"Westboro will picket Sandy Hook Elementary School to sing praise to God for the glory of his work in executing his judgment," tweeted church spokesman Shirley Phelps-Roger. When news that Westboro Baptist Church planned to show up in Newton and shout praises for the death of those children became public knowledge the nation was outraged. A petition on the White House website was started to have the group labeled a hate group. The petition states in part "Their actions have been directed at many groups, including homosexuals, military, Jewish people and even other Christians. They pose a threat to the welfare and treatment of others and will not improve without some form of imposed regulation". Once a petition reaches 25,000 signatures the White House is required to respond to the petition. Over 260,000 people have emailed the White House in support of this action. Other petitions exist to revoke their tax-exempt status.
Westboro is infamous for protesting military and other high profile funerals or vigils spouting anti-gay rhetoric and jubilation at the death of the individual as punishment from God for the country condoning the gay lifestyle. The Supreme Court ruled the group is practicing their First Amendment right. Should the right of freedom of speech supersede the recipient's right against undo mental anguish? In response to the court ruling, President Obama signed the Honoring America's Veterans Act restricting protests to be held at least 300 feet from military funerals and prohibited two hours before or after a service.
The church is primarily composed of family members of founder Fred Phelps. They are not the first church to blame catastrophes on homosexual acceptance. Jerry Falwell blamed 9/11 on the gays. They are one of many churches with indirect political agenda. They are however, the first to celebrate the violence as retribution.
Are they the same as say the KKK. Both groups deplore a particular group. The Westboro protesters do not actually make a call for violence. A hate group is defined as an organized group or movement that advocates and practices hatred, hostility, or violence towards members of a race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation or other designated sector of society. So the debate begins, is unpopular speech hate speech? In the above definition violence is not mandated for a hate group.
Although the celebratory demeanor of the Westboro Baptist Church at the death of others is extremely unpopular, it is unlikely the President will label the church a hate group. The American public quickly organizes countermeasures to thwart the groups planned appearances. Some communities have taken actions to deter the group from returning in the future. These include unlawful actions such as slashing tires and refusing to sell them replacement tires. It is true their deplorable "dancing on babies graves" intentions cause extreme distress and mental anguish to others, the Church has not threatened violence or committed any illegal acts.
Photo source: Wikipedia
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Comments: 20
They are a hate group, and we don't need the white house to label them as such.
The idea that the WBC Cult will somehow be financially crippled or extensively penalized by taking away the tax exempt status of the Church, has no actual validity. Inasmuch, as the WBC is comprised of no more than 50 members. Therefore, there the Church has no real amount of taxable income and not worth the time and effort of the IRS to enforce taxation on the Church.
As to outside income, there is no documentation which states that the Church receives any donations whatsoever from the general public. (who would ever donate to WBC) From most reports, the WBC is noted for filing and winning lawsuits in both federal and local courts. The majority of the lawsuits being filed for violations of the WBC's and member's Constitutional rights, by either irate individuals or municiple agencies. That, would seem to be the main source by which the Church obtains the majority of it's income.
It would appear that the IRS requirement to pay taxes on lawsuit proceeds is extremely hampered with legal, albeit, questionable loop holes when the proceeds are paid to a Church it's self. Therefore collecting such taxes can be extremely hard for the IRS to accomplish. A scenario which has been a win - win situation for the WBC.
I seriously doubt that the White House is going to take a personal interest in the WBC since the pose no actual danger in their vocally expressed hate, regardless of how repugnant the cult may be.
No, they would not be the first. There have been many previous religious cults which were designated as hate groups. You will find the list by researching "Religious Hate Groups in America" with your computers search engine.