Should Westboro Baptist church be counted as a hate group?
Personally, I think these bastards should be counted as a hate group. Hopefully, you all agree. Unless you're a bigot.
Yes
Side Score: 18
|
 |
No
Side Score: 5
|
|
|
|
|
4
points
1
point
They're borderline terrorists. Ignorant people who are a prime example of extremist religions. For picketing funerals, harassing homosexuals, harassing every country in the world on their website (www.godhatesfags.com), and overall deserving to be locked up and beaten in prison, yes, they should. Side: Yes
Hell yes. They are offensive people. I had to go to a military funeral for a friend of mine, and they showed up. But what was unique was that the Freedom Riders and other people created a wall of people a few square blocks to block them and the media didn't broadcast anything about them. Side: Yes
1
point
1
point
1
point
1
point
1
point
Of course they should be labeled a hate group, in fact I was under the impression that they already were. Other hate groups have come forward making a point to deny any association with WBC. That is really saying something when the KKK wants nothing to do with you. They are racist, they picket the funerals of basically everybody, and they are a public disturbance if you ask me. They are a hate group when you get right down to it. Side: Yes
|
3
points
Nah, the WBC are a media savvy group that know what they are doing and it isn't all about the religion. Are they extreme? Yes Are they spreading hate? Yes Do they actually believe all that they say? No I can't find the video, but I watched a gay guy interview Shirley Phelps on the street while she wore a "God hates Fags" sign, turns out they knew each other and he had been in their home many times as a family friend, while he was openly gay. The WBC are riding the modern media frenzy wave, and they've got people like the creator of this debate to thank for their fame, if nobody gave a shit about them, they'd fade away. Side: No
1
point
It does not matter what their beliefs are, they are harassing people of many different social groups. Their actions make them a hate group. You can make a good argument that people should not be paying attention to them, but that does not mean we can just overlook their matching the defintion of a hate group. Side: Yes
2
points
1
point
I really want to say "yes" to this; but I've seen several good arguments from atheists as to why the WBC should not be counted as a hate group. What do the WBC actually do? They parade around with posters saying horrible things about gay people and getting people offended. But they don't cause any physical harm to anyone. The have been no WBC shootings. No WBC suicide bombers. Nothing. What do atheists do? They parade around with with posters saying horrible things about religion, calling religious people idiots and getting people offended. But they don't cause any physical harm to anyone. The have been no atheists shootings. No atheist suicide bombers. Nothing. To all intents and purposes, there are few real differences between that WBC and most New Atheists. Therefore, any efforts to make the WBC a hate group would invariably backfire on atheists who could realistically come under similar restrictions because of their similarities with the WBC. Side: No
1
point
It is not just homosexuals they target. The list is so long it is easier just to tell you who is not on it; members of the west boro baptist church. There are some atheists who might offend people sometimes, but not to the extent that the WBC does. They protested the funeral of a 9-year old girl who was shot in a massacre. Seriously, they are nuts. Side: Yes
1
point
i will be the first to admit, i really f*ckin hate the WBC. but they are operating under complete compliance with the law. they really are not doing anything wrong. i went on an extensive search of the legal definition of the word Protest, and its so broad. they are complaining about something they dont agree with. it doesnt matter if they're arguing about something that affects them or not. they are allowed to protest WHATEVER they want. so as much as i HATE to admit it, no. they are not doing anything illegal, and it shouldn't be considered hate. i may not agree with what they have to say, but i will fight to the death for their right to say it. Side: No
1
point
|
