagogue either one hour before or after a burial service.
The church (responsible for the picketing) has argued that the protests are a form of religious expression and that mourners can avert their eyes from unwanted forms of speech. Some of the members have held signs reading “God Hates Fags” and “God Made IEDs,” a reference to roadside bombs (the main cause of death of our soldiers in the middle east).You can read the article here.
- Do you believe that picketing at a funeral is freedom of speech that is protected under the first amendment or should families mourning their loved ones be left in peace?
- Does the Westboro Baptist Church (aka, "GodHatesFags.com") misrepresent the Bible and give a bad name to Christianity?
posted by phs_sociology at 8:59 PM
14 Comments:
I dont think any one has a right to picket at some ones freaking funeral thats just totally wrong i believe they do give a bad name to christinity because not ever christian hates homosexual's
I don't care what they're protesting agianst they shouldn't be there in the first place and why do they care? Yes, it give christians' bad names because I'ma christian and I don't care what sexual prefrence people are and either should anybody else. Even though in the Bible it says "Man shall only love women." doesn't mean you have to target spacific poeple. what ever happend to "Do on to other as you shall do on to yourself?"
there is no reason for someone to be there when they are not suposed to be. thats is completely disrespectful to the person who has passed away and their family! and not all christians hate the homosexuals!
Disrespect means nothing in the face of the law. This is freedom of speech and assembly, our first amendment rights... I actually have to go on the side of letting them protest if they want.
To some Christians, this may give them a good name, to other a bad. It just depends on individual views and interpretations, but I in no event approve of this as a Christian myself.
I think its amazing that people can be that rude to picket outside of a FUNERAL. Is there not a better time to do that that is more courteous to the family who just lost a loved one. Besides, if it was someone close to me that died im not even going to pay attention to what their signs have to say i would probably just hit them.
also, i think the thing about the "God Hates Fags" thing is rediculous too. If you were truly a Christian you would know that God doesn't hate, anyone or anything, and he doesn't want us to either.
Picketing at a funeral is just wrong. Why would you want to do it anyway unless you’re seriously sick in the head? There are better ways to get your thoughts heard. You don't have to put a family through heck just to prove your point. I’m sure there hurting enough as it is.
I see no reason why someone who is unrelated or not invited would be a a funeral. It's none of there business and they should not be there. uninvited and showing up is unrespectful and may become annoying to the family who is there, especially when they are picketing. I think it is very wrong.
Picketing at a funeral is very disrespectful and I cant believe anyone would do such a thing. I will admit, under the first amendment, it seems that how unimaginable this act may be picketing at a funeral is legal. I also think "godhatesfags.com" should have nothing to do with a church in any way. One of the first amendments is thou shall not hate. How can a christian hate someone else yet still call themselves a christian?
I think it's a little of both. Yes, it does involve freedom of speech but there are some scenarios when freedom of speech is limited (like at times of war, etc.). If I were part of a mourning family, I wouldn't want to see the protesters at the funeral. It's not like anyone in the family can control what the president is thinking he is doing overseas.
There is a right to free speech, however there is also a law that prevents people from infringing on another's rights. What they were doing was restricting the mourner's pursuit of happiness in having a normal, quiet funeral. Besides, how is it any of their business what a person's sexuality is? I thought one of the commandments was 'do not hate your fellow man'? God does not hate, in my opinion, and if he does then he is not a benevolent god in the first place.
that is crap they shouldnt do that. but first amendment says you can soo your always going to have that stuggle of what you can and should be aloud to do
I think that picketing at a funeral is wrong. no one has a right to be at someone else funeral if you do not know the person.
i also think it does gives other christians a bad name. i am a christian and i do not believe in homosexuality, but that dont mean i am going to hate or dislike anyone who chooses to be that way. If that is how they want to live then just let them be. it is their decision, not ours! everyone needs to just leave everyone else alone and stop making a big deal about other peoples lives!!!!
I don't think that it's right to picket at someone's funeral. How would you like it if someone was protesting at your family member's funeral. They do do give a bad name to christians. God doesn't hate the individual, God hates the action.
Wow. This is surprising. I don't think there is any justification of picketing at someone's funeral. That is one of the biggest ways to show disrespect. If people have problems with someone being a homosexual, they definitely shouldn't go to the person's funeral to protest or whatever. Sure, they have the freedom to do so, but cmon now, they should harass the person while they're still alive! just kidding. Anyway, I think this definitely puts a bad name on christians. I'm a christian and I am taught and strongly believe that God doesn't hate anyone. These people call themselves christians, yet they are saying things like "God hates fags" and whatnot.
Post a Comment
<< Home