Let’s be clear: The Rev. Fred Phelps may be at least partially right that the war in Iraq is God’s judgment on America for its toleration and many times endorsement of the gay agenda and lifestyle, but his rhetoric and tactics are outside the bounds of Christian decorum. No family who has lost a child while serving this country in the armed forces deserves to have the memorial for that child descrated by chants of “God Hates Fags.”
One family of a soldier fought back, bringing suit in federal court against Fred Phelps and his church, the Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kansas, a church which primarily consists of Phelps’ extended family. On Wednesday a jury awarded the family $10.9 million dollars in the suit.
As much as I believe Fred Phelps to be a despicable human being and a terrible representative of the Christian faith, what are the long time implications of this decision? Phelps has never been charged with criminal trespass. He and his followers have never physically assaulted anyone. Phelps has been penalized strictly for speech which nearly every American, regardless of creed and regardless of your personal views on homosexuality, find objectionable.
But isn’t that why we have the First Admendment to the Constitution – for cases just like this – to protect the minority from the majority, freeing them to speak their minds without fear of molestation from the tyranny of the majority? And given the fact that the viewpoint of Christians is in many cases a minority opinion in our secularized culture, is the verdict of this jury a precusor to the silencing of any speech perceived to be obectionable by the majority?
What are the free speech implications of this decision for legitimate pastors or lay Christians who lovingly confront the sin of homosexuality from their pulpits and in their workplaces? Will this decision, if allowed to stand, be the basis for similar suits against those of us who hold strong convictions about what Scripture clearly teaches about the homosexual lifestyle, infringing our right to speak what God’s word teaches?
Beyond that, what are the implications for the free speech rights of those who oppose the war generally and wish to speak out against it? There is no question in my mind that this case will eventually be overturned by a higher court. If it isn’t, we may as well just kiss the First Amendtment good-bye.
Scott, let me voice my agreement with you. Sometimes, we are our own worst enemy in the eyes of the world. We were aware of Phelps before he started showing up at military funerals – and even there it is the Patriot Guard that stood against him. (Please don’t see what follows as an endorsement or and excuse for homosexuality) Time and time again, I hear the world condemning Christians attitude toward homosexuality while often we don’t stand the same vocal ground against adultery and fornication that are no smaller sins. (Yes, I know there is not an aggressive worldwide lobby trying to promote adultery/fornication “rights” – I’m simply pointing out what the world chooses to see among us.)
Having said that, we are on a slipperly slope – look only towards the United Kingdom or Australia for the legal prohibitions against speaking out against homosexuality from the pulpit……..
this case is a grand example of “what will happen when they come for us”
had more Christians stood up and opposed phelps and his ilk when he was protesting the funerals of AIDS patients… maybe it wouldn’t have come to this point.
but, for many… he was simply making a statement about the biblical prohibition of homosexuality.
it wasn’t until these folks started protesting at the funerals of our troops did anyone care.
slippery slopes are everywhere.
Anthony S.
Thank you for the apology, however unnecessary. Your spirit is what is right about Christianity. You show a maturity that should be welcomed by all. As I pray in the mornings I’m always drawn back to a remembrance, and gratefulness, of the privilege I had of being exposed to this camp, as they were in those days. My experiences at the TBC under Dr Vick, AV, the BBF boys, and many of the Southwide Baptist Fellowship boys in their meetings, have not to this day, been equaled by the crowd that carries the banner this day. (Just a personal note, you all may disagree.) Many today criticize the altar calls and the plentiful decisions made there at, but for this man, it was the catalyst for a deep love and appreciation of the power of God. I would that God would put me back into that error, if that is what it was! Our country is getting sicker, our churches are getting weaker, and it is hard to tell the difference between a Christian and a lost person through the acceptance of much of what was once considered wordily and sinful. I have walked in the paths of sin and degradation enough to know the difference.
Thank you again for your maturity and spirit. May God grant to us all likewise.
Don Sivyer (just a sinner saved by grace)
Don, my apologies here as I may have been misunderstood, and frankly my post wasn’t clear. I agree completely with your assessment of what would be termed “fundamentalism”, and didn’t mean to categorize or stereotype.
Thank you for the correction and the opportunity to clarify.
I don’t know what’s going on in this country.
There is nothing that confuses people more than the inconsistency of the law.
I remember when some Nazis had a rally in Chicago. The place they chose to rally was a predominant Jewish neighborhood. It was all cover under the First Amendment.
As for the “Rev.” Fred Phelps, there’s not a lot to say, just that he definetly does not represent me. And he definetly does not represent the true Christians.
The problem, however, is that we have to be more aggressive in condemning these acts. The other churches in the area should go where these people go and raise up different banners.
This is not about what people think; it is about what God thinks when His name is being associated with these lunatics and we sit and do nothing about it. This almost reminds me of David when he sees Goliath blaspheming. He is ready to fight. What are we going to do? Hide behind our keyboards?
I think every time there is a challenge to free speech, we air these same fears. It is certainly something to be afraid of. But I don’t think we need to go so far as to say that if this particular case is not overturned by a higher court, we might as well kiss the First Amendment goodbye.
A more rational view is to carefully follow these cases involving First Amendment rights, and discern the real threats to valid speech from the desire to stop twisted, demented hate-mongers. Since so many have obviously identified Phelps with the former category, we as a nation already have a clear definition of what is unacceptable in our society. We just need to stay alert and active in this issue, rather than making a blanket statement that free speech is dead.
To equate this church with the entire fundamentalists movement is akin to comparing the Muslim faith as equal to the Christian faith. Many, if not most of todays conservative Christian community, owe their roots to this movement, and may God bless anyone who still has the guts to stand on a street corner, or go door to door and witness of the saving grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. Too broad a brush stroke for me. With that being said, I offer this bit of wisdom for our consumption:
But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.
Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.
I had the same reaction when I saw this story almost celebrated on Fox News this morning. This is a very slippery slope. To paraphrase John Piper’s blog yesterday, while we may disagree with fundamentalists on a host of issues, they serve as a reminder of what steadfast devotion to your beliefs truly is. God help us all when the standard which has been applied by this jury, is applied to anyone who may witness on a street corner, or door to door..