ipl-logo

First Amendment Rights: The Westboro Baptist Church

355 Words2 Pages
First Amendment rights are guaranteed to all American citizens, but current free speech issues are testing Constitutional boundaries. Where must the line be drawn between free speech and infringement upon others’ rights? Is there some speech so cruel and so appalling that it does not merit protection? These issues have been raised by the recent activities of the Westboro Baptist Church. Based out of Topeka, Kansas[1], this small group of radicals is marked by their hateful views and their contempt for homosexuality. The Westboro Baptist Church has gained notoriety and sparked national outrage with their offensive acts, particularly by protesting the funerals of fallen soldiers. However, despite the distasteful nature of the Church’s
Show More
Related
1138 Words | 5 Pages

While in the Court of Appeals, Phelps’s argument was that the First Amendment protected their judgment. Court of Appeals agreed to Westboro’s primary argument that the church was entitled to judgment as a matter of law because the First Amendment protects Westboro’s speech. The Court says the picket signs were also protected under the First Amendment, because the statements deal with public concern. The jury could not find Westboro

Read More
1331 Words | 6 Pages

“By the mid nineties, the issue couldn’t exclude religious speakers from the list” The new look of religious cases allowed for people to go against the law of religious freedom. - pg 113 “But the stat denied a request heightened the differences between them.” The law of freedom of speech works for many terrible groups of people, making them question if they are actually doing the right thing. Support:

Read More
545 Words | 3 Pages

The Fourth Circuit contradicted the District Courts, concluding that Westboro’s statements were entitled to First Amendment protections on religious expression because those statements were on matters of public concern, were not provably false, and were expressed

Read More
547 Words | 3 Pages

The Free Speech Coalition claims that these prohibitions are overbroad and vague and,

Read More
882 Words | 4 Pages

It can stir people to action, move them to tears of both joy and sorrow, and – as it did here – inflict great pain. On the facts before us, we cannot react to that pain by punishing the speaker,’ Roberts said.” This shows how as a father, Albert Snyder must have felt devastated because of the actions of the Westboro Baptist Church. In the end, the Phelpses actually ended up winning this case because of the 1st Amendment which states, “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.” This means that the Phelpses had the right to protest at his son’s funeral which is why they won the case against Albert

Read More
103 Words | 1 Pages

People have the tendency to take the First Amendment for granted, but some tend to use it to their favor. Stanley Fish presents his main argument about how people misuse this amendment for all their conflicts involving from racial issues to current political affairs in his article, Free-Speech Follies. His article involves those who misinterpret the First Amendment as their own works or constantly use it as an excuse to express their attitudes and desires about a certain subject matter. He expresses his personal opinions against those who consistently use the First Amendment as a weapon to defend themselves from harm of criticism.

Read More
967 Words | 4 Pages

Derek Bok and Charles Lawrence both write about free speech and its effect on the community. In “Protecting Freedom of Expression on the Campus”, Derek Bok poses a discussion for the changing rules on a school campus in an effort to combat racist speech. Charles Lawrence’s article, “On Racist Speech” presents a detailed view on the history, effect and how to fix racist speech rather than give away control. In comparison, both articles broach the subject of racist speech, but Bok’s uses weak reasoning and analysis, whereas Lawrence's use of inductive and deductive reasoning, rhetorical appeals and fallacies make his the stronger article. David Bok’s reasoning for how racist speech can be solved is flawed.

Read More
566 Words | 3 Pages

The first amendment states that “Congress cannot enact laws limiting ”the freedom of speech or press.”’ (Kentucky Resolutions) Again, in short, this amendment is saying that the federal government is not able to pass a law that takes away someone’s right to speak their opinion. Contrary to this amendment, the Federal government did exactly the opposite of what the amendment said was allowed. The acts, passed by John Adams, take away the human right of speaking what is on the mind and using what they say to show them off as a threat.

Read More
507 Words | 3 Pages

Free speech is often a topic of debate in our society. Whether it is political debate between politicians, banter between friends, or a discussion amongst colleagues, most Americans in today’s society often concern themselves with free speech. In the article, “Should Neo-Nazis be Allowed Free Speech,” author Thane Rosenbaum makes a claim that free speech can have consequences. The author’s points and pleas would most likely appeal to those concerned with how free speech may affect those around them. In order to allow the reader a glance into his thought process Rosenbaum makes an appeal to pathos, logos, and uses anecdotal evidence.

Read More
1756 Words | 8 Pages

Lisa Simpson’s website, its creation and the ensuing reactions, raises several first amendment issues. The first issues focuses on the website itself, and subsequent suppression of the site. Lisa’s sight was shut down because of content and apparent community values which action raises serious free speech concerns. This leads into the picketing from the parents who argue that the website should not be visible to their children. With the website being shut down, a protest arises between Lisa and an anti-gay group who make many inflammatory remarks concerning the opposing side’s sexual orientation as well as the talks of burning an effigy of a person with the word “faggot” written across its chest.

Read More
564 Words | 3 Pages

The chapter “How to Tell a True War Story” in the novel The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien main focus is that in war stories, not everything is accurately told or explained. But even with this, the feelings of the soldiers can still be completely true. A surreal story is when a story is exaggerated or is not completely true, to express the true feelings that went on in the story. On pages 74 to 76, the narrator tells about an incident with a baby VC water buffalo and the soldier Rat Kiley . At first Rat Kiley took care of the animal by trying to feed it and being kind to it, but the buffalo would not eat any of the C rations.

Read More
865 Words | 4 Pages

Censorship of The First Amendment This paper will discuss how censorship denies citizens of the United States our full rights as delineated in the First Amendment. It will outline how and why the first amendment was created and included in the Constitution of the United States of America. This paper will also define censorship, discuss a select few legal cases surrounding freedom of speech and censorship as well as provide national and local examples of censorship.

Read More
707 Words | 3 Pages

The First Amendment aims to protect the right of freedom of religion and the right of freedom of expression of all United States citizens. However, Lawrence states “The Supreme Court has held that words that ‘by their very utterance inflict injury or intend to incite an immediate breach of the peace’ are not constitutionally protected.” (Lawrence, pg 175) The First Amendment does not protect speech that maintains a sole purpose to inflict harm on other people. “Racial insults are undeserving for First Amendment protection because the perpetrator’s intention is not to discover truth or initiate dialogue, but to injure the victim” (Lawrence, pg 175)

Read More
913 Words | 4 Pages

In “Shut up and Play Nice: How The Western World is limiting Free Speech,” comedian Guy Earle was charged with violating the human rights of a lesbian couple after he got into a trash talking session with a group of women during an open mike night at a nightclub. Lorna Pardy said she suffered post-traumatic stress because of Earle’s profane language and derogatory terms for lesbians. (Turley 162) When an individual has a different view and opinion on what they see or hear and express their opinion freely it could hurt people’s feelings. Some individuals take their opinion too far and use their free speech too freely sometimes.

Read More
905 Words | 4 Pages

The idea of free speech on college campuses and the complications of it stem from those on campuses expressing views that don’t align with popular views. Implications for students who use the idea of free speech as a method for hateful actions and comments should be reprimanded, but the question remains as to whether schools should enforce tougher limitations. The freedom of speech on college campus expands to the freedoms of religion, assembly, press, and protest as well. Freedom of expression allows students to show their own political, social, and cultural views. Removing freedoms of speech and expression have consequences deeper than surface issues.

Read More

More about First Amendment Rights: The Westboro Baptist Church

Related Topics

Open Document