Supreme Court Rules In Favor of Westboro Baptist Church
The court's ruling states that the First Amendment protects WBC's right to picket outside military funerals, even though it may cause grief for the families.
A day after local residents experienced a Westboro Baptist Church's protest, the Topeka-based church known for it's anti-homosexual stance, won their case in the U.S. Supreme Court.
According to a story in the Huffington Post, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the fundamentalist church Wednesday, stating that the First Amendment protects their right to picket outside military funerals, even though it may cause grief for the families.
Five members from Westboro Baptist Church stood outside Northwestern High School Tuesday and protested at 9 a.m. when students arrive for their school day.
Westboro protester, Jael Phelps, 26, said that they chose Northwestern because they heard that it is a large school in the area.
"It's our duty to prevent kids going to hell," Phelps said, adding that the reason they would go to hell is because America allows homosexuality.
The court voted 8-1 in favor of the church; U.S. Justice Samuel Alito was the sole dissenter. Chief Justice John Roberts wrote the opinion for the court. Their decision upheld an appeals court ruling that reversed a $5 million judgment to the father of a dead Marine, who sued Westboro church members after they protested outside his son's funeral.
Northwestern does have a JROTC program, although that wasn't the reason the church picketed. They only stayed for 30 minutes and beyond chanting and holding their signs they sang songs to the tune of Lady Gaga music, but with amended lyrics.
Hyattsville residents gathered along Adelphi Road with residents from University Park and neighboring communities and students to counter-protest. They held signs about love, equality and gay pride.
“I’m here because I’m representing all the LGBT community, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender community, against hate,” said Sierra Fenner, 18, a Northwestern senior. “Because gay people do go to church, they do worship God. God is the judge. God accepts everyone, he is forgiving, and for Westboro Church to say that … gay people go to hell – completely wrong. He accepts everyone.”
Add your photos from Tuesday's protest here.
Giovanni
10:01 pm on Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Having the right to do something doesn't necessarily make it the right thing to do. "Freedom consists not in doing whatever we like, but in having the right to do what we ought" says John Paul II. Our courts have protected evil choices in the name of "freedom" before and they will continue to do so. But evil action is not a right, it is a license because God does not give anyone the right to do evil. When your license to do something tramples on another's human rights, that is evil.
These Baptists are committing an injustice towards the deceased and their families in the name of Free Speech. To bury the dead is a corporal work of mercy, says the Church. And every human person should be given the dignity of a proper burial because they are created in the image and likeness of God. The protesters are impeding on the dignity of other human beings, which is a mortal offense against God's commandment to love our neighbor.
Though they may believe their intentions are good, "An evil action cannot be justified by reference to a good intention" says Saint Thomas Aquinas. If they had a divine moral authority outside of themselves to guide them, they might see the error of their ways. But because they only recognize man-made authorities (their pastor and the courts), their moral relativism blinds them.
Rocco
1:42 am on Thursday, March 3, 2011
When one of your family members is murdered: a group of us will be picketing outside your funeral about how much you deserved to die. Jesus Christ will agree, because you have caused more suffering than any war. Jesus will remind you how insensitive you are to life. And you will finally understand what it means to grieve, IN HELL.
Rocco
2:02 am on Thursday, March 3, 2011
Guess what? dead soldiers are a fact of life. Do you actually think you are going to change 3000 years of war? Wake up! YOU are the enemy. Most dead soldiers are 18 years old! Do you think they wanted to die? Do you think you are"superior? " You remind me of the Golden Calf worshipers. Do you really think if Jesus was alive, He would want you to disgrace life? Use your rights for politics, not funerals! What is a grieving mother going to do about the war?
Just drink your own Kool-Aid and GO BACK TO HELL! Nice try SATAN. Yes, you won in court, but is it worth eternity in HELL?
Brian Deaver
11:18 am on Friday, March 4, 2011
The reality is that those young service members died to protect those same rights that the Supreme Court just upheld, and as Giovanni so eloquently reminded, the true justice for Phelps and his followers is in the words and beliefs that they are currently twisting to their purpose.
The highest court in the United States made a ruling that is correct within their jurisdiction, the real violation falls under the realm of another judge and should be left to His authority.
Loren Petty
3:47 pm on Friday, March 4, 2011
Veterans unite and form a little meet and greet committee for the Westboro haters. We can get our own justice and share cigarettes in lockup, just like old times.