Absolute Free Speech
Do you want to know what it means to support free speech, to truly support it? You have to willing to recognize the rights of people to put forth the vilest, most inhuman ideology imaginable. And, you have to accept their right to film that hatred for distribution, as part of their attempt at spreading terror.
But at least this time, I'm not talking about a terrorist snuff film. No, to me, this is worse. This is the music video for "God Hates the World," from Westboro Baptist Church.
Here are a couple of study questions, for those who manage to sit through the entire thing.
- Do you feel this song should be protected as free speech?
- This small American cult is one of the few examples today of a faith assuming an omnipotent, evil god, a god that is not even indifferent to its creation, but actively hates it. Can you think of any other religions with a similar world view?
- In the video they use the song "We are the World," and I think it is safe to assume they don't have the permission of the rights holders. If their message is serious, then they have violated copyright; if they are indulging in parody, they are sinning against their god by making light of his message of hate. What excuse do you think they will use?
- The church is based around a law firm, and it has been suggested that all their activities are centered on provoking a violent reaction so that they can file suits and collect damages. If this is true, would you consider the implications before plowing through a group of Westies in the street?
- Bonus for those able to stomach the entire video: Should teaching that toddler to preach this message of hate be classified as child abuse?
I need to wash my mind out, and strong medicine is called for. Where's my A Charlie Brown Christmas DVD?
6 Comments:
I harbor the fantasy that the WBC is secretly a pro-gay rights group, designed to discredit the anti-gay rights movement.
As a Christian myself, I'm sickened that these people call themselves a Christian church. As a free speech zealot, I swallow hard and demand that their right to make their vile, offensive, little videos be protected. But I also think they thrive on attention, and if they stopped receiving it, they might just wither and die.
I'm with you, Tiffany, hence my refusal to link directly to their odious site.
i'm speechless, not in a good way. the ugly side of america...
Great stuff. Say--wasn't that Sen Larry Craig back there with the chorus?
It's always good when the rock gets lifted and the vermin are exposed, especially when the vermin themselves do the lifting. Put this video on MTV and let the whole world see how deranging an experience religious certainty can become.
Well I guess the small glimmer of hope here is that if God "hates the world and all her people" then these morons should be at the top of the list and hopefully will be wiped out soon.
I've seen all their crap and frankly it disgusts me. However, the idea behind free speech is that everyone gets to express themselves - even if we don't agree. They've been causing trouble for years and are more cult than church. They even have their own compound.
As you may or may not know they've taken to protesting at the funerals of returning service members and though freedom to assemble is another one of our rights, laws have been put in place to keep them x amount of feet away from the actual funerals.
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