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Albert Snyder Refuses to Pay Westboro Baptist Church

by Jordan Yerman | March 31, 2010 at 07:05 am

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Albert Snyder Disputes Court Costs for Westboro Baptist Church

Albert Snyder originally won his court case against hate group Westboro Baptist Church, after the group picketed the funeral of his son, US marine Matthew Snyder. Albert Snyder originally won an $11 million judgment, but the Federal Appeals Court overturned the ruling, saying that Albert Snyder owes Westboro Baptist Church $16,000 for court fees. Snyder is refusing to pay.

The US Supreme Court will hear the case, which pits Westboro's First-Amendment right to free speech against Albert Snyder's right to not have his son's funeral disrupted by extremists ranting about something completely unrelated to the death of his son, and that the Snyder family's own rights to peaceful assembly and religious practice were infringed by Fred Phelps' group.

Private citizens ranging from a retired bookkeeper to Bill O'Reilly have offered to contribute to Albert Snyder's court costs.

That case, by the way, looks to be another big First Amendment test. Snyder sued the church for emotional distress, but his initial win was overturned by an appeals court, which ruled that protesters had free-speech protection.

It is almost impossible to sympathize with Westboro Baptist Church, who espouse a blatantly hateful ideology and target captive audiences who have gathered to mourn the loss of a loved one.

“Military funerals have become pagan orgies of idolatrous blasphemy, where they pray to the dunghill gods of Sodom and play taps to a fallen fool,” states a press release posted on the church’s website, announcing the rally at a memorial service for Lance Cpl. Justin Wilson. At the bottom of the press release are printed the words “Thank God for IEDs,” referring to the roadside bombs that have killed thousands of troops in both wars.

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just_me12 (not verified)

at 16:24 on March 31st, 2010

I hope this so-called "church" doesn't turn anybody away from the true God. Anyone can slap up a shingle on a building and call it a church. Always compare everything you see and hear to the Bible yourself. The actions of this group reminds me of this passage: Luke 17:37 "Where, Lord?" they asked. He replied, "Where there is a dead body, there the vultures will gather."

The Oppressed (not verified)

at 17:42 on April 4th, 2010

Very well said. I too hope this grotesque group does not deter those looking for Christ from their goal. It is a shame when God's name and glory is used in such an evil and sadistic manner.

baize (not verified)

at 21:26 on March 31st, 2010

Let me jsut say to all people n the USA that feels as though they are glad for deaths of MAericans to fight for the First amendment rights n there freedom, i hope they get put into a firing squad and beat to death, YOU are NOT a true american and appreciate the values of what u have I fight for my country and im in IRAQ right now, so to all that doesnt care i will see you and yourentire family in hell.

baize (not verified)

at 21:29 on March 31st, 2010

FOr all those who call themselves americans regardless of the first amendment right we have you dont belong in the USA i am fighting for your freedom that you appearntly dont have the courage to go do yourself you cowards. YOu should be all put in front of a firing sqaud and beat to death to be happy about the deaths of the BRAVE,, YOu have the guts to do this in public come to my play ground in iraq or afghansitan in do it my face,, your all a bunch of worthless scum, see you and your family all in hell,

Buella (not verified)

at 08:50 on April 1st, 2010

Thank you for your service!I totally agree with you, being married to a veteran myself, people just take all their rights here for granted and spit on the ones who protect them. It is disgusting and very unpatriotic. It is also sad to see that they think they know what God really thinks and are putting their thoughts into some dumb people's heads who actually believe their crap! It's a shame and they just need to stop!

Rhonda J Mangus

at 22:10 on April 3rd, 2010

Sorry I missed this, Jordan. Would you mind adding the tag Gay Rights to this story so it will also appear on NowPublic Gay Rights Special News Coverage. Thanks!

James Tracey (not verified)

at 23:16 on April 3rd, 2010

As a fellow service member currently in this war, and serving onboard USS COLE (The ship that was bombed in Yemen Harbor October 12, 2000) I personally think that the Fred Phelps Group can take their picket signs, shove them up their ass' and can all go to hell, regardless that they are a Christian group or not. My opinion is that they should just go ahead and wear Jane Fonda teeshirts while they're disrespecting another greeving family. How about showing the respect to the fallen who have served honorably for this country, protecting the people from future terrorist attacks, so that 9/11 doesn't reaccur or maybe we all got over that fact since 9/11 was almost 9 years ago and it no longer haunts us or the families that were involved?Although I support the first amendment 100%, I think that some people...like Fred Phelps and his little mentally challenged circle jerk group, need to practice it alittle more conservativly, like far away from a fallen hero funeral. Thank you to the democrats and liberals who can't keep' their mouths shut and their heads out of their asses! James TraceyUnited States NavyGOD bless America