Discussion: The Westboro Baptist Church

hippie_hunter · 10-31-2007, 08:27 PM

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.

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 ****."

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 smiles.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/law/10/31...ef=mpstoryview

Addendum · 10-31-2007, 08:30 PM

If this means they go out of business, that's a damn good thing

Captain_BluTac · 10-31-2007, 08:31 PM

its about damn time they get taken down a peg or two...million

Addendum · 10-31-2007, 08:34 PM

I don't even think those inbred idiots are thousandaires

AhabTheArab · 10-31-2007, 08:37 PM

aw man these guys made me laugh, but yea going to the funerals is a bit much.

this song is on their web page... id recommend checking it out... oh and any mods who have a problem with it just delete the post but the song is funny.

its called 'the bible says' and i think its moviefans ringtone.....
http://youtube.com/watch?v=3MRWqlf_8M8

Captain_BluTac · 10-31-2007, 08:37 PM

are u kidding did you not watch the Louis Theroux documentary last year they're one of the richest families and religions in America cus there church is small but powerful

Addendum · 10-31-2007, 08:38 PM

I've not heard of the documentary

psychocheeseman · 10-31-2007, 08:50 PM

yeah man, they've got their own law firm and a bunch of houses..

BUt not for long!

Kritish · 10-31-2007, 09:13 PM

This has made my day.

Sandman138 · 10-31-2007, 09:34 PM

Fred Phelps can never die... seriously, look at him. The man is a zombie.

Superhobo · 10-31-2007, 09:34 PM

Aaahh...success.

Sucram · 10-31-2007, 10:24 PM

Get In!

DareDemon · 10-31-2007, 10:33 PM

Thank God. And thank that Judge.

This crap has been going on too long.

bullets · 10-31-2007, 10:58 PM

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 ****."

they need to rally these people into a slaughterhouse. 10 million is alot of money but you cant fix stupid.

bored · 10-31-2007, 11:49 PM

I wonder if they are confused by not getting their way through sheer smugness.

SuperMonkey · 10-31-2007, 11:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bullets

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 ****."

they need to rally these people into a slaughterhouse. 10 million is alot of money but you cant fix stupid.

Addendum · 10-31-2007, 11:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bullets

10 million is alot of money but you cant fix stupid.

It should be spayed or neutered

Damien Rage · 11-01-2007, 06:17 AM

fred pleps should have been a bj. seriouly he is a waste of space pathetic excuse for a human being.

chamber-music · 11-01-2007, 06:24 AM

Now them getting sued truely is an act of GOD.

chamber-music · 11-01-2007, 06:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Captain_BluTac

are u kidding did you not watch the Louis Theroux documentary last year they're one of the richest families and religions in America cus there church is small but powerful

I love Louis Theroux documentary's. Also I never even realised his cousin is the actor Justin Theroux http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justin_Theroux

Damien Rage · 11-01-2007, 06:30 AM

oooh Justin Theroux is hot

PemLam · 11-01-2007, 06:50 AM

The reason they're acting so smug even with the ruling is they've already said they plan to appeal and all this has done is bring more attention to their little group. Phelps even said the judgement did nothing but "make us important".

Regardless of their attitudes, I'm glad someone finally stepped in and smacked them around a little. Now if only one of the local biker gangs that attend some of these funerals for military personnel would apply a little wall to wall counseling with them.

LexCorp · 11-01-2007, 07:03 AM

?

So many retards to wipe of the earth so little time...

chamber-music · 11-01-2007, 07:03 AM

Keith Allen (Lilly Allens Dad) also made a documentary about them.
You can watch it here on youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jt1kN6hzabc

LexCorp · 11-01-2007, 07:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chamber-music

Keith Allen (Lilly Allens Dad) also made a documentary about them.
You can watch it here on youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jt1kN6hzabc

Oh for ****s sake!

10-31-2007, 08:27 PM	#1
hippie_hunter The King is Back! SHH! Global Moderator Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Titanium Groceries Posts: 49,983	Discussion: The Westboro Baptist Church 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. 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 **." 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 smiles. http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/law/10/31...ef=mpstoryview __________________ Titanium Groceries!!!

10-31-2007, 08:30 PM	#2
Addendum Banned User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Memphis Posts: 22,139	Re: LOL at Westboro Baptist Church If this means they go out of business, that's a damn good thing

10-31-2007, 08:31 PM	#3
Captain_BluTac You Better Run Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 10,060	Re: LOL at Westboro Baptist Church its about damn time they get taken down a peg or two...million __________________ "It's called homosexual, not homo-hug-you-all."

10-31-2007, 08:34 PM	#4
Addendum Banned User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Memphis Posts: 22,139	Re: LOL at Westboro Baptist Church I don't even think those inbred idiots are thousandaires

10-31-2007, 08:37 PM	#5
AhabTheArab Side-Kick Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 1,613	Re: LOL at Westboro Baptist Church aw man these guys made me laugh, but yea going to the funerals is a bit much. this song is on their web page... id recommend checking it out... oh and any mods who have a problem with it just delete the post but the song is funny. its called 'the bible says' and i think its moviefans ringtone..... http://youtube.com/watch?v=3MRWqlf_8M8

10-31-2007, 08:38 PM	#7
Addendum Banned User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Memphis Posts: 22,139	Re: LOL at Westboro Baptist Church I've not heard of the documentary

10-31-2007, 08:50 PM	#8
psychocheeseman Side-Kick Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Sydney & Canberra, Australia! Posts: 1,528	Re: LOL at Westboro Baptist Church yeah man, they've got their own law firm and a bunch of houses.. BUt not for long!

10-31-2007, 09:13 PM	#9
Kritish Banned User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Your friendly neighborhood missile silo Posts: 21,618	Re: LOL at Westboro Baptist Church This has made my day.

10-31-2007, 09:34 PM	#10
Sandman138 Side-Kick Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: The Dreaming Posts: 11,650	Re: LOL at Westboro Baptist Church Fred Phelps can never die... seriously, look at him. The man is a zombie. __________________ We move toward a lofty ideal. On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart's desire at last, and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron. - H. L. Mencken

10-31-2007, 09:34 PM	#11
Superhobo Banned User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: McMurdo Posts: 6,255	Re: LOL at Westboro Baptist Church Aaahh...success.

10-31-2007, 10:24 PM	#12
Sucram Side-Kick Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 84	Re: LOL at Westboro Baptist Church Get In!

10-31-2007, 10:33 PM	#13
DareDemon Hi! I like shorts! Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: SexyPants Land Posts: 1,930	Re: LOL at Westboro Baptist Church Thank God. And thank that Judge. This crap has been going on too long. __________________ They're comfy and easy to wear!

10-31-2007, 10:58 PM	#14
bullets bang bang Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: in the abstract Posts: 25,293	Re: LOL at Westboro Baptist Church 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 ****." they need to rally these people into a slaughterhouse. 10 million is alot of money but you cant fix stupid.

10-31-2007, 11:49 PM	#15
bored One Sexy Lemur Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: sitting in my nowhere land Posts: 12,905	Re: LOL at Westboro Baptist Church I wonder if they are confused by not getting their way through sheer smugness. __________________ N W A O U R G D H S T Y

11-01-2007, 06:17 AM	#18
Damien Rage Side-Kick Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Roanoke, VA Posts: 299	Re: LOL at Westboro Baptist Church fred pleps should have been a bj. seriouly he is a waste of space pathetic excuse for a human being.

11-01-2007, 06:24 AM	#19
chamber-music Circle Square Triangle Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 19,055	Re: LOL at Westboro Baptist Church Now them getting sued truely is an act of GOD. __________________ By Sword, By Shadow, By Blood - The Hand

11-01-2007, 06:30 AM	#21
Damien Rage Side-Kick Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Roanoke, VA Posts: 299	Re: LOL at Westboro Baptist Church oooh Justin Theroux is hot

11-01-2007, 06:50 AM	#22
PemLam Whoa! Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 4,496	Re: LOL at Westboro Baptist Church The reason they're acting so smug even with the ruling is they've already said they plan to appeal and all this has done is bring more attention to their little group. Phelps even said the judgement did nothing but "make us important". Regardless of their attitudes, I'm glad someone finally stepped in and smacked them around a little. Now if only one of the local biker gangs that attend some of these funerals for military personnel would apply a little wall to wall counseling with them.

11-01-2007, 07:03 AM	#23
LexCorp Lex Luthor Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Earth (England-USA) Posts: 18,404	Re: LOL at Westboro Baptist Church ? So many retards to wipe of the earth so little time...

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