The Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kansas views tragedies like dead soldiers as God’s punishment for America’s tolerance of homosexuality. Because of their views. Westboro has chosen to display their opinions on posters with vulgar language at the funerals of fallen troops and other events. The church does have a right to voice their opinion through pickets, no matter how vulgar, but there is a time and a place for their voices to be heard and a funeral is not the time nor the place.

Since their inception, Westboro has conducted over 30,000 pickets. In May 2006, they were sued by Albert Snyder, the father of Lance Cpl. Mathew Snyder after they protested at his funeral on March 6, 2010. Snyder sued the pastor of the church, Fred Phelps, for his church representatives holding up signs at the funeral which said such things as “Thank God for dead soldiers” and “God hates America.” On March 8, 2010 the case Snyder v. Phelps is now a Supreme Court case revolving around the First Amendment.

400 of Westboro’s pickets have been at the funerals of fallen soldiers. This abuse to the First Amendment. And that soldiers that Westboro believes are now in hell, are the very reason that America is as free as it is. But according to Westboro they protest at the funerals because God’s wrath is abiding on this nation and he sent those troops to hell. And that the goal of their protests is to deliver a faithful message of God to a nation whose destruction is imminent. This is incredibly rude and disrespectful Soldiers and family of soldiers at FHN feel that they are abusing the First Amendment in very disrespectful way and should show restraint and more feelings towards the people who have lost someone.

The Supreme Court is scheduled to make a ruling on this case before 2011. Even though I strongly believe in the right to free speech and the believe that it is one of America’s best qualities; I am also a supporter for the thousands of men and women who support our country with their lives everyday. I think that the Supreme Court should rule that the Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, KS may continue to protest, just not at the funerals of the men and women who died for this country.

By Sidney Shelton