Thank God for maimed soldiers

According to www.pollingreport.com, 60 percent of American people are relatively critical about the war in Iraq, with some being in outright protest. Even though the overall stability of Iraq depends on the presence of the United States military, Americans are growing increasingly tired of a war we chose.

Since the outbreak of the war, we have seen flag burnings and public demonstrations, both of which are upheld under the constitution as an individual’s rights. Where should right of expression and free speech end? Many would argue the line should be drawn when undue harm or suffering is inflicted upon others.

Such is the case with a recent protest at the funeral of a young Marine. According to members of the Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kansas, the Iraq War dead are signs of God’s wrath on America. “Thank God for Maimed Soldiers” read one sign, “America is Doomed” read another. Such statements are in tune with those often made by the Religious Right, a conservative political entity consisting of political evangelicals such as Pat Robinson and Hal Lindsey, who both have referred to Hurricane Katrina as punishment and judgment on America from God.

The pastor of Westboro is Fred Philips, who has had the audacity to make the statement  “you can’t preach the Bible without preaching the hatred of God.” Such a statement has more in common with Radical Islam than Christianity. Is not Christianity supposed to be about love and empathy for one another? Apparently not in this case. Morbidly, more and more public protests are beginning to give way to protests at funerals, many of which have been conducted by members of the Westboro Baptist Church.

Some states have recently been debating the legitimacy of protesting at funerals, and the issue is currently up for debate in the Supreme Court. As of yet, there has been no decision on the right not to have one’s peace and mind disturbed by individuals in churches or cemeteries, however this is more than likely to soon change.

The protest at the funeral of the Marine has turned into a lawsuit that won the family of the deceased five million dollars in damages. This protest involved referring to the fallen soldier as a “faggot.” Members of the Westboro Baptist Church are also hostile to homosexuals, and tie much of their arguments to homosexuality. Being as gays are not allowed in the military, I have trouble seeing the logic in this statement.

Currently, many more similar suits are being filed, according to an article in CNN. While it can certainly be argued that America is in a time of moral debate and vicariousness, this does not give people the right to manifest their beliefs in ways that cause significant negative impacts on the families of the deceased, or the deceased themselves, in terms of their honor and dignity.

It’s one thing to be in opposition to the war, but quite another to let that turn into malice. Criticize the war, not the men and women who fight it. While the morality of war may be questionable, wars are fought for reasons, usually to protect a nation’s interests. Soldiers are simply means of achieving an end, for better or worse.