Please excuse this late post, I was on Kairos :)
This week I found a current even that has to do with the protection and violation of the first Amendment of the Constitution. A Kansas church was preaching that U.S. combat deaths in Iraq are God’s just punishment for America’s tolerance of gays and lesbians. A federal jury in Baltimore ordered Westboro Baptist Church to pay $11 million in damages to the family of a Marine killed in Iraq. Members of the church had picketed outside of the funeral of a soldier carrying offensive signs that read “Fag troops” and “God hates you”. The jury found that the protestors were liable for invasion of privacy and intentional infliction of emotional distress. This ruling does not conflict with the first amendment because it does not require anyone to put up with intentional insults or trespassing on private property.
The family of the soldier did have the right to collect damages from the church because they were trespassing on a private ceremony and stating things that they knew would intentionally harm other people. It is one thing to have a different view from others around you and express it. But to provoke others with your beliefs at inappropriate times, such as a funeral, should not be allowed. People use the first amendment as an excuse to say whatever they want and cause offense to others, but a line should be drawn of when it’s not appropriate to make these kinds of comments.
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I think that lately too many people have been taking advantage of the idea for more freedom of speech because people have continuoulsy tried to not only express themselves but push their ideas on others. They, the ones who push their ideas on others, should be the one with the open minds because they are not open enough to listen to others rather, just have the world think what they think. Funerals and other such important events are especially important because they are already emotional for people.
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