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  #1  
Old 10-31-2007, 08:11 PM
SDG SDG is offline
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God Hates America: Anti-gay church sued for protesting funerals

Church ordered to pay $10.9 million for funeral protest


BALTIMORE, Maryland (AP) -- A grieving father won a nearly $11 million verdict Wednesday against a fundamentalist Kansas church that pickets military funerals in the belief that the war in Iraq is a punishment for the nation's tolerance of homosexuality.




A member of Westboro Baptist Church protests outside a veteran's hospital in Maywood, Illinois, in April 2006.

Albert Snyder of York, Pennsylvania, sued the Westboro Baptist Church for unspecified damages after members demonstrated at the March 2006 funeral of his son, Lance Cpl. Matthew Snyder, who was killed in Iraq.

The jury first awarded $2.9 million in compensatory damages. It returned later in the afternoon with its decision to award $6 million in punitive damages for invasion of privacy and $2 million for causing emotional distress.

U.S. District Judge Richard Bennett noted the size of the award for compensating damages "far exceeds the net worth of the defendants," according to financial statements filed with the court.

Church members routinely picket funerals of military personnel killed in Iraq and Afghanistan, carrying signs such as "Thank God for dead soldiers" and "God hates ---s."

A number of states have passed laws regarding funeral protests, and Congress has passed a law prohibiting such protests at federal cemeteries.
But the Maryland lawsuit is believed to be the first filed by the family of a fallen serviceman.

The church and three of its leaders -- the Rev. Fred Phelps and his two daughters, Shirley Phelps-Roper and Rebecca Phelps-Davis, 46 -- were found liable for invasion of privacy and intent to inflict emotional distress.

Snyder claimed the protests intruded upon what should have been a private ceremony and sullied his memory of the event.

The church members testified they are following their religious beliefs by spreading the message that the deaths of soldiers are due to the nation's tolerance of homosexuality.

Their attorneys argued in closing statements Tuesday that the burial was a public event and that even abhorrent points of view are protected by the First Amendment, which guarantees freedom of speech and religion.

The judge said the church's financial statements, sealed earlier, could be released to the plaintiffs.

Earlier, church members staged a demonstration outside the federal courthouse.

Church founder Fred Phelps held a sign reading "God is your enemy," while Shirley Phelps-Roper stood on an American flag and carried a sign that read "God hates --- enablers."

Members of the group sang "God Hates America" to the tune of "God Bless America."

Snyder sobbed when he heard the verdict, while members of the church greeted the news with tightlipped smile.
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Old 10-31-2007, 08:14 PM
Sister Truth Seeker
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My husband and I joined the Patriot Guard....it is a motorcycle club that by invitation goes to Veterans funerals to protect the family...from these creeeps....
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Old 10-31-2007, 08:20 PM
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Some "Christians", so-called, are so stupid and reproachful, it cannot be described.
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Old 10-31-2007, 08:22 PM
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Originally Posted by mfblume View Post
Some "Christians", so-called, are so stupid and reproachful, it cannot be described.
All done IN THE NAME OF TRUTH ....
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Old 10-31-2007, 08:24 PM
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mfblume mfblume is offline
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Originally Posted by Daniel Alicea View Post
All done IN THE NAME OF TRUTH ....
yeah.... (cringe, moan - sigh - moan)

God's gonna snap that stuff, if anything.
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"Many Christians do not try to understand what was written in a verse in the Bible. Instead they approach the passage to prove what they already believe."
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Old 10-31-2007, 08:31 PM
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BrotherEastman BrotherEastman is offline
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As a combat veteran that served for 14 years, I must say that I'm appalled by the acts of this church, but if I were to really pronounce my disgust, I would be accused of having a bad spirit.
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Old 10-31-2007, 08:33 PM
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As a combat veteran that served for 14 years, I must say that I'm appalled by the acts of this church, but if I were to really pronounce my disgust, I would be accused of having a bad spirit.
Thank you for your service, BE ... we owe you a great debt of gratitude.

These looneys give a black eye to the Church.
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Old 10-31-2007, 08:34 PM
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They need to be sued....right upside the head.
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Old 10-31-2007, 08:46 PM
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SO they lost the case ???

If so this is Wonderful News!!!!


Have you read his daughter's (or DIL) question and answer Blog???

Wow! it's a mess.. and a HOT Mess !
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  #10  
Old 10-31-2007, 08:52 PM
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Praxeas Praxeas is offline
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Im a little surprised though. I think if this was a jury case he might have one based on sympathy. Most people think these guys are creeps, but up until now they have been able to do what they have done because it was not illegal.

My question is this: Now that this ruling is entered into the books, what other rulings can be next against all Christians?
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