Freedom of Speech is a right that we value deeply as Americans. Recently however, a religious organization called the Westboro Baptist Church headed by Pastor Fred Phelps, has caught the attention of the nation leaving everyone questioning whether or not there should be limits to Free Speech. The members of this church have been around for a while. As a matter of fact, I introduced them to some of my classes almost two years ago. They are known for staging pickets with signs that say things like: "God Hates Fags," "Thank God for 911," and "Thank God For Dead Soldiers" and the name of their website (which I might add is a professionally designed looking website) is GodHatesAmerica.com.
Protesting and picketing is an American democratic tradition. However, should restrictions be put into place that would bar or ban groups such as this one from picketing at a soldiers funeral? It is the belief of the members of this "church" that God is punishing America and its citizens for all of its sins and that the soldiers dying in Iraq and in Afghanistan as a result of the war are God's punishment for....well, let me just cite what they claim:
"America was duped into the Iraq/Afghanistan war! Thank God for dead soldiers!
Hell has room for all of your soldiers, America! George Bush has been suckered into a bloody, senseless war that he can’t win by a God determined to execute vengeful justice on a disobedient nation. Now Obama is going to continue that trend! You hate your children, raising them for the devil and hell, teaching them to murder their unborn babies, eat feces, and practice every form of sexual perversion the dark mind of man can create. You cannot silence the preaching at their funerals, and if you had half a brain, you’d embrace it as the only truth of God you’ve ever heard. Number who have entered hell as punishment for your sins: 4,207 WBC Prays for it to be All Service Members!
“Though they bring up their children, yet will I bereave them, that there shall not be a man left: yea, woe also to them when I depart from them!” Hosea 9:10." (godhatesamerica.com)
The claim behind everything the WBC does is that we are all sinners and because we do not follow the word of the lord and respect the word of the lord, we are all going to go to Hell. You can not obey the word of the Lord and be tolerant of sin. This is a hypocrisy according to the WBC. Their biggest target is the gay community. If you're a "fag" (as they like to refer to gays) then you are going to hell and if you are a "fag lover" then you are going to hell. And all the bad things that are happening in the world are a result of our sins and God punishing us and we must accept our fate as such. Oh, and if you don't believe in God, don't think you're exempt, apparently you're still going to Hell.
Watch this video posted on Newsweek (click here) and hear for yourself what the Pastor has to say and how he supports his claim. Can you pinpoint what his support is and determine the strength of his support? Are his claims valid? Why is it so difficult for people to be persuaded by his claim? Does this seem like a cult? If so, what defines a cult? What are your thoughts on their picketing at soldiers funerals? What should the Supreme Court do? Is there a fine line to Free Speech? If we impose limits due to this, would you be comfortable with that? Is this a form of hate crime? What is a hate crime? What does it take to qualify as a hate crime?
Class, this post will be worth two grades; therefore, engage in a critical discussion about this topic. Be sure to formulate an argument that utilizes the rhetorical appeals (ethos, logos, and pathos). Establish your credibility, use support and appeal to your audience's emotions. Don't allow yourself to get carried away solely by emotions. Do not make broad generalizations and do not assume anything. You know what happens when you assume right? (in case you don't: you make an ass out of you and me).
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