A Klu Klux Klan (as an example) march/gathering/public display is allowed as long as no one asks for violent actions to be taken. Once they do, its conspiracy to commit murder/assault/whatever was asked. And absolutely everyone there can and will be arrested.

Same goes with anything. You're allowed to speak your mind, as long as you don't cross a line asking for violence. Unfortunately, the current US government doesn't understand that this is supposed to cover *all* ideas, and while allowing people like this to speak their mind, it is disallowing certain people on the radio from making fart jokes and talking about how much of an idiot Bush is. Hey, its free speech. Does it not seem a little odd that these people can sit there and yell that god hates fags, but other people have been arrested (even if its just temporarily held in custody) for saying 'god hates George W. Bush'?

Edit: I should've said "cross a line asking for any criminal act", but I doubt during "God Hates Fags" rallies, someone's going to have a sign that says "Let's Shoot Heroin And Rape Women To Prove Our Heterosexuality!" Heh.

Heh, that's one way to show a person how stupid they appear. Mimic their ignorance. I hate people that hate other people. Mmhmm.

I read through this entire thread and it's interesting to see the different points of view. I think those signs are just horrible. Free speech should be banned if used in such a way. Where does one draw the line? Hell, it's illegal to walk around naked but it's okay to parade around with signs like that?

It's not illegal to sun bathe naked on public sand bars etc. As long as that's all your doing, and it's not stated otherwise. Meh.

Me thinks people who have such blatant disregard for the sanctity of choice and freedom of will are disgusting. I don't care one way or the other if you want to believe there is a god, there were no such things as dinosaurs, and evolution is the theology of Satan (Yes, I've had Baptists tell me this), that's your decision. I really don't give a damn if you choose to be ignorant. Not to say I'm right or wrong. But, I don't want you telling me my method of life is evil/disgusting/wrong. If I'm going to "Hell" for loving a man, then I guess I'm going to Hell.

And you should be content with that. Okay, I'm going to Hell. Bugger off, I don't need saving. Heaven for the climate, Hell for the company.

Banning their freedom of speach would not only be a crime against the rest the United States it would encourage them to use far more violent tactics.

I'm in favour of violent tactics.

But I give what I get, heh. And I wouldn't mind placing a 2x4 with a nail sticking out of it through this Phelps character. Then again, that would make him a martyr. I've far devious and delicious things in store for him.

At least, in my own little world. Mm. Yum.

Just got this email today, and thought I would spread the propaganda. (Not all propaganda is bad you know)

http://www.teachkidspeace.com/flash.php

Being that my entire life and culture is full of other people telling me I'm going to go to hell I just can't see whats so wrong with those signs compared to stuff shown in that flash video.

While that flash is loading, I'd like to comment on your apparent belief that just because something else is worse (you tried to flash the "kids being used in war" card earlier) doesn't justify this.

I'll edit it when I see it.

EDIT: Yes, this is awful (and religion-inspired) indoctrination at work, but again, it doesn't make trying to convince people homosexuality a sin any less of a moral flaw.

I'm just going off of the logic stated here.

How is it related?
Because of all the 'leftist' groups around the world who are quick to condemn one kind of behavior when people they don't like are doing it, but not when people they do like are doing it.

i.e. using children to advance thier political goals.

What? If my parents went out onto the street to protest about gay people, I'd probably leave home.

And can I say, when did I ever say I approved of gay and lesbian pride parades? Not saying I do, not saying I don't. I personally believe people should simply allowed to get on with what they are doing as long as it harms no-one. I believe the gays should just be gay, and get on with it with no problems. I believe stuck up s who protest funerals should go to hell.

EDIT: Note I am a child, not an adult living with his parents.

EDIT: Watch your language. ~Shiri~

I don't quite see how Congo and Sri Lanka are religion inspired.

Also I would not say the PA is religion inspired as Arafat was a christain. This is another case of a corrupt political institution using any means necessary to advance thier cause and ideals. Some countries use Marxist theory, some use Christian theory, some use Islamic theory, some use Darwin theory, or even Secular humanism theory, or Pagan theory.

The issue is not the theory they use its the people who use them and enjoy making other people's lives misarable so that they can feel power and in control. As in Darth Vader's, or 3 laws or robotics vision, some twisted attempt to 'save people'

Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate leads to suffering.

Ah, and now it's my turn to point out how YOU chose not to respond to the entire rest of my post. That was a snarky comment (which is applicable in parts, although not Congo and Sri Lanka, as you say), not the main conclusion.

I was explaining why I was talking about children being used in war, since -other- people were complaining about using children for these things, and you aptly said that people shouldn't be worrying so much about something when thier protests do more harm than the people they are protesting.

I'm curious who actually believes any of the crap those people on the streat corner are saying. Afterall, the stated intnetion is to piss people off and make money, they don't really care what message they are giving to piss off those people.

And yes, if they were neo-nazi's I'd be saying the same thing.

The reason no one complained about people using children in war is because that wasnt being discussed. Now had the discussion been about war and a picture of a child shooting machine guns then you would have heard people complaining.

I know it was a snarky comment, but its the type of snarky comment that fuels hatred.

The point is, you should be railing on people who stand on streat corners trying to entice people to hit them so they can sue and make money. It doesn't matter what message someone is spewing when that is thier inention, and it infact would make me question if those people actually believe what they are saying.

When you see a priest get up in church and tell people to go do terrible things then you can start blaming the religion. Untill then, blame the greedy money hungry violent buggers who enjoy causing people pain for thier own gain.

See, thats why America is so hung up on not establishing an official church, becaus3 the founders understood that the State will abuse the powers of the Church.

Then you accept the validity of the rest of my point?

I'm lumping all leftists who are keen on dividing the world in to Us or Them together, since that appears to be thier current goal, and too many regualar people are happy to continue pushing thier talking points.

Like this thread which is preaching people to hate protestors who hold signs that they don't agree with.

Yes, the use of children has nothing to do with the morality of homosexuality, but then again neither does idiotic protestors who enjoy making signs and getting publicity.

Then you're also conceding that the protesting against homosexuality IS wrong, even if what these people are trying to do ISN'T in fact that (which I find hard to believe, but I'll pretend you're right) and is really about money?

Protesting against anything is never wrong.

Inciting others to do violence or other bad things is.

You wouldn't mind if I went out protesting about Jews and telling them they were all going to hell, then? You don't think that might cause some slight emotional distress, or similar?