Cross-Post--feeling unloved

Someone on the DS board (which has, by the way, been very accepting of me and I am open to them there, posted this news article: Jury awards father $11M in funeral case By ALEX DOMINGUEZ, Associated Press Writer 1 hour, 19 minutes ago BALTIMORE - A grieving father won a nearly $11 million verdict Wednesday against a fundamentalist Kansas church that pickets military funerals out of a belief that the war in Iraq is a punishment for the nation's tolerance of homosexuality. Albert Snyder of York, Pa., sued the Westboro Baptist Church for unspecified damages after members demonstrated at the March 2006 funeral of his son, Marine Lance Cpl. Matthew Snyder, who was killed in Iraq. The federal jury first awarded $2.9 million in compensatory damages. It returned in the afternoon with its decision to award $6 million in punitive damages for invasion of privacy and $2 million for causing emotional distress. Snyder's attorney, Craig Trebil**** had urged jurors to determine an amount "that says don't do this in Maryland again. Do not bring your circus of hate to Maryland again." The defense said it planned to appeal, and one of the church's leaders, Shirley Phelps-Roper, said the members would continue to picket military funerals. "Absolutely; don't you understand this was an act in futility?" Phelps-Roper said. Church members routinely picket funerals of military personnel killed in Iraq and Afghanistan, carrying signs such as "Thank God for dead soldiers" and "God hates ****" Snyder claimed the protests intruded upon what should have been a private ceremony and sullied his memory of the event. The church members testified they are following their religious beliefs by spreading the message that soldiers are dying because the nation is too tolerant of homosexuality. Their attorneys maintained in closing arguments Tuesday that the burial was a public event and that even abhorrent points of view are protected by the First Amendment, which guarantees freedom of speech and religion. A number of states have passed laws regarding funeral protests, and Congress has passed a law prohibiting such protests at federal cemeteries. But the Maryland lawsuit is believed to be the first filed by the family of a fallen serviceman. The church and three of its leaders -- Fred Phelps and his two daughters, Phelps-Roper and Rebekah Phelps-Davis, 46 -- were found liable for invasion of privacy and intent to inflict emotional distress. The group is confident the award will be overturned on appeal, Phelps said "Oh, it will take about five minutes to get that thing reversed," he said. Earlier, church members staged a demonstration outside the federal courthouse. Phelps held a sign reading "God is your enemy," while Phelps-Roper stood on an American flag and carried a sign that read "God hates *** enablers." Members of the group sang "God Hates America" to the tune of "God Bless America." Snyder sobbed when he heard the verdict, while members of the church greeted the news with tightlipped smiles. It was unclear whether the plaintiffs would be able to collect the damages awarded. Before the jury began deliberating the size of punitive damages, U.S. District Judge Richard Bennett noted that the size of the compensatory award "far exceeds the net worth of the defendants," according to financial statements filed with the court. Defense lawyer Jonathan Katz said the church has about 75 members and is funded by tithing. The defense attorney said that the assets of the church and the three defendants are less than a million dollars and that the compensatory award is about three times the defendants' net worth, mainly in homes, cars and retirement accounts. One of Snyder's attorneys, Sean Summers, said he would tirelessly seek payment of the award. "We will chase them forever if it takes that long," Summers said. This was my response: I hope this family get the money but I wouldn't count on it. The church will likely just officially go bankrupt and then start up again under a different name. They have also been picketing funerals of people who die from AIDS. I am feeling very unloved this week--got the bible-thumpers protesting both my (prenatally-determined) lifestyle and my place of employment. Yep, that's right, we got the "40 days for Life" anti-choice groups here in Knoxville this month, and they were in front of our friendly little Planned Parenthood Clinic on Monday. Latest word is I have a letter in the mail addressed to me personally, telling me it's not too late to walk away from my job (of which facilitating abortion services for women who want them is only a very small part) and inviting me to visit their Church. Got something I want to say to these "Christians"--MIND YOUR OWN DAMN BUSINESS AND LEAVE ME, MY FAMILY, MY FRIENDS, AND MY CLIENTS ALONE! Whew. Thanks for letting me vent. Sometimes living in the Bible belt gets old.

How sad! So sad for those families trying to greive and then being caught up in a vicious political circus. I've read of this before, but hadn't heard of this particular lawsuit. It can't be easy living in the bible-belt. I live in a *very* liberal college town, in the center of a very conservative state (WI) and count myself extremely lucky. You are to be commended for staying true to yourself and your principles in a hostile environment. Keep up the good fight, and take support where you can get it. (((hugs))) xmasmama

Thanks, Xmas Mama. I love the scenery here, the weather, and most of the people--but those bible-thumpers get me down. Sigh.

I was going to go to Planned Parenthood when I needed a gyn. They have more serveces than abortions. People need to take their heads outta their @$$es. Ya know I am a Christian, Mormon to be exact, and yes I am gay-friendly. I have learned that even if I think it's wrong (I am not just talking about homosexuality), ya don't punish people. Some of my closest friends are gay. I feel that what you do is your own business and it's not my place to judge. I can not believe to this day that these people go to funerals and spread their hate in the name of God. God loves everyone. I just want to scream when I see stuff like this, including the crap that gigi23 sent to Sean. People using God to justify hate. I just don't get it. I guess it's because I believe that God is a god of love. Kathy~ Proud to be called a "fag enabler" by those morons

Thanks, Kathy. I would really like to see the mainstream Churches denouncing these fanatics--and I would have a lot more respect for them if they did. But I haven't seen any sign of it.

I'm so sorry you are enduring all of this. More hatred has been perpetuated in the name of Christ than love. "Christians" used the Bible to justify buying and selling slaves. "Christians" in Canada forced all Indian children to attend Residential Schools where they were brutalized physically and sexually by nuns and priests, all in the name of "civilizing them". Christians don't have a corner on the market for hatred. Extremists of any religion (muslims for example) use their beliefs to justify their actions. I read that article today and the logic of saying that the US is involved in Iraq because the US supports gays is the most illogical ridiculous thing I've ever heard. The US is in Iraq because our president wanted to complete what his daddy started but couldn't fini****hink it is criminal that our young men and women are dying and being mamed in Iraq. To picket the funeral of these individuals and add to the torment of their families is hardly and act of Love. This group travels around the country spreading their poison and pain. Hang in there and good job being assertive!!!!!!

Thanks for your support, Babs!

I care! You're never unloved because there's always someone for everyone. I am a lesbian Christian and I attend a very inclusive church. We have GLBT from all walks of life, yet we all love the Lord. Make your own sign and show them this: www.wouldjesusdothat.com That should shut some of them up, but there will always be those naysayers who just don't get us. It's not honor to be heterosexual; no shame to ne homosexual. It's just who we are. The same God made us all. Hang tuff, my friend! Lotsa hugs , Cherry

Thanks, Cherry!

Oh yeah, the Phelps family is famous for stunts like this. It's horrible. I've seen his daughters on TV, and they are so brainwashed by their dad it's unbelievable. Sorry you are experiencing the protesters. That can be a hard thing to handle.