Only recently, a bizarre demonstration was made by the members of Westboro Baptist Church at the funeral services of a dead marine.
Reportedly, the members of the Westboro Baptist Church picketed the funeral of a marine who died during a military operation in Iraq. The Westboro Baptist Church goers were demonstrating against gays and lesbians by holding placards stating, ‘Thank God for dead soldiers’. The Westboro Baptist Church goers were of the view that God is punishing America for its tolerance against homosexuality.
Now imagine the whole scene; a grieved family is burying their deceased son who got killed in a war and some church goers demonstrate a protest at the funeral service with slogans, ‘You’re Going to Hell’. Now obviously the family of the deceased soldier was upset at the Westboro Baptist Church members who made the demonstration. The father of the dead marine filed a lawsuit against the members of Westboro Baptist Church for invasion of their privacy and infliction of agony and distress. The family won the suit. But an appeal court has repealed the court ruling and has ordered the family to pay Westboro Baptist Church to cover their legal charges. The case includes free-speech issues. Bloggers are now debating over the First Amendment and whether it covers such a scenario or not.
The father of the deceased marine has refused to pay any money to the Westboro Baptist Church until he hears a ruling by the Supreme Court.
Now you’ve read it all, what’s your opinion readers? Is there any problem with the right of free speech?
Anti-Gay Protests