Have you ever thought something was unjust, but every one around you believed otherwise? For many years marriage was seen as a religious and legal contract between a man and a woman. However, in recent years the American population has accepted in increasing numbers the idea that homosexuality exists and is equal. Although the majority of states do not allow same-sex marriage, today there are fifteen states that allow homosexual couples the right to get married, and they also receive all the rights that a heterogeneous couple have. Even if states don’t have marriages, many states may have domestic partnerships or civil unions as alternatives. To those combating the injustice to homosexuals and those in favor of homosexual activities these civil unions and domestic partnerships aren’t enough. On the other hand, we see the stance that the Westboro Church has taken in their hatred of homosexuals. Although the majority of people are in support of gay marriage, including myself, I think it is important to understand the opposition. Therefore, I decided to write my final report on the Westboro Baptist Church and their ideologies against homosexuals, Jews, Catholics, and the military. The main focus will obviously be the church’s feelings against homosexuality because many of their rallies focus on that issue.
Who does the Westboro Baptist Church consist of? What do they believe? Well, In 1955 Fred Phelps created the Westboro Baptist Church (WBC) in Topeka, Kansas. The Westboro Baptist church follows the primitive Baptist tradition, which contains a very conservative ideology and practice. In the eyes of many people this congregation is considered extremist and labeled a cult because their idea of an injustice goes against popular beli...
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...many rallies at different synagogues and Jewish communities spelling out “God hates Jews,” “God hates Israel,” and “Jews killed Jesus.” They feel justified because they’re practicing their religious beliefs, which are protected under the free exercise clause as long as they are following city and federal laws.
In looking at the portrayal of the Westboro Baptist Church by the media, one would think they are radical extremist who are failures in getting their point across. I would consider the movement itself in trying to change policy and going against the majority as a failure, however, I believe the opposite when it comes to the use of the church’s tactics. I believe their tactics and methods of gaining attention are actually brilliant and effective. The Westboro Church knows how to be controversial and gain the media’s attention by using the right words to say.
In his article “Sacred Rite or Civil Right?” Howard Moody tackles the controversial issue of the definition of marriage and inclusion of same-sex marriage into that definition. The real issue that takes center stage is the not so clear separation between the church and the state. Moody, an ordained Baptist minister, shares his belief that it’s only a matter of time that civil law is once again redefined and homosexual marriage is recognized just as much as heterosexual marriage. The gay marriage debate he suggests isn’t focused on the relationship between such couples and is more about how to define such unions as a “marriage”. (353)
The constitutional right of gay marriage is a hot topic for debate in the United States. Currently, 37 states have legal gay marriage, while 13 states have banned gay marriage. The two essays, "What’s Wrong with Gay Marriage?" by Katha Pollitt and "Gay "Marriage": Societal Suicide" by Charles Colson provide a compare and contrast view of why gay marriage should be legal or not. Pollitt argues that gay marriage is a constitutional human right and that it should be legal, while Colson believes that gay marriage is sacrilegious act that should not be legal in the United States and that “it provides a backdrop for broken families and increases crime rates” (Colson, pg535). Both authors provide examples to support their thesis. Katha Pollitt provides more relevant data to support that gay marriage is a constitutional right and should be enacted as law in our entire country, she has a true libertarian mindset.
In order to get to know about the Westboro Baptist Church, a person needs to know a little about who they are, where they came from, and what they represent. The Westboro Baptist Church was created in 1955 by a man named Fred Phelps, in Topeka Kansas, and is considered to follow old school Baptist beliefs (God, 2011). The Westboro membership numbers less than 100 who profess to all of the teachings of the Bible, and preach against every type of sin (God). Uncommonly, the church has no known affiliation to with any other Baptist churches (Parks, 2010). The Westboro members have been known to picket at least six events a day, such as: soldier's funerals, celebrity funerals, homosexual functions, etc. (Parks, 2010).
The Westboro Baptist Church was founded by Fred Phelps in Topeka, Kansas, in 1955. The church and its members believe that God hates and punishes the United States for its tolerance of homosexuality, especially in America’s military. For over 20 years, the Westboro Baptist Church have publicized their message and frequently communicate their views by picketing, regularly at military funerals.
Fred Phelps had founded the Church during 1955 in Topeka, Kansas. The church is mostly made up family members of Fred Phelps. The Westboro Baptist Church was founded on the belief that America is doomed and God hates America. They believe this is due to America’s leniency on homosexuality in the country. They attempt to spread this message by picketing funerals, mainly those soldiers killed in action. Since their founding, they have picketed approximately 600 funerals across the country.
Besides the fact of the church lacking respect,the Westboro Baptist Church has been criticized for their abuse of their constitutional right and responsible for the families emotional distress.
They tend to have a way to justify their actions. They will use an ideology, or beliefs that what they are doing is what is morally correct, and therefore have every right to commit the acts that they do. Take Reverend Arthur Allen for example. His church, the House of Prayer, has a firm belief in corporal punishment. After a young boy complained to his teacher that he was in pain, and the teacher found welts on his body, the police and county officials began to investigate the church. However, even when the investigation was going on, the parents of the children in the congregation would not agree to stop the punishments for just two days. The children were taken away and the pastor and five of his followers were arrested on charges that they participated in the beatings of these children. This is also not a first time offense of them.
The Westboro Baptist Church started as a Non-Profit organization in 1967. They consider themselves an “old school’’ Baptist church. Their leader Fred Phelps and several of his children and dozens of his grandchildren. Appear to constitute the majority of their group members. They have no official affiliation with mainstream Baptist Organizations.
The Westboro Baptist Church is one of our nation’s most controversial churches. They argue against people for the word of God, the church holds protest against funerals, wedding, and American idols. The church is made up of over 70 people, most of them being family members. The people of the church have their morals and beliefs just like anyone does; the only difference is that their morals are just a little more aggressive than most. Some people believe the church is correct with their preaching’s, but most have the opposite opinion on the matter.
The definition of a cult, as defined by Meriam Webster, is “a small religious group that is not part of a larger and more accepted religion and that has beliefs regarded by many people as extreme or dangerous” or “a religion regarded as unorthodox or spurious” (Websters). Both definitions pertain to the Westboro Baptist Church. Even though Baptist is in their name, they are not affilitated with any Baptist denomination. The two largest Baptist demoninations, The World Baptist Alliance and the Southern Baptist Convention, have denounced the Westoboro Baptist Church (Rubics). So the WBC is not a part of a larger, more accepted religion. As to the second part of the definition, many people view the WBC as extreme. We saw society's view of the WBC in Theroux's documentary. The children did not have friends in school. Megan Phelps-Roper blatenly stated this in the film. Some kids at school specifically avoided them because of their radical beliefs. Megan tried to play it off that she did not want those kids as friends anyway because they are going to Hell, but I could see that their dislike of her and her family did affect her on some deeper level. At protests, people curse and throw trash at the WBC members. The documentary showed one of the younger boys being hit with a full cup. The adults in the church as endangering their children by having them stand on the side of the road and waving around offensive signs. Where ever the WBC protests, large counter protests emerge to show that people oppose the WBC's radical beliefs. Quite a few members of the church find the beliefs radical and that is why they leave.
"Petition urges White House to classify Westboro church as hate group." Reuters. Issues & Controversies. Facts On File News Services, 27 Dec. 2012. Web. 13 Apr. 2014.
There is a particular church that was settled in Topeka, Kansas, in 1955 called the Westboro Baptist Church that is led by Pastor Fred Phelps. They focus on preaching against the sins that this world has accepted by picketing at soldier funerals or any corner where they can profess their hate towards American and the world due to their sins (“God Hates Fags”). The world has expressed their hate towards this family and now they are called “The Most Hated Family In America” (Theroux). It easy to understand why they are the most hated family in America because they are morally incorrect according to the Christian Baptist standards.
As a United States citizen who was born in the new millennium, I was brought up with the idea that, as stated in the Declaration of Independence, “all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” This statement was one of the main sources of fuel for the Civil Rights Movements in the mid 1950’s/60’s in the United States. Minority groups have often been mistreated in the United States culminating in movements much like that of the women’s suffrage movement, civil rights movements and now a movement toward equality for the LGBTQIA. In the last few decades a new minority group, lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex and allies, and their struggle to attain their right to the pursuit of happiness. This small makes up roughly 4 percent of the US population. Though many say that gay marriage will weaken the moral foundation of our country, it should be legalized, not only because banning it is unconstitutional, but also because strips people of their human rights
In our group there is a consensusthat homosexuals should have complete equality with everyone else in this country to not only marryand engage in sexual activities, but also to raise children. This is the result of the factthat in the recent past homosexuals, as well as women, have challenged these restrictions in the courts as well as in the media. Their actions have had a tremendous effect not only on our group butalso on a vast amount of people in this country. Just twenty yearsago there would have been a much greater opposition to equality for homosexuals. Butas a result of their involvement, public awareness has been raised. This paper aims to deal with specific constitutional arguments, a number of court cases, the opinions of a few Hunter College students we talkedto, and the role that homosexuals play in the media.
In conclusion I argue that banning same-sex marriage is discriminatory. It is discriminatory because it denies homosexuals the many benefits received by heterosexual couples. The right to marriage in the United States has little to do with the religious and spiritual meaning of marriage. It has a lot to do with social justice, extending a civil right to a minority group. This is why I argue for same-sex marriage. The freedom to marry regardless of gender preference should be allowed.