The Visor

Homosexuality policy in army brings riots

March 26, 2010

Editorial Board

It’s been seven years since we ‘won’ the war in Iraq, but the war at home has just begun.

Who would have thought that the war on terror abroad would turn into a war against a specific church’s beliefs at home?

Everyone knows that the war on terror is not over. The United States has been fighting since 2001 and there has been a certain percentage of the population that has been opposed to it since the get-go. While peaceful protest would best describe most of the resistance, the actions of the more radical riots and funeral-crashing groups are what stay in the minds of most Americans.

Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kansas has been seen as one of the major players in this sick game. Members of the church attended the funeral of Marine Lance Cpl. Matthew Snyder with signs reading, “God hates the USA/Thank God for 9/11”, “Thank God for IED’s.” and “Thank God for Dead Soldiers.” The church claims that the deaths in Iraq and Afghanistan are because of the nation’s tolerance of homosexuality. Snyder’s father sued the church as well as some its members and won a verdict of $11 million for emotional distress and invasion of privacy. The judge then lessened the amount to $5 million but later a federal appeals court threw out the whole verdict.

Both parties can learn something. To think that anyone can attend a funeral with signs thanking God for their death, in front of grieving family members and friends is absolutely ridiculous. Anyone who lays down their life for their country deserves respect. For someone to advocate the killing of men who provide for our national defense is hypocritical.

The unorthodox manifestation of this church’s feelings to the general public has brought angry feelings to the surface of a nation that is finally winding down from years of extreme terrorist violence. This has nothing to do with the United State’s tolerance of homosexuality. According to the bible we are all made in God’s image and likeness (Gen 1:27).

It’s sad to think that $11 million could fix the emotional distress the family has been through. While Snyder’s goal was to bankrupt the church, it would be nice to see someone not go after a monetary settlement for once and try to think outside the box. Money can be used for good purposes but it is possible that a discourse with church members could shed some light on the differences between them and most of the modern world.

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