Category | Op Ed

Religious extremism: not just overseas anymore

Published on July 25, 2006 by The Sentinel

The religon of Islam has its extremists. Al Qaeda comes to mind; a group of militant fighters whose goal is to overthrow Western civilization as we know it. Their central hideout is in parts unknown in the Middle East. The US has been fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq for the better part of a half a decade, supposedly in search for the man at the head of Al Qaeda, Osama Bin Ladin.

The religon of Islam has its extremists. Al Qaeda comes to mind; a group of militant fighters whose goal is to overthrow Western civilization as we know it. Their central hideout is in parts unknown in the Middle East. The US has been fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq for the better part of a half a decade, supposedly in search for the man at the head of Al Qaeda, Osama Bin Ladin.

Thousands have died. Millions have been affected. The world changed on Sept. 11, including our views on public safety and national welfare. Whether you agree with what we are doing in Iraq, it is noble to pay your respects to the men and women who die for the stars and stripes.

The extremists of this world also reside in the U.S. Extremist viewpoints are not only expressed by Islamic terrorists, but by the one faith that makes it a priority to keep peace. That is the religion of Christianity.

These extremist reside all over the U.S. Members of the Westboro Baptist Church are a perfect example. They have followers around the country thanks to their web site. What this church practices, above all, is our Constitutional right to free speech. Unfortunately, thanks to their recent actions, that freedom may be resricted.

The website of Westboro Church is www.godhatesfags.com. The web site is direct and to the point. These people preach and picket against homosexuality. They have been a controversial group that has made headlines in the past, but never before have they struck such a nerve.

The Westboro Church, led by 76-year-old pastor Fred Phelps, made headlines last week after picketing several funerals for soldiers killed in combat. They claim that God's wrath did the soldiers in, and the reason for it is because God sees the US as a damned nation for its tolerance of homosexuality. In other words, any soldier that would fight for the US also fights for the tolerance of homosexuality. That is of course, against the group's beliefs. What is so ironic is the fact that the US doesn't seem to be all that tolerant. Should I even mention gay marriage or the countless hate crimes?

In order to combat this disgrace, state lawmakers are putting restrictions on the First Amendment, including protests at funerals. This should not be necessary. Common sense would dictate that Phelps and company are in the wrong. I believe another law entitled disturbing the peace could put these protestors in jail. These restrictions on the First Amendment could turn into a slippery slope.

The Westboro Church headed to the capitol in protest of the new laws. They even protested at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington DC. They were met by the conservative group, Free Republic. They support the war and the troops. When Pastor Phelps began a speech on the site, several bikers in the Free Republic group revved their engines to drown him out. Leave it to conservatives to drown out independent if not slightly insane thought.

What the Westboro people are doing is obviously wrong. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to put the dots together on that one. From the Patriot Act on down, it seems that the slippery slope will continue to slip.

We should continue to support our troops, but we should also support their safe return. After all, is this what our troops are fighting for? Let's hope not.

Let us also hope that people like those at Westboro Baptist learn how to read, or at least not be selective readers. It would appear that they skimmed over the 'though shall not judge' part.