Westboro Baptist Church v. America-Where Do You Stand?
As a writer, I appreciate and support free speech. However, as an American, I support our nation's military. As the ex-girlfriend of a sailor, friend of service members who are both enlisted and in service academies, and a citizen of this beautiful country, I like many of you, am disgusted with the Westboro Baptist "Church". These are some of the other reasons why they offend me:
1) I am the close friend of two lesbians and cousin to another.
2) I am the daughter of a (now deceased) Secret Service agent who spent five years in the Air Force and his father was a twenty-year Air Force veteran.
3) Consider my mom's side, if you will. One of my uncle's spent some time in the Marine Corps. His older brother voluntarily served two tours in Vietnam, one of the most unpopular wars in our country's history, during the Tet Offensive as a Marine. Their father was awarded a Purple Heart after serving as a Marine during World War Two.
Now can you see why I'm offended? Despite claiming nonviolent behavior, I feel that they encourage it and have no idea how anyone can protect this sort of hate speech. I am fully aware that the Westboro Baptist Church, anti-gay, white supremacy groups, and Neo-Nazi groups will criticize this piece. The truth is, I feel sorry for you. You are missing out on some great people by not giving humanity a chance.
So, here's some background for all of you about this hate group. The Westboro Baptist Church is an independent "church" known for its extreme views on homosexuality, Catholics, Hindus, Muslims, Jews, and Barack Obama. In fact, they believe Barack Obama is the Anti-Christ (literally). The Topeka-based church is well known for protesting at military funerals, funerals of AIDS victims, and desecrating the American flag. Some of the notable funerals they have picketed are the funerals of Mathew Shephard,the victim of a hate crime; Michael Jackson, and 2006 Sago Mine Disaster victims.
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