When freedoms are curtailed: Verbal terrorism
by: Richard Land - Nov 6, 2007 - comments: 7
Like almost all Americans I am a firm believer in our cherished, constitutionally protected freedom of speech. The courts have always recognized that there are limits to freedom of speech, however, since no freedom is absolute.
For instance, you are not free to yell “Fire!” in a crowded theatre if there is no fire. Why? Because it will cause panic and perhaps injury to innocent people.
It is also true there is no absolute freedom when it comes to obscene speech or material. Hardcore obscenity has never been protected under the First Amendment, as numerous Supreme Court decisions eloquently attest.
Fred Phelps and his fanatical band have been practicing verbal terrorism directed at the grieving families of our brave soldiers. Phelps and his family—who comprise his Topeka, Kansas-based Westboro Baptist Church—have made it sport to picket outside funeral services and at the burials of fallen American soldiers and to mock their service and their deaths in the most cruel and disparaging ways.
For example, this statement is from Phelps’ Web site: “As long as the Lord gives us breath, and He continues to kill your G.I. Joe wannabe brat kids, we will still preach at funerals.”
Let there be no doubt. This man is not a Southern Baptist, and his “church” is not a Southern Baptist church.
News reports note the Phelps clan’s claim to have protested at thousands of events in nearly 500 cities in every state of the union during the last 17 years. As I write this, his Web site indicates his group appeared at seven funerals for U.S. servicemen on October 28 alone.
One cannot begin to imagine the increased pain and suffering that has settled in the hearts of these grieving mothers and fathers, spouses, children and siblings when this lunatic and his followers assault them with crazed speech.
In my opinion, Fred Phelps and his disciples’ grotesque assault on these bereft family members is nothing less than verbal pornography and obscenity. It is not, and should not, be protected under the First Amendment. For this group of misguided zealots to do their despicable deeds in the name of God is blasphemous.
In the settlement of a suit brought by the father of a Maryland Marine who died in Iraq, Phelps’ group was ordered to pay nearly $11 million in punitive and compensatory damages by a Baltimore jury October 31.
The U.S. District Court ruled correctly in forbidding this behavior and in assessing a significant financial judgment. I am confident the Supreme Court will uphold the lower court’s ruling.
It is past time that this maniac is prohibited from causing further pain to the families of our brave soldiers.
Further Learning
Learn more about: Faith, Pastoral Integrity, Citizenship, Persecution, Religious Liberty, War
7 comments (post your own) feed
1 On Nov 6th, 2007, at 2:46pm, Terry B wrote:
It is a sad day when someone like Fred Phelps spews his hatred for men and women who have died for the freedom he enjoys. It is even worse when he claims to be a Christian. How sad it is that it took a lawsuit to stop his vile words.
Thank you Dr. Land for addressing Faulty Fred’s Failed Faith.
2 On Nov 6th, 2007, at 3:12pm, Jay wrote:
Thank you Dr. Land for some very sharp and pointed words about these people. Calling these actions of the Westboro church verbal terrorism is a perfect description of their actions. The media likes to parade them as “Christians” and allowing them to add fuel to fire of anti-Christian biases that main stream media all ready has. As people of faith, we must be ready to denounce teachings or messages that taken biblical truths and twisted them into something they are not.
When my son-in-law was killed in Iraq in Jan 2003. These people had not been organized enough to protest at his funeral. But had they shown up with the terrorist activities, I believe that 4 generations of veterans would have had something very different so say to them.
I help support a group call the Patriot Guard. Their mission is to show respect and gratitude to our fallen warriors and their families but also to provide a soild line of flags between a greiving family and these protesters.
3 On Nov 6th, 2007, at 5:47pm, Carlos Stouffer wrote:
I can appreciate Dr. Land’s sentiment, but I would even be more enthusiastic if Dr. Land reflected some on the Bible-based anti-gayness that Phelps shares with the leadership of the Southern Baptist Convention. I aplaud the growing moderation in this leadership, but there is still much room to grow until a full embrace of Baptist gays.
4 On Nov 6th, 2007, at 8:48pm, Jennifer Hoover wrote:
I thank you for having the courage to step up and call this colt out for who they are. Myself, my husband, and two very young sons live in Topeka, KS and have to watch this excuse for a man and his followers day in and day out. It’s a sad day when a 4 year old looks at dad and asks “ daddy what does that sign mean?”. He not only pickets funerals of our fallen heros but many churches in the Topeka area as well. While I pray that the supreme court upholds the ruling, the Phelps family is comprised of lawers and are very good at getting out of trouble.
5 On Nov 6th, 2007, at 9:49pm, Vicki wrote:
I just want to say “Amen” to the previous comments. I have a son who is serving in Germany (had been in Korea for a year) and will undoubtedly have to go to the Middle East. It is because of the Truth, I can stand on the promises of God and know that my son is never alone wherever he is stationed. God is faithful.
Thank you, Jay. You and the other Patriot Riders “serve” our military families. I want you to know your son-in-law did not die in vain! And thank you to Dr. Land and so many others who pray for our military. Like Terry B. said, those brave men & women die for the rights of fanatics like Fred Phelps to speak his “verbal terrorism”. God is not mocked--what Fred Phelps sows, he will someday reap. Thank you for allowing me to express my feelings. My son is my gift to freedom. God Bless him and so many others who serve our country.
6 On Nov 7th, 2007, at 5:39pm, Robert Graham wrote:
They might have a point that the Iraq war is the start of God’s judgement on our country. I would never encourage my children to go into the military right now. We are a very sinful nation and it is getting worst. Homosexuality like it or not is winning its way into acceptance in America. Look at the abortions and even what is on television. I agree with you that picketing funerals is wrong but the message is right. I believe we will be forced to go back to our anabaptist roots soon, where we have strict separation from the state. Our main objective should be winning people to Christ. If we win enough to Christ we sill change society but we won’t change sinful America by getting into politics. I believe that if I was a young person I couldn’t fight for this sinful country. I know my time and money should go into evangelism. R. Graham
7 On Nov 11th, 2007, at 10:16pm, K S wrote:
It is true that homosexuality is a grievous sin and that it will be a sure and terrible judgement from God on our country if we do not repent as a nation for the way our culture laughs and winks at all sexual perversion. But there can be no justification for Phelps and those like him to spew their hate on grieving families.
The media lives for opportunities to portray anything having to do with “Christian Conservative” values in a bad light. Even though there is nothing “Christian” about the way this group has acted, this just gives the media that much more fuel for their fire. Fred Phelps and his followers have disgraced the name of God and all Christians everywhere.
God forgive them. Whatever penalty Phelps must pay on earth for these acts would be little compared to what God will have to say about those who abuse his name in such a way as this.I hope this man and his followers repent before it is too late.