Our Voice: Protesting at funerals is indefensible
Over the course of the past five years, members of Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kan. have begun protests outside of the funerals of fallen soldiers. During these protests, members of the church can be seen holding signs which say things such as “God Hates You,” “Destruction is Imminent” and “Fags are Beasts.”
During one funeral in particular—the funeral of Cpl. Matthew Snyder in 2006—Westboro’s followers stood on streets near the location of the service, holding signs accusing Snyder of adultery and other various slanderous speech.
Because of this, Snyder’s father Albert Snyder went on to file a lawsuit against Westboro Baptist Church for the emotional harm they brought upon himself as well as his family.
The lawsuit went on to pass from court to court. As one court granted the Snyder’s with the money they asked for, an appeal would be filed on the side of the church. The case continued to make its way through the judicial system until finally reaching the end of the road at the Supreme Court. There, a verdict was granted on the side of the church, saying it would be unconstitutional to limit the speech of the church in a public place.
Chief Justice John Roberts said the verdict was done in order “to protect even harmful speech on public issues to ensure we do not stifle public debate.”
Snyder was distraught based on the verdict delivered by the Supreme Court. Outside of the court following the decision, he said: “We found out today that we can no longer bury our dead in this country with dignity.”
Margie Phelps, daughter of church founder Fred Phelps and attorney for the case, claims it was “God’s will” for the case to be ruled on the side of the church.
In an interview with Fox News anchor Chris Wallace, she stated that “our soldiers are dying for our sins,” and the disasters that continue to occur within our nation are brought on by God. She also said our nation has become too tolerant of homosexuality and divorce, and that is why they picket and protest at the funerals.
While The Colonnade will always support freedom of speech, as we would be unable to publish papers otherwise, the blatant lack of respect given to the fallen soldiers is indefensible.
The dead should be treated with respect and not slandered, especially not at their own funerals. The Westboro Baptist Church should consider the thoughts and feelings of the dead’s loved ones.
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