The congregation of the Westboro Baptist Church travels around the country picketing the funerals of military men and woman, as well as those of homosexuals. They display posters filled with hate, and offensive messages. As families are mourning, they are being bombarded by these hate-mongers and effectively robbed of their ability to grieve in peace.

This happened to Al Snyder who, after burying his son Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Matthew Snyder, saw Westboro’s protests on the news, attacking him and the reputation of his son.

Angered, Snyder sued Mr. Phelps and his two daughters, citing invasion of privacy and intentional emotional distress.

In America, the federal court system cannot indict Mr. Fred Phelps, Ms. Shirley Phelps-Roper and Ms. Rebekah Phelps-Davis for displaying, writing or expressing offensive messages. The church’s speech, hateful and vitriolic as it is, is protected speech.

The courts cannot curb their speech on the grounds that it is offensive or vile, because that would undermine the first amendment of the Constitution — the right to free speech.

The case of Snyder vs. Phelps is a clear indication that the U.S. law cannot be the supervisory body of morality. As Americans, there needs to be an understanding that the law is not a universal standard for morality, but a tool designed to maintain justice under the construct of the Constitution.

This goes to show you that our rights to free speech don’t have many limitations. It is significant that the courts cannot stop this church –– Left to the law, and only to the law, the Westboro Baptist church can continue to act horrendously wihout being stopped.
The law of man, useful as it is for keeping order, is incapable of forcing people to do the right thing. Where there are rules, people will find a way to break them.

Where the right to free speech is given, even this so-called church will abuse the privilege.

This is disgraceful. I admonish this church to think or act before you speak. While the law allows us to speak whatever we wish, we must encourage good habits that instead allow us to speak truthfully, lovingly and gracefully.