Washington (CNN) — A Kansas church known for its angry, anti-gay protests at funerals of U.S. troops won an appeal Wednesday at the Supreme Court in a case testing the competing constitutional rights of free speech and privacy.
In an 8-1 ruling, the justices said that members of Westboro Baptist Church had a right to promote what they call a broad-based message on public matters such as wars. The father of a fallen Marine had sued the small church, saying those protests amounted to targeted harassment and an intentional infliction of emotional distress.
“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,” Chief Justice John Roberts wrote for the majority.
At issue was a delicate test between the privacy rights of grieving families and the free speech rights of demonstrators, however disturbing and provocative their message. Several states have attempted to impose specific limits on when and where the church members can protest.
The church, led by pastor Fred Phelps, believes God is punishing the United States for “the sin of homosexuality” through events including soldiers’ deaths. Members have traveled the country shouting at grieving families at funerals and displaying such signs as “Thank God for dead soldiers,” “God blew up the troops” and “AIDS cures fags.”
Read the rest: Anti Gay Protest
People, people I cannot believe our government has approved such atrocious and evil behavior! I cannot imagine having to endure this at my child’s funeral. What have we become?? This is NOT Christianity, this is NOT what the first amendment is about – this is not even human! A funeral is not a place of protest!
How is it that pastors who rightfully and lovingly warn against the sin of homosexuality and its consequences in their churches are being silenced, yet this obviously outright hate speech is allowed to take place? I thought we honored fallen soldiers for selflessly giving their lives for our freedom! Some freedom!
God is not killing these soldiers, bullets are killing them. America, and it’s war-mongering and its need to control the world is what is taking the lives of our young men and women. It is not the work of our Father God! Fred Phelps and his followers do not represent Him. They represent a god of their understanding, one who is as vengeful and as hate-filled as they are – someone or some thing who is no god at all.
If God is judging gay military personnel by killing them, then what will He do with those who come in His name and misrepresent Him to the world? We are all sinners and we are all in need of repentance every day.
My heart goes out to the family members of the fallen soldiers who have endured such senseless cruelty. Sadly, we will see more of it as the meaning of our constitution is broadened by representatives who have no backbone to stand for the truth.
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. John 3:16-17
m'kayla's korner 
I could get all Wordy and talk about these people needing to re-read the chapter in Corinthians about love…
…or mention the part about Jesus telling the people, ‘Let him whose without sin cast the first stone…’
…or even mention that part about judging not lest ye be judged…
But since these guys have “discernment deficit”…let’s go with what my grandma used to say, “You can win more bees with honey than with vinegar.”
I just wish they’d quit using the “church” label because it’s causing a little tarnish there…
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Mkayla
From what I have seen of Fred Phelps, the guy is a ratbag.I think that when folks go around and declare God’s judgement on this or on that they do little more than reveal a profound sense of ignorance.On more than one occassion , the scripture tells us that judgement begins in the House of God, and that old saying about people who live in glass houses comes to mind.
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Bless you, M’Kayla, for posting this info and your comments. This story sickens me to the core. We need to remind ourselves that Jesus said many would come in His name, but He never knew them, and that we also would know His true followers by their fruit. I will be sure to pray for this unfortunate, misguided hatefilled people that THEY would repent and come to a true, saving knowledge of our Lord, Jesus Christ and what it REALLY means to represent Him!
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HI VG!
Yes, they are truly misguided!
I was just reading this. Don’t know if it applies, but it seems like it.
But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass by justice and the love of God. These you out to have done, without leaving the others undone. Luke 11:42
Some are claiming the vote is a good thing because it is respecting and protecting our freedom of speech. I don’t agree.
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Hello, thanks for your site as I have found it very useful since I have left Pentecostalism. Your post has motivated me because the issue of freedom of speech is such a difficult one. You are free to say just what you please on your blog here and that is respected. I am sure that others think that much of what you say is as equally as odious as Fred Phelps and his “God hates” mantra. We cannot have our cake and eat it too.
What is sad is that the Supreme Court could not think up a way to out maneuver both their arguments or the wording of the Constitution. But do we want them to do that? Limits upon Phelps will be limits upon all. If we want equal treatment from the law it must be consistently fought for. The Phelps totally abuse this great freedom but if we limit it in order to suppress them we will be suppressing freedom and we will all be diminished. Just writing this makes me grieve.
I am a Christian parent of a gay child and I have been through a great deal upon this issue and at some point I will share more if you are willing. J
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Hi Janet
Yes, there are several issues at work here. Maybe it would have been best if the parents were allowed their lawsuit and this had not had to go to the supreme court. Phelps and his church speaks wrongly about God and their behavior toward the family is intolerable. We cannot outlaw freedom of speech, however I don’t believe the freedom was enacted to support behavior such as this one.
Please feel free to post anytime. Thank you for your encouraging words. 🙂
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This should not even be called a church, but it is what it is and it gives Christianity a black eye and those who are trying to minister to gays and lesbians in the right way. This only serves to support the lifestyle – it backfires because it generates more tolerance for the lifestyle. Truly homosexuality is a sin, but this is not helpful. They are deceived to think that this is God’s punishment on these soldiers who gave their lives in service to their country.
Sadly, it is a fact that there are many demented people in this world, many of them claiming the name of Christ. This is only the tip of the iceberg. Others are more subtle in thier error, but it is much more damaging.
This group has been told they must stay a certain distance away from the funeral. I think this can also be determined by local law enforcement. They were even going to demonstrate at the funeral of the little girl who was shot in Tucson recently, but then backed out. That was going too far for even them, I guess.
People just need to recognize them for what they are and ignore them just as they would any evil person. The more attention they are given, the more they will continue this wicked agenda. It is shameful that they are hiding behind the right of free speech. But so do pornographers. It is a sick world. Thank God it is not my home.
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Yes, homosexuality is a sin, and so is hatred. Sometimes I think it is unfortunate that we don’t see the ground open beneath people who speak against the truth of God. But, then I need to watch my own thinking lest I become in the same situation! Hopefully this group will grow bored or have a sudden realization of the truth and stop their “protesting” before someone starts taking shots at them. A funeral is a ripe place for something like that to happen.
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Hi,
Rights and freedoms like the freedom of speech are great aspirational principles and as such I think by necessity can only be broadly defined. Strict or tight definitions bring limitations i.e. freedom up this point and no further. As a result opportunistic individuals can and will take advantage of soft edged definitions. I have come to see that nothing, no matter how inspirational, is benign. Even the best of principles contain the possibility and even the certainty of corruption and we are naive to think otherwise.
What the Bible has said about the power of the Holy Spirit for instance, once again a principle very little defined. The mess that has flowed because so many have jumped onto that one warping it just about anything they want for worldly power and sordid gain. The idea that the HS works quietly and in secret is a bonanza for the unscrupulous. I know people will scream when I say this but I think the Bible is weak in a number of ways and this is one of them.
PF
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Janet I wouldn’t say the bible is weak in the area of the Holy Spirit, or weak in any area. Rather, there have been so many lies and misconceptions taught about the Holy Spirit that it has become hard to hear the truth from the word. This is why we need to spend time studying it. There is much said about the Holy Spirit and none of it can back what goes on in charismania.
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I think we can safely say without being judgmental, that this group and its leader are not true Christians. Their fruit bears this out – they PRACTICE hatred and that is their battle cry, their banner. True believers do NOT conduct themselves in this manner and make a crusade out of hating people.
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Such a good point! I would have to agree with the fruit test.
Thanks for the clarification.
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my GOD loves me, the bible tells me so…..
my Jesus said “he who is without sin cast the first stone”…
these guys seem to be throwing an awful lot of stones to be calling themselves Christians…
…..just a thought….
love ya M’Kayla
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Hi Donna.
This group does not follow the ways of the Lord they claim to represent. Jesus told His followers if they loved Him they would do what He has said. This involves all the teachings of the word, being conformed to His likeness, putting away the sinful nature.
Thanks for reading my blog. Love you too dear!
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