How is it that in our modern day Christian religion a group of religious fanatics can make the decision that what someone else believes is wrong according to their Christian bible and then in the process of condemning those with that belief, they (the condemners) break many of their own Christian bibles teachings and yet somehow can't manage to see this anti-Christian behavior in their own actions?
The anti-gay "church" is protesting outside of Oklahoma Congressman, and overall tool, Paul Westlhof's (I'm not sure if I spelled that right) church. They did this because Paul is the author of the Oklahoma Funeral Protection Act which basically would bar people from protesting at funerals. This made this "church" mad because they like to protest at the funerals of American soldiers.
This story is nuts on many different levels. 1) This "church" of hate mongers is beyond crazy. 2) Paul W's bill is unconstitutional because it specifically blocks political speech. 3) The protest brought a biker counter protest (this is not the first time that this has happened either).
So we have a "conservative" Congressman who is wanting to limit free speech and give the government more power and we have a group of nut bar’s who don't understand anything of the teachings of Jesus yet they tell people that Jesus and God hate them.
Actually the bill is not unconstitutional per se because it is not targeted towards a particular political message. If I understand the bill correctly it says protestors would have to be at least 500 ft from a funeral and would be barred from protesting any closer than 500 feet two hours before and 2 hours after the funeral. The Supreme Court has upheld similar laws under the idea that such laws would not so much 'chill' free speech as it would be a time/place/and manner restriction. For instance the S. Ct. has ruled that protesting outside court houses have to be at a particular distance and at particular times. Time/place/and manner restrictions are usually held constitutional as long as it is not directed towards a particular message and allows for a reasonable alternate time/place for the protest.
You took the words right out of my mouth! Time/place/manner restrictions are valid exercises of legislative power. As long as it doesn't single out a specific group or message to be censored (and this law applies to EVERYONE), then it should pass Constitutional scrutiny.
I, for one, applaud the law, as weird as that may sound for someone of my political ilk. I have wanted a law such as this ever since the Matthew Shepard funeral. It disgusted me to see pictures of the protestors lining the funeral procession route and the gates of the cemetary, carrying signs with such choice phrases as "God Hates Fags" and "Matthew Shepard is burning in hell!"
Anyone has the right to believe and think and even talk about whatever they wish in this country. However, I feel these people are entitled to grieve in peace. I'm sure Matthew Shepard's parents heard that their son was burning in hell enough outside of the funeral. And I'm sure the people at the funerals at which these protestors appeared will get to hear from these protestors in other forums about their views. For the few hours that these people are laying their loved ones to rest, I think they should have peace.
How is it that in our modern day Christian religion a group of religious fanatics can make the decision that what someone else believes is wrong according to their Christian bible and then in the process of condemning those with that belief, they (the condemners) break many of their own Christian bibles teachings and yet somehow can't manage to see this anti-Christian behavior in their own actions?
ReplyDeleteHippy,
ReplyDeleteDon't quite understand this news report - there are two groups yes?
One anti-Gay?
One pro US forces?
Why are they protesting outside this church?
Can someone explain for me?
The anti-gay "church" is protesting outside of Oklahoma Congressman, and overall tool, Paul Westlhof's (I'm not sure if I spelled that right) church. They did this because Paul is the author of the Oklahoma Funeral Protection Act which basically would bar people from protesting at funerals. This made this "church" mad because they like to protest at the funerals of American soldiers.
ReplyDeleteThis story is nuts on many different levels.
1) This "church" of hate mongers is beyond crazy.
2) Paul W's bill is unconstitutional because it specifically blocks political speech.
3) The protest brought a biker counter protest (this is not the first time that this has happened either).
So we have a "conservative" Congressman who is wanting to limit free speech and give the government more power and we have a group of nut bar’s who don't understand anything of the teachings of Jesus yet they tell people that Jesus and God hate them.
Does that clear things up?
Actually the bill is not unconstitutional per se because it is not targeted towards a particular political message. If I understand the bill correctly it says protestors would have to be at least 500 ft from a funeral and would be barred from protesting any closer than 500 feet two hours before and 2 hours after the funeral. The Supreme Court has upheld similar laws under the idea that such laws would not so much 'chill' free speech as it would be a time/place/and manner restriction. For instance the S. Ct. has ruled that protesting outside court houses have to be at a particular distance and at particular times. Time/place/and manner restrictions are usually held constitutional as long as it is not directed towards a particular message and allows for a reasonable alternate time/place for the protest.
ReplyDeleteJosephus,
ReplyDeleteYou took the words right out of my mouth! Time/place/manner restrictions are valid exercises of legislative power. As long as it doesn't single out a specific group or message to be censored (and this law applies to EVERYONE), then it should pass Constitutional scrutiny.
I, for one, applaud the law, as weird as that may sound for someone of my political ilk. I have wanted a law such as this ever since the Matthew Shepard funeral. It disgusted me to see pictures of the protestors lining the funeral procession route and the gates of the cemetary, carrying signs with such choice phrases as "God Hates Fags" and "Matthew Shepard is burning in hell!"
Anyone has the right to believe and think and even talk about whatever they wish in this country. However, I feel these people are entitled to grieve in peace. I'm sure Matthew Shepard's parents heard that their son was burning in hell enough outside of the funeral. And I'm sure the people at the funerals at which these protestors appeared will get to hear from these protestors in other forums about their views. For the few hours that these people are laying their loved ones to rest, I think they should have peace.
-The Hippy's Wife :)