The First Amendment
WARNING: CLICKING ON THE LINKS PROVIDED WILL EXPOSE YOU TO THE VILE TRUTH ABOUT FRED PHELPS AND THE WESTBORO BAPTIST CHURCH OF TOPEKA, KANSAS. I AM PROVIDING THE LINKS THAT YOU MAY BE FULLY AWARE OF THE DANGER OF THIS GROUP.
Since 1791, The First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America has been a zealously guarded freedom. The Amendment in its entirety reads:
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.
Although we have the right to "Free Speech" that doesn't mean we should always exercise it! A case in point is the hate-mongering pastor and congregation of the Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kansas. They have been a "burr under my saddle" for a number of years (in fact, since I first came to know of their existence in 1990). Their brand of "Free Speech" is an affront to any sensible individual.
They will bring their "traveling show" to Jacksonville, NC this Saturday (01/19/2008) and the next (01/26/2008) according to their website. They will be protesting the Marine Corps in an attempt to grab headlines due to the Marie Lauterbauch case. In a press release, they state their clear contempt of the United States and its military.
Be aware that these protesters do not represent mainstream Christianity nor most Baptists. They are a dangerous lunatic fringe which distort the truth of Scripture. Do not be deceived by these people and do not give them the publicity they crave. Instead, pray that God will thwart their evil plans and cause the harm they seek to do to be minimal.
