Again: One of the zillions reasons I could never become a Christian? I don’t join hate groups.

Fred Phelps scares me more than the KKK at times because I’m not sure when he’s going to go off or why. I truly hope he’s the worst of the, and I use the term loosely, Christian religious fanatics.

What?!?

What this church does is horrible. But the message to stop spouting nonsense should come from society, it shouldn’t be enforced by the courts.

Past that, how is one family’s grief worth $2.9M?

This family is getting 2.9 million dollars not because their song died, but because they had to listen to how one small church hates America? Why is that worth 2.9 million dollars?

This jury is a bunch of nut-cases. Congrats, you’ve just set the legal precedent for Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress (admittedly to many families) at several eight million dollars.

How many other vague laws can we use to throw piles of money at people?

Does this mean that everyone speaking up in favor of Evolution owes the Theists a shit-ton of money too? No doubt the truth is worth tons more “emotional distress” than some family (that everyone knows is crazy) yelling their heads off.

And although they like to take scriptures out of context to spread their hate, it is not the message that authentic followers of Jesus believe.

Authentic followers of Jesus, not just word spouting Christians despise this type of self righteous behavior.

As a Marine and authentic follower of Jesus (some call Christians) I want to apologize for these actions.

Although some may wonder if one families grief is worth the judgment amount, it does send a solid message.

And, I really don’t think the first amendment covers actions of such hate.

I think both authentic believers and authentic atheists can agree hate of any kind should not be condoned.

And I hope we can come together to fight against such actions.

Never Give Up,

Troy

This would seem to put the shoe on the other foot.

Good luck on collecting any of the money.

admittedly, I don’t know how mr phelps comes by whatever money he has, but I doubt that it can be any more than loosely described as “earning” it.

So they are nutcases and their street theater is awful. Free speech means you have the right to express your opinions in public places.

Did they threaten anyone with anything other than hellfire and damnation?

“defamation, invasion of privacy and intentional infliction of emotional distress.”

What a bunch of crap. This sounds like what O’Reilly, Hannity, and such complain about nightly about Liberals on Fox Newsiness.

If this decision stands, we’re in trouble.

This is not a Free Speech Issue

This is a right for a family to bury one of its members without a club interfering in that very personnel event…

Free Speech does not give a right for a group to disparage an individual….in this case a dead individual because this guy followed rules and regulations prescribed by his government….

This group of retards can certainly exercise their 1st amendment rights as long as it does not interfere with individual citizens rights….these fuck heads need to peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances….not go to private gatherings that are personnel…

hope I made my point clearly…not sure I did

peace

And although they like to take scriptures out of context to spread their hate, it is not the message that authentic followers of Jesus believe.
The Bible is pretty clear when it condemns homosexuality. I think they’re stretching it a bit to say that there’s a clear line between homosexuality and Bad Things, but they’re not stretching the scriptures any more than a Christian who believes that The Bible only teaches peace.

The Bible teaches both, it’s up to the nature of the person interpreting it to read what they want to read.

Asserting that they aren’t real Christians is the No True Scotsman fallacy. It’s simply not true. If you believe Jesus Christ is your personal savior, then you’re a Christian, no matter how you behave.

Moderate Christians (like yourself) need to stop apologizing for the hateful rhetoric that the insane Christians spew. Tell them off, teach them they’re wrong. Don’t protect them from criticism by apologizing for them.

Charlie and Troy,
This is absolutely a free speech issue. There is nothing illegal or wrong about hating the dead. You could certainly make a case for being a loud public nuisance, and in that you have a good point. They should be forced to assembly quietly.

But the law they used to demand money from these fools has nothing to do with peaceable assembly. It’s stated quite clearly that they’re being forced to pay up for “Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress.”

Case in point:
“Fuck Jerry Falwell. I think he was a horrible person.” – Me.

Should I be prosecuted for that?

The Westboro Baptist Church is being prosecuted for exactly the same thing that I just did.

If the case had read “being a public nuisance” I wouldn’t be railing against it so much.