Westboro Baptist Research Paper

The Westboro Baptists are a religious group from Topeka, Kansas. The Westboro Baptists protest at funerals, as well as many other events, with signs that say God is killing soldiers to punish America’s tolerance of homosexuals. Some of the signs are painted with hateful messages, such as “God Hates Fags” and “No Fags In Heaven”. These signs were carried in protest outside of Matthew Snyder’s funeral, a fallen soldier. His grieving father, Albert Snyder, sued Westboro Baptist church for belief in his right to mourn his son in peace, without the hateful bombardment of Westboro Baptists screaming “Thank God for Dead Soldiers”. However, the Supreme Court thought differently. In the case Snyder v. Phelps, the Supreme court ruled 8-1, in favor of Westboro Baptists. Hate speech is protected under the first amendment. Even after the ruling, Albert Snyder believes “everyone deserves to be buried in peace”. I agree with Snyder. All of my three siblings served in the military. If people protested at one of my siblings funeral, I’d be enraged. Speech with intent to physically harm people is not protected in …show more content…
In 2012, Congress passed a bill restricting the proximity and time in which protesting can occur at a military funeral. President Barack Obama supported Albert Snyder, believing “that when men and women die in the service of their country and are laid to rest, it should be done in the utmost honor and respect”. Now, during many military funerals, Westboro Baptist members are faced with many counter protesters, “shielding the mourners” of fallen soldiers. The majority of Christians do not condone the actions of the Westboro Baptist Church. Alike Muslims being associated with terrorists groups such as ISIS, Christians do not identify with the hate group, Westboro Baptist Church. It is unfair to place ugly actions of small religious groups onto an entire