the phelps gang lost the suit!

[RamboPreacher]

http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/law/10/31/fu ... index.html

on other forums I participate, the anti-religious are now saying that this is setting a precedent and that soon they will be able to sue anyone that "preaches" anything that they don't want to hear. here is a quote from another forum - not anyone here, obviously, but just as an FYI for further discussion:

...one step twords ending ALL religion in the US Now, when someone "preaches" there is legal ground to sue them for mental harassment and damages. This makes for a powerful tool that we, who stand for science and fact not faith in the unprovable, can use to protect ourselves from the religious zealots of this country.

[dbserv]

http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/law/10/31/funeral.protests.ap/index.html

on other forums I participate, the anti-religious are now saying that this is setting a precedent and that soon they will be able to sue anyone that "preaches" anything that they don't want to hear. here is a quote from another forum - not anyone here, obviously, but just as an FYI for further discussion:

...one step twords ending ALL religion in the US Now, when someone "preaches" there is legal ground to sue them for mental harassment and damages. This makes for a powerful tool that we, who stand for science and fact not faith in the unprovable, can use to protect ourselves from the religious zealots of this country.

Come quickly Lord Jesus!!!

[RamboPreacher]

couldn't agree with you more.

i personally think it is a huge "leap of faith" to say that a suit like this is essentially catalyst to ridding America of all religion. That doesn't mean I don't think that some may try to use it as a precedent, especially as it completes the process and their church may go under and their "ministry" discontinue. 11megabucks is a lot of money for any church, let alone a small one from the Midwest.

[Pastor Gary]

Except that Phelps et al didn't lose a suit for preaching anything. They lost a suit for harrassing a family funeral and being obnoxiously loud and public with their views.

This is not, to me, a slippery slope toward silencing religious voices, but a blow for sanity and civility.

If Phelps and family had stayed in their "church" and spouted their hateful views, they would have been left alone and ignored, and would not be facing an $11 Million+ judgement.

(For the record: I am against hate. I am equally against any laws that designate any crime as a "hate crime.")

[soulsearcher]

Except that Phelps et al didn't lose a suit for preaching anything. They lost a suit for harrassing a family funeral and being obnoxiously loud and public with their views.

This is not, to me, a slippery slope toward silencing religious voices, but a blow for sanity and civility.

If Phelps and family had stayed in their "church" and spouted their hateful views, they would have been left alone and ignored, and would not be facing an $11 Million+ judgement.

(For the record: I am against hate. I am equally against any laws that designate any crime as a "hate crime.")

Gawwwwwwshhhh Geeeeeeeeee, PG, you clean up real good for an old Alabama boy.

[RamboPreacher]

...
This is not, to me, a slippery slope toward silencing religious voices, but a blow for sanity and civility....

exactly my thoughts. There aer many, non or anti-religious people, though that don't see it that way. it is weird to me since it is obvious (to me), that this wasn't about preaching or open air evangelism/ministry at all.

[Gerald Creasy]

Did anyone see the fox news exchange between Julie Banderas (my favorite Newsbabe) and some long unwashed hair female representative of the church???

I've never seen an anchor person lose it with an interviewee. I tuned in just as the Westboro "Christian" woman was calling Julie a "Bimbo" and Ms. Banderas shouting that her church was an "Abomination"

Hey Look someones put it up on Youtube!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3PyoUPcobA

[dalebert]

WOW!!!...i dont have any words to say after watching that....!!!

[Mike Vande]

I shut it off before the end; made me feel a little bit sick.

[Jennifer Smith]

That was truly amazing.

I am very glad about the law suit.