Freedom Does Not Justify Harming Others

What is happening to human decency, to compassion, to our sense of common humanity. I just saw on TV where a grieving father has been ordered by a court to pay abusive protestors at his son’s funeral because the young man died serving his country. I don’t care what people’s political views are on the war. To hold up signs at the funeral that the son is cursed and going to hell and things like “thank God for dead soldiers” – all in the name of some twisted church’s view that God punishes the country for tolerating homosexuality by killing young men and women. They have a right to believe whatever they want because of people just like that young marine.

Freedom comes with responsibility. Even if they believe that, where is their humanity that they would so deeply wound his parents, family, friends who are grieving the loss of someone precious to them. Disagreement with political, social or even moral issues does not justify inhumanity towards others at any time, let alone in their most painful moment.

The federal court who required the father to pay the fees of the church whom he sued was wrong. The church has already said it will use the money to carry on more of their protests at military funerals. The court in this case was no better than the protesters.

Disagree with other people. Disagree with your spouse, partner, friends and co-workers. But do it in a way that is respectful of the human being in front of you. Do it with decency. Abusive behavior is never OK no matter how passionate you are about your own beliefs and your own belief that your way is the ‘right’ way. Thinking you are ‘right’ is no excuse for harming others by spewing insults and hatred.