1. Welcome to Baptist Board, a friendly forum to discuss the Baptist Faith in a friendly surrounding.

    Your voice is missing! You will need to register to get access to all the features that our community has to offer.

    We hope to see you as a part of our community soon and God Bless!

Make It Illegal to Protest at Military Funerals

Discussion in 'General Baptist Discussions' started by gb93433, Apr 9, 2010.

  1. gb93433

    gb93433 Active Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Jun 26, 2003
    Messages:
    15,549
    Likes Received:
    15
  2. NaasPreacher (C4K)

    NaasPreacher (C4K) Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 21, 2003
    Messages:
    26,806
    Likes Received:
    80
    No way. Our entire system is built on the freedom of dissent. If that becomes illegal then protesting at abortion clinics will be next.
     
    #2 NaasPreacher (C4K), Apr 9, 2010
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 9, 2010
  3. Crabtownboy

    Crabtownboy Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Feb 12, 2008
    Messages:
    18,441
    Likes Received:
    259
    Faith:
    Baptist
    You are correct.

    I feel that protests at military funerals or any other funeral for that matter are abhorrent they are the exercise of the freedom of speech and that is protected.
     
  4. rsr

    rsr <b> 7,000 posts club</b>
    Moderator

    Joined:
    Dec 11, 2001
    Messages:
    11,850
    Likes Received:
    1,084
    Faith:
    Baptist
    I must reluctantly agree with Roger.

    I find the slimy protesters rude, obnoxious and unChristian. I have attended several funerals for soldiers who died in Iraq, including a couple at which the Topeka crazies threatened to show up, and the mere announcement they would attend (I don't think they actually carried out their threat) created unnecessary heartache for the families and communities.

    That said, I am reluctant to unnecessarily restrict free speech rights, which several states already have done. (My own state, for example, prohibits picketing within 500 feet of the funeral site or cemetery an hour before or after the service.) It is bad law prompted by the unconscionable actions of a few publicity seekers.

    I would note, Roger, that the U.S. Supreme Court has declined to hear a challenge on Massachusetts' law that forbids protesters from approaching within 35 feet of an abortion clinic. Whether that will hold up when the court considers the case of the Maryland family that won a judgment against the Topeka folks remains to be seen.
     
  5. TomVols

    TomVols New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 30, 2000
    Messages:
    11,170
    Likes Received:
    0
    If the protests intrude onto private property, that's where I draw the line. private property should be just that.
     
  6. tinytim

    tinytim <img src =/tim2.jpg>

    Joined:
    Oct 31, 2003
    Messages:
    11,250
    Likes Received:
    0
  7. NaasPreacher (C4K)

    NaasPreacher (C4K) Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 21, 2003
    Messages:
    26,806
    Likes Received:
    80
    I am not necessarily a Tea Party fan, but a lot of their popularity is based on the freedom to protest. That is part of what makes America great. Infringing on that is the real beginning of a totalitarian state.

    Their actions are truly abhorrent, but denying them their right would be even more abhorrent.

    I agree on the private property issue by the way, be it private cemetery, church yard, or abortion clinic.
     
  8. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
    Administrator

    Joined:
    Apr 8, 2003
    Messages:
    38,982
    Likes Received:
    2,615
    Faith:
    Baptist
    The burial at a cementary is normally private property - thus that is one way to keep them out.

    Otherwise, I would reccommend a 1,000 foot buffer - about 3 football fields.
     
  9. NaasPreacher (C4K)

    NaasPreacher (C4K) Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 21, 2003
    Messages:
    26,806
    Likes Received:
    80
    Would you protect abortion clinics and Gay Rights parades the same way?
     
  10. Bob Alkire

    Bob Alkire New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 23, 2001
    Messages:
    3,134
    Likes Received:
    1
    Some times we see only one side of an issue.

    I'm also an advocate of private property rights. I believe all government building are open to anyone, private property, business or home or what ever is open to who ever the owner want to allow on it. The value of this was pointed out to me by Judge Leslie Isaiah Gaines from Cincinatti.

    The two could at time cause me and others problems.
     
    #10 Bob Alkire, Apr 9, 2010
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 9, 2010
  11. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
    Administrator

    Joined:
    Apr 8, 2003
    Messages:
    38,982
    Likes Received:
    2,615
    Faith:
    Baptist
    First of all, I don't know why someone would protest people who are happy. But I have no problem with a protest against the homoexu@l agenda. So that and abortion clinics, are fine to protest unless you go on private property. Keep in mind that the sidewalk is a city easement - thus public property. In addition, the protester should not interfere with someone attempting to enter their destination.
    The difference with a funeral is that it is a solemn event and should be given additional protection.
     
  12. MrJim

    MrJim New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 22, 2007
    Messages:
    354
    Likes Received:
    0
    :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:
     
  13. Dale-c

    Dale-c Active Member

    Joined:
    May 22, 2006
    Messages:
    4,145
    Likes Received:
    0
    I have to agree with ROger here as well. This cult has a right to do what they are doing and their wickedness should be combated with rational refutation, not by force.

    That said, if they infringe on private property that is another matter.

    Here is another idea, what if people who opposed what the Westboro cult do at funerals were to show up to protest the protesters.
    not in the same manner of course but to distract them, challenge them on their own sin etc. I have seen youtube videos where people have challenged these people. They don't know how to handle it.

    Laws against this behavior would probably make them protest all the more.
     
  14. NaasPreacher (C4K)

    NaasPreacher (C4K) Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 21, 2003
    Messages:
    26,806
    Likes Received:
    80
    The best solution to folks like this is to totally ignore. If they did not get a response they would not be there. If there we the only ones yelling and causing a scene it would quickly cease to be newsworthy and they go back to their family church.
     
Loading...