The First Amendment

[DBella]

U.S. Constitution
Bill of Rights
Amendment I

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for redress of grievances.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060930/ap_on_re_us/funeral_protests;_ylt=AoWjQs3stb3ToMxDtqgOOd5vzwcF;_ylu=X3oDMTA0cDJlYmhvBHNlYwM-
Watching the news and reading the above article got me wondering how far people are willing to take that right for selfish reasons. Sure, everyone is entitled to free speech as guaranteed in the First Amendment, but does that mean we can just watonly abuse that right?

I believe that everyone has the right to speak their minds but there is also a time and place to do that and to do so without disrespecting others. I think protesting at a funeral with nasty slogans, invoking God's name maybe to justify what they're doing is right, that they are right... that's just sick.

 

[JLBats]

To me, we have to learn to dilineate better between harrassment and free speech. For instance, placing news paper ads about how the soldiers are dying... because of the homosexualshuh would be free speech. Loudly protesting the funerals of soldiers? Not so much.

 

[Morg]

I think protesting at a funeral with nasty slogans, invoking God's name maybe to justify what they're doing is right, that they are right... that's just sick.

Yep it is and wrong too, if any people show up like to any funeral I visit going be one sorry fella. If they be so shallow to dishonor the dead when the family grieving they should be either thrown in jail or have the people at the funeral give out the justice

 

[incurock31]

To me, we have to learn to dilineate better between harrassment and free speech. For instance, placing news paper ads about how the soldiers are dying... because of the homosexualshuh would be free speech. Loudly protesting the funerals of soldiers? Not so much.

Well said.

 

[terry78]

Edit

 

[terry78]

People abuse the amendments all the time. Right to bear arms is only to be used in time of war, nowadays people invoke it because they want M-16's in their root cellar or some stupid **** like that. For "hunting elk", apparantly.

 

[bored]

Having been to a funeral that the Westboro Inbred Cult (or Baptist Church, if you ask them) picketed (he wasn't remotely involved in the military, btw), and in general having seen them around Topeka for years, I've had my support of Freedom of Speech tested. There are some things that just don't qualify to me as 'free speech'. Protesting a funeral is not excersising a damn thing, it's taunting the bereaved. I tried to explain this to someone in a thread a few months back regarding the law in a state that would ban funeral protests, and he just didn't get it, which saddens me. We have free speech so that everything that needs to be said can be said, not to torment people who are already suffering.

 

[JLBats]

Having been to a funeral that the Westboro Inbred Cult (or Baptist Church, if you ask them) picketed (he wasn't remotely involved in the military, btw), and in general having seen them around Topeka for years, I've had my support of Freedom of Speech tested. There are some things that just don't qualify to me as 'free speech'. Protesting a funeral is not excersising a damn thing, it's taunting the bereaved. I tried to explain this to someone in a thread a few months back regarding the law in a state that would ban funeral protests, and he just didn't get it, which saddens me. We have free speech so that everything that needs to be said can be said, not to torment people who are already suffering.

Agreed. See, my thing is, I take no issue with them having this opinion and expressing it. What I have an issue with is the way they are expressing it, which easily borders on harrassment.

 

[Badger]

States are actually trying to pass laws against protesting at funerals. I believe Kansas has passed such a law or are very close to passing it.

But taking away freedoms, no matter how disgracefully they are used, is a very slippery slope.

With that said, I certainly support this.

 

[DBella]

bored, JLBats... You both brought up some very good points that I agree with. It's not that I've a problem with people voicing their opinions, it's the way they express it and where they express too. I thought it's universal understanding that burial grounds are sacred and making loud, angry protests, especially during a funeral... that's just profane!

 

[StorminNorman]

States are actually trying to pass laws against protesting at funerals. I believe Kansas has passed such a law or are very close to passing it.

But taking away freedoms, no matter how disgracefully they are used, is a very slippery slope.

With that said, I certainly support this.

The fact that you have to actually outlaw funeral protesting is pathetic. God Bless America

 

[DBella]

The fact that you have to actually outlaw funeral protesting is pathetic. God Bless America

I am not sure if it should be outlawed but I think people just need to learn to use discretion and know what is appropriate behavior and what is not. They can exercise their first amendment right and protest at funerals but that doesn't make it... not sickening. Just because you're exercising your right, how you exercise that right can just seem so wrong.

 

[JLBats]

Would I be able to protest churches because I don't agree with the religion in question?

Could I protest family gatherings of people I don't like?

 

[MaskedManJRK]

Having been to a funeral that the Westboro Inbred Cult (or Baptist Church, if you ask them) picketed (he wasn't remotely involved in the military, btw), and in general having seen them around Topeka for years, I've had my support of Freedom of Speech tested. There are some things that just don't qualify to me as 'free speech'. Protesting a funeral is not excersising a damn thing, it's taunting the bereaved. I tried to explain this to someone in a thread a few months back regarding the law in a state that would ban funeral protests, and he just didn't get it, which saddens me. We have free speech so that everything that needs to be said can be said, not to torment people who are already suffering.

I haven't had that happen (and I'm sorry that you had to), but I know if ass-holes like them protested the furneral of a friend or family member like that, I would probably go ballistic on them.

 

[StorminNorman]

Would I be able to protest churches because I don't agree with the religion in question?

Could I protest family gatherings of people I don't like?

I think that you would be able to protest the churches, and probably even family gatherings - however as long as you are not on the property of the groups you are protesting.

Now if you will excuse me, I think my School Board member for my district is about to sit down for dinner - JLBats has given me an idea.

 

[bored]

I haven't had that happen (and I'm sorry that you had to), but I know if ass-holes like them protested the furneral of a friend or family member like that, I would probably go ballistic on them.

I wanted to. I really wanted to.