War in the Land of the Free

War in the Land of the Free

Debate over homosexuality and religion has become the main center of controversy across the country. People chose to express their opinions differently and it may not always be in a positive way but we are all entitled to our first amendment, the freedom of speech. Although, there is only so much the amendment can permit until it becomes a crime.

The Westboro Baptist Church, led by pastor Fred Phelps, has done exactly this by exhibiting their opinion in such a poor way and channeling their anger with extreme negative and obscene signs at grieving families during ceremonies. The Westboro members have picketed many military funerals in their I-70 GodSmack Tour to get their point across; that U.S. Deaths in Afghanistan and Iraq is our punishment for tolerance of homosexuality, abortion and divorce. They have abused their right by recklessly protesting at the funerals of our fallen soldiers and marines who risk their life fighting for my freedom as well as your freedom and this whole countries freedom. They are using aggression as a disruption of peace, intentionally inflicting emotional distress and harassing the families. Who knows, it could be your family too. They may not agree with what this country tolerates and with who obeys what they believe in but they are NOT God. We have our right to chose what we believe in and they can't force us to abide by their standards; they can only attempt to persuade us to see it their way. Honestly, I've tried to put myself in their shoes but I just can't see it in their perspective. They execute their protests in such an abhorrent way that I can't even bring myself to imagine to do such a thing to a family who is already grieving the loss of their loved one.

The Westboro Church is mainly made up of Fred Phelps extended and immediate family although some have turned away from these practices which leaves them with less than a hundred members. Wonder why? They stress that you can't preach about God and his goodness without preaching about His hatred as well and I thinks that the only thing I do agree with. But, I also agree that God is graceful and forgiving. How can someone brainwash their child with hatred and death? They truly believe that anyone who isn't a member of their church will burn in hell. They create offensive websites, videos, songs, posters and actions by also including their children and aiming it towards the public. Fully grown and "mature" adults and children as young as three-years old, hold signs with posters that read "thank God for dead soldiers, priests rape boys, fags doom nations, God is your enemy" and a lot more. What's more ridiculous is that they include a sign with an obscene illustration of two men, represented as stick figures, having sexual intercourse. They protest as if they were so righteous but what about their sins? What only

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