Huge fine for anti-gay US church

[Drone_pilot]

A church whose members cheered a soldier's death as "punishment" for
US tolerance of homosexuality has been told to pay $10.9m (£5.2m) in damages.

The Westboro Baptist Church was taken to court by the father of Lance Cpl
Matthew Snyder, a marine who died serving in Iraq in March 2006.

The church cited its constitutional right to free speech in its defence.

BBC Read More (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7072404.stm)

[03Fox2/1]

These deranged Bible-quoting anti-military, anti-gay, anti-everything nuts are the reason the Patriot Guard Riders exist. These disavowed hate-mongers are not America, they are a cancer growing within America.
Please don't think that these disturbed people represent anything or anyone else, but themselves. Here in America, there are many that take advantage of the separation of church and state and our right to free speech. The term church is used very loosely in regards to the Westboro Baptist Church. The leader of this "church" has only his immediate family and extended family as the congregation and I don't believe for a minute that their beliefs or actions are representative of any organized religion that I am aware of. If anything, I believe they are closer to a cult than to a Christian church.
What they have done is despicable and the pain and suffering that they have caused the family members of killed in action is beyond comprehension or restitution. And the insult to the memory of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our country is unforgivable.
I'm sure that their "church" will appeal the verdict and in the mean time, all assets will be liquidated and when all is said and done, Mr. Snyder will receive little or nothing of the judgement. And obviouly not any kind of public apology or retraction from these sinners. Let us hope that at least this provides a legal precedent so that these type of cases in the future can be avoided and if not, then be dealt with swiftly and expensively by the offending party.
Semper Fi

[Reloader]

Well said 03Fox2/1 - and you need not fear that anyone thinks that they are representative of the American people. Zealots such as these are everywhere and intelligent people can see them for what they are - indoctrinated and misguided with closed minds, if not also mentally deranged.

[Advisor]

As a committed follower of Jesus, I do want to state that the hate message propounded by these people has no resemblance to the Gospel preached and lived by Jesus. Any group can call itself a church but that doesn't make it a part of THE Church.
By the way, I'm a great fan of Tom Wright, Bishop of Durham..

[Hollis]

I am glad the vicitim was awarded the judgement. I sure hope that he is able to collect.

Great article to read,

Thanks.

H.

[Drone_pilot]

Please don't think that these disturbed people represent anything or anyone else, but themselves.

We dont, but these people are practicing the First Amendment, IE:"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances", But they have to remember they were given that right by members of the forces fighting and dieing to protect that right.

I just hope on the day of judgement when they stand before whatever god they worship, that they can justfiy themselves,I say this as I know of no god who is so vindictive as to condone this. :mad: