Protest at a Funeral Challenges Free Expression

If losing a loved one is hard, then seeing protestors parade signs that read “Thank God for Dead Soldiers” at a funeral is more than just a tragedy. Father of deceased US soldier Matthew Snyder was only trying to honor his heroic son when church protestors decided to use the occasion as an opportunity.

Father Al Snyder wanted to honor his son, Matthew, and though he may see his son’s death as a heartbreak, the members of Westboro Baptist Church saw the soldier’s funeral as just another “major public platform.” By literally using the late Snyder’s coffin as a pedestal, the protestors’ goal to inform others of inevitable damnation if they do not amend the error of their ways is clear.

Young Snyder was not gay, but that didn’t matter to the protestors, especially when they’ve done this to 600 other military funerals already. Patriotic defender or not, this man deserved to die because homosexuals continued to exist in the world, according to activists. All Matthew Snyder did was protect the citizens of his country, but  they can’t bring themselves to appreciate his sacrifice.

The Westboro visitors may have flown from Kansas to Maryland with intentions of saving people from hell, but this was at the expense of a grieving father. If anyone wants to convey their beliefs, they have every right to, as long as they play nice. Granted rallying at funerals is acceptable, who’s going to draw the line when these people start crashing weddings? Or even baptisms? If “insensitivity” isn’t defined clearly now, then anything is game.

If this intruding mob desires to somehow show respect to the deceased, someone should remind them that brandishing banners with obscene comments is not part of the vernacular custom.

Daisy Prom,

Staff Writer