Commentary by
Patrick McCormick
10/08/2010
Raised in a patriotic family, I served honorably in the US military. I am also a fervent supporter of our Constitution and its “Bill of Rights”. I was raised a Christian.
I grew up believing that I had the right to life liberty and the pursuit of happiness up to the point where my activities infringed upon the rights of another. My freedom could not, and should not, interfere with their equal rights.
The Westboro case is not about free speech. The church desires to impose their religious beliefs upon another group of citizens in moments of great personal grief. They have chosen to do this during the funerals of their fallen loved ones. It is an appalling and inconsiderate gesture of hostility directed at specific families. These families have done no harm to them and have the right to grieve in peace.
The Constitution gives the Westboro Church the right to protest the war, publish their view on homosexuality and pray for God to punish anyone they choose. It does not give them the right to terrorize innocent people for any reason.
Personally, I can see great hypocrisy in their actions; they claim to be Christians. Christ taught people to love their neighbors. He cautioned against throwing the first stone. He advised us to turn the other cheek and told us not to judge. Above all, he asked us to forgive. I have to ask, “Where are the teachings of Jesus Christ in their protests”? I do not see them.
In his “Sermon on the Mount”, Jesus instructed us about proper christian conduct and false prophets. I think the Westboro Pastor has exposed his true identity.
My feelings go out to the Phelps family and all of the other grieving families this church has persecuted.
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