First Amendment Rights

Today, in a not so stunning move, the United States Supreme Court ruled (8-1) that the Westboro Baptist Church (Topeka, KS) is within it's First Amendment rights to protest military funerals and carry signs saying Death to Faggots, and whatnot.

First - I agree it's within their First Amendment rights. I don't agree with their protest, but, the First Amendment is there for a reason.

Second - My personal theory: I think it's within the First Amendment rights of GLBT to gather outside the Westboro Church every time they have a service and protest the church. Make some noise, do a little dance, and denounce their bigoted beliefs.

Yes, a bit extreme, but . . . shouldn't GLBT have the same rights to protest bigoted opinions? Of course, we should.

I understand that religious beliefs often conflict with justice and equality. I understand that many churches like to take the Bible out of context to justify their - allegedly - narrow minded, bigoted beliefs that would deny equality to all humans, and reinforce their own superiority (alleged, btw) complexes.

There's an old saying what's good for the goose, is good for the gander. So, I think us ganders (GLBT) need to take a page from the Westboro Baptist Church . . . and start protesting outside their church at every single service. I think the signs for the protest should be simple like . . .

Equality for All

Down with Hate, Up with Love - okay, obviously creating signs isn't my strong suit. That one made me laugh.

In the end, the way forward is often an uphill struggle, with more steps back then forwards. Yes, a bigoted Church has the right to protest military funerals and proclaim deaths to gays. But, more open-minded individuals have the same right to protest such intolerance.

Just saying . . .