Is Westboro Baptist Church a hate group?

[eddie]

Some are beginning to think so, especially when Westboro wanted to protest at the funerals of the children killed in Newtown.

I think they can be classified as such.

http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012...or-action?lite

[Cybermat47]

If it gets them banned, yes! They pervert the teachings of the Messiah, and just piss everyone else off.

[Platapus]

Do we really want to start yanking IRS 501c status because a number of people disagree with what the organization does?

Keep in mind that any decision would have to be equally applied to other 501c organizations.....perhaps even ones many other people like.

That would be a slippery slope indeed.

[mookiemookie]

They're a gigantic money making scam that uses the word "church" as a way to shelter their scam from taxes. They're no more a "church" than I am.

[AVGWarhawk]

Originally Posted by mookiemookie

They're a gigantic money making scam that uses the word "church" as a way to shelter their scam from taxes. They're no more a "church" than I am.

I will go one further in that the WBC peddles their political view under the guise of being a church. It really is a political hate group.

[Takeda Shingen]

Well, here's the definition of hate group:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hate_group

A hate group is an organized group or movement that advocates and practices hatred, hostility, or violence towards members of a race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation or other designated sector of society.

I'd say that this pretty much covers Westboro Baptist. We're not talking about DOMA supporters or Chic-Fil-A here. This is a group that uses hate terminology and engages in disruptive behavior. Seems cut and dry to me.

[razark]

Without a doubt, they are a vile scum sucking hate group.

And as long as they don't break any laws, they have the First Amendment right to say what they want.

[Takeda Shingen]

Originally Posted by razark

Without a doubt, they are a vile scum sucking hate group.

And as long as they don't break any laws, they have the First Amendment right to say what they want.

Oh, they absolutely have the right to do what they are doing. But as a hate group they would no longer be considered a church and would lose their tax-exempt status.

[Platapus]

Originally Posted by Takeda Shingen

Well, here's the definition of hate group:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hate_group

One could make the same argument about the Catholic/baptist churchs

They are pretty hostile towards other religions and homosexuals.

That "definition" is fraught with loopholes. To me it should be restricted to acts of violence only.

A government can't really legislate hatred or hostility. Those are thoughts and intentions. It can, and should, only legislate actions.

The WBC is, in my opinion, scum. But until they break the law through action, they have a right to exist. No where does it say that a 501c organization needs to be nice.

[CaptainHaplo]

Originally Posted by Takeda Shingen

Well, here's the definition of hate group:

"A hate group is an organized group or movement that advocates and practices hatred, hostility, or violence towards members of a race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation or other designated sector of society"

I'd say that this pretty much covers Westboro Baptist. We're not talking about DOMA supporters or Chic-Fil-A here. This is a group that uses hate terminology and engages in disruptive behavior. Seems cut and dry to me.

Sadly, this is why they are NOT a hate group. The do not advocate that others hate homosexuals - they simply state that (they think) "God hates homosexuals". They do not advocate violence unlawful in any form against any group - including homosexuals.

Do not misunderstand - I find their tactics terrible, their lack of scholarship atrocious, and their intent despicable. That does not make them a hate group.

The first time there comes to light a "sermon" or "teaching" from Ole Fred, the patriarch, that says to go round up the gays and light em on fire or drag em through the streets - in other words - encouraging such action to take place outside the law - then they will be shut down immediately. These people are fools - but not so foolish as to step outside the boundaries of what this nation - that they so despise - affords them.

[Penguin]

Originally Posted by CaptainHaplo

Sadly, this is why they are NOT a hate group. The do not advocate that others hate homosexuals - they simply state that (they think) "God hates homosexuals". They do not advocate violence unlawful in any form against any group - including homosexuals.

They do advocate hatred. According to them, their interpretation of Christianity is the only true one. They worship their version of god, who hates about 99.9% of the world. As the "true believers" that they are they spread "god's will" by advocating hate. Their message is "You want to be saved? OK, follow the right way and hate (insert group)." As they are convinced of their version of truth, they want others to believe the same, to walk the way that is right according to them.
You can call it hate-by-proxy if you want, if people say "my leader hates fags" instead of "I hate them". Nonetheless they believe this and leave no chance out to spread their message.

[Takeda Shingen]

I think it's pretty clear that they are a hate group, given that their entire message is about hatred. In fact, hating seems to be just about the only thing they do.

[Herr-Berbunch]

Short answer - yes!

From what I've gleaned, and only from here, but they're nothing but a tight-knit family group with perverse ideology and are only a 'church' for tax benefits.

But I could be out of line here.

[eddie]

Originally Posted by Herr-Berbunch

Short answer - yes!

From what I've gleaned, and only from here, but they're nothing but a tight-knit family group with perverse ideology and are only a 'church' for tax benefits.

But I could be out of line here.

You're not out of line at all!

[Armistead]

Originally Posted by Herr-Berbunch

Short answer - yes!

From what I've gleaned, and only from here, but they're nothing but a tight-knit family group with perverse ideology and are only a 'church' for tax benefits.

But I could be out of line here.

Yea, it's sad you can start a church, declare yourself a Pastor and get so many tax deduction and benefits. Some past family state this family is just a group of old hippy atheist that have always played church....