*sigh*

[freethinkingrev]

The sad part is that I have ceased to be amazed.

http://www.postchronicle.com/news/breakingnews/article_21275851.shtml

[ladyinred]

sad, sad, sad...

[Bearnabas]

Okay, if our country doesn't do something about that, I'll throw up my hands. I know that court orders were issued toward Phelps to stay away from the funerals of servicemen. In fact, there was legislation I thought that would have been passed. This author, Stephanie, tries to come up with where the line is on free speech with regards to Fred Phelps. She says Fred is akin to shouting "fire" in a theatre. It's illegal, though a restriction on free speech. Fred shouldn't be allowed to shout things at a funeral.

http://www.progressiveu.org/190000-banning-funeral-protests-aka-fred-phelps

I want to go one further. I think of the rights of people who are attending a public event. You can't shout anything a theatre. You will be escorted out. The managers of a theatre won't put up with a heckler at the Met, would they? (Hey, Brunhilda? Where'd ya learn to sing?) And if they have the right to throw out a heckler, then shouldn't a cemetery--it is private property, owned by the funeral home, divvied out to families. Just as people can't descrate a grave without repercussions, there should be a way to stop people from desecrating a funeral.

When Jesus cleans the temple--isn't that a similar situation and proper response-- isn't the funeral such a spot where we worship, mourn those who have passed--it is a holy spot. Jesus had a rough moment with the people descrating the temple. He pushed them out. A whip, not a pistol, yes, nor a sword. But he moved them out. It's not right what they do. It's not healthy for a country to allow that. Death is sacred, and private. You should not have protesters at a funeral. Jail is not enough. Fines would be better. And they should have to pay or give up their church building. It's wrong and should be stopped. Is this a time in the bible when Jesus was not non-violent?

I hope our country doesn't allow Phelps near on the grounds of "freedom of speech." No one should protest a funeral.

[pnggrad79]

Everyone knows they are all a bunch of morons. They have cut their own throats. They are overkill and now no one takes them the least bit seriously. Do any gay rights groups ever go and just camp out on their church lawn and protest their bigotry and ignorance? I wonder what would happen if the shoe were on the other foot?:rolleyes: