The cost of free speech, a message to the Westboro Baptist Church

The Bill of Rights did not come into existence at the behest of ignorant people who wanted to picket military funerals with anti-anything signs.  The Founding Fathers put those rights into the Constitution to protect the common man (and woman) against oppression.  Furthermore, the soldiers who have died defending this nation over the centuries did not do so lightly.  It is no small gift, the freedom we have, yet there are some in our midst who seem to treat it like garbage.

Enter the Westboro Baptist Church (WBC) protesters.  Recently the controversial group made good on their promise to protest in front of an administration building in St. Charles, Missouri, near my hometown.

From an article entitled 'Cowards, go home' Peaceful but vigorous counter-protest compels Westboro protesters to exit early:

"Nothing WBC protestors could say was audible with hundreds of counter protestors drowning out the unwelcome visitors, waving flags and shouting them down.  Military veterans, Tea Party organizations, youth groups, and ordinary citizens were on hand to greet the five or six WBC members upon their arrival.  Whatever message the WBC had planned to deliver was literally drowned out. "

This ladies and gentlemen is a fine example of honoring the meaning of our First Amendment rights.  Yes, you have the "right" technically to say a lot of things in the public arena (such is one of the beauties of our country), but the sacrifices that gave you that right also give you a certain responsibility to use it appropriately.  The truth in a quote popularized in the 2002 Spiderman movie, "Remember, with great power comes great responsibility," we would do well to acknowledge.

To the members spearheading the WBC's message of hate and slander against service men and women I have this to say, the heroes who have given you the right to stand up and say whatever (cowardly) message you want have made a sacrifice none of us will ever begin to deserve, you least of all.  You call yourselves Christians, followers of Christ, yet there is not one record in the Bible of Jesus Christ condoning your behavior.  Furthermore, it was Jesus Christ who said "Truly, I tell you whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me" (Matthew 25:40).  You may be "Christians" but you are not Christians.

A funeral, regardless of who the deceased was, is a time for mourning.  The privacy of the family and friends, and the dignity of the deceased is of the utmost importance.  It is not appropriate for complete strangers (such as the WBC and the people they've protested) to ever make slurs against these people, much less at their funeral.  Add the fact that the people in question are service men and women who've fallen in defense of this nation.  The absolute fury I feel at this is indescribable.

To the rest of America, I ask what will we do with the freedom that has come at such a dear price?  Will we use it to crucify the very people who've ensured such protection, or will we use it to honor them and live the lives they've fought to ensure us?  I only hope I can begin to live up to the great responsibility given to me, and even then I know I am indebted far beyond my ability to repay.

Respectfully,

RF