Please watch the video https://youtu.be/0meqcKTAcMU , Write 4-5 sentences and help me to answer on the discussion question:
Should the Westboro Baptist Church be permitted to engage in this form of speech at such private and intimate moments for families that lost a loved one in combat?
You don’t necessarily have to agree with the decision of the U.S. Supreme Court.
In the article, we learn that the Supreme Court ruled that the First Amendment protects groups that organize anti-gay protests outside military funerals. Recently, The Westboro Baptist Church based in Topeka, Kansas, received media attention for actively attending military funerals for U.S. soldiers that were killed in action in order to express their views.
The Westboro Baptist Church (WBC) is an independent Baptist church known for its extreme stance against homosexuality and its protest activities, which include picketing at funerals for fallen members of our military and desecrating the American flag. The church is described by many as a hate group. In addition to anti-gay protests at military funerals, the organization pickets other celebrity funerals that are likely to get it media attention.
As they have at hundreds of funerals, the Westboro members hold signs with provocative messages, including “Thank God for dead soldiers,” `’You’re Going to Hell,” `’God Hates the USA/Thank God for 9/11,” and one that combined the U.S. Marine Corps motto, Semper Fi, with a slur against gay men.
2. Please write 2-3 sentences as a response on two following discussions:
1. This video left me speechless, can’t believe how brainwashed these people are. I am obviously against their message, but unfortunately, I do believe they have the right to spread their dirt. They are practicing their “freedom of speech” which allows them to express their opinion. If we silence these ignorant people, we will also silence all other minorities. This would prevent the LGBTQ community and other groups from getting their civil rights.
2. This is disgusting. I am baffled that these people think this is ok. They are disrespecting the deceased, and the deceased friends and family. I understand that the funeral was public but still, where is their sympathy or their morals. They claim to be spreading the word of God but it looks like they’re spreading hate. Hate speech, hateful conduct, bias behavior, etc. However, this is just my opinion. They have every right to exercise the first amendment. Freedom of speech. Free expression. They aren’t breaking any laws but in my opinion, this is just shameful.
Telling people that it’s too late to pray and they are going to hell. How is that ok?! The poor children are being raised into bigotry, homophobia, discrimination, & propensity. Shameful behavior. To protest at someone’s funeral, kicking the same flag that these people bury their loved ones with. I hope they win the law suit. Once again, my opinion.
