Speech Vs. Speech

The Westborough Baptist Church

… Ugh…

You probably know this group already. This inbred group of Christian nut jobs hates gays and anything relating to them, including the US military. Because the military defends the US and the US defends gays, God kills soldiers who fight for gays as a form of divine punishment. These people have never attended a logic class. They (and according to them, God) also hate Canada and Sweden. Sweden? What the hell did they do? And Canada for that matter?

The Supreme Court is hearing arguments about whether or not the infamous WBC has a right to shout hate filled comments at military funerals.

I think they do not have that right.

“But Josh, how can you say that they don’t have a right to be disrespectful but the mosque in NY is allowed?! They are both disrespectful!!!”

Let me explain. Islam shouldn’t be considered offensive. It is a peaceful religion manipulated by extremists. Just as much as a church shouldn’t be offensive because a few bad apples bomb abortion clinics for Jesus. (Just a side note, the official Baptist Church organization does not recognize this church as having anything to do with their religion/beliefs)

The WBC is harassing mourners at a funeral. Harassment is illegal in the US. Can I interrupt a wedding to throw venom filled insults at the priest? No. Can I call up a person I slightly dislike every day and spew mean and nasty hate-filled things to him? No. Mourners have a right to mourn in peace.

So that’s how I can reconcile two stances that appear to contradict.

I hope the Court strikes down these idiots, but I do wonder though. How can the Court define when speech is offensive and inappropriate? People will always find something to be offended about. People could be offended by the statement “I love Seinfeld”. My fear is that this decision will be interpreted to limit most forms of speech, like rational protests. Couldn’t protesting a war be offensive to the veterans serving and dying in it? Couldn’t staging a rally to support women in abusive relationships be offensive to the millions of men who suffer in an abusive relationship and are often ignored? I’m just suggesting hypothetical’s here. Don’t jump on me!

Maybe this case will end like the case on defining pornography, “I can’t define it, but I’ll know it when I see it”.