Petition urges White House to classify Westboro church as hate group (FBI, soldier)

[All American NYC]

More than 475,000 people have signed petitions asking the White House to crack down on Westboro Baptist Church after the group, known for holding anti-gay demonstrations at funerals, threatened to picket in Newtown, Connecticut....The Southern Poverty Law Center, a civil rights organization, has called the church "arguably the most obnoxious and rabid hate group in America" because of the anti-gay signs its members have carried at hundreds of military funerals. The protests reflect their view that God is punishing America for tolerance of gays and lesbians.

Although I do not agree with homosexuality, when they show up the burial of a fallen soldier it becomes politics. Remove the tax exempt status....seperation of church and state has been violated.

[monkeywrenching]

free speech for all or free speech for none. although it is hateful, they do have their freedom of speech.

[tluv00]

Originally Posted by monkeywrenching

free speech for all or free speech for none. although it is hateful, they do have their freedom of speech.

Except for when it violates the statute of their tax exempt status. Free speech means you are free to speak but also free to reap the consequences.

There are limitations on "free speech".

[trlhiker]

Originally Posted by tluv00

Except for when it violates the statute of their tax exempt status. Free speech means you are free to speak but also free to reap the consequences.

There are limitations on "free speech".

Good post and I agree.

[zombieApocExtraordinaire]

They deserve to have their first amendment rights protected......



.....just not with our taxpayer money. Let them show up to the events but lets not send police to keep the peace. And let the chips fall where they may be. The first amendment was never designed to protect idiots from their speech, but to protect people from government sanction due to their speech. Classifying them as a 'hate group' as chipping away at the first amendment.

[thecoalman]

Originally Posted by All American NYC

Although I do not agree with homosexuality, when they show up the burial of a fallen soldier it becomes politics. Remove the tax exempt status....seperation of church and state has been violated.

Churches are allowed to speak on issues, what they can't do is endorse political parties or candidates.

[Bulldawg82]

They are hiding behind the 501C3 tax-exemption as they are not really even a church - it is a family of wackos speaking vulgarity and quoting some bible verses. They are using a church's tax-exempt status as a front for their very social agenda. Hate-group? Absolutely.

[TrapperJohn]

They are scum. I hope an asteroid lands on their "church". Until that happens, they have as much right to free speech as you or me.

[no1brownsfan]

Originally Posted by tluv00

Except for when it violates the statute of their tax exempt status. Free speech means you are free to speak but also free to reap the consequences.

There are limitations on "free speech".

Freedom is a b*** ain't it?

Originally Posted by zombieApocExtraordinaire

They deserve to have their first amendment rights protected......



.....just not with our taxpayer money. Let them show up to the events but lets not send police to keep the peace. And let the chips fall where they may be. The first amendment was never designed to protect idiots from their speech, but to protect people from government sanction due to their speech. Classifying them as a 'hate group' as chipping away at the first amendment.

That would be a sight. No protection from the police to spew their crap! I'd pull myself up a chair, grab my popcorn!

Originally Posted by TrapperJohn

They are scum. I hope an asteroid lands on their "church". Until that happens, they have as much right to free speech as you or me.

Agreed.

[LAWS]

Sure, but re-classify the army, navy, air force, CIA, FBI as hate groups first...

actual lethal hate groups.