One of the biggest debates surrounding the legal and ethical issues of freedom of speech regards Kansas preacher, Fred Phelps. Documentary filmmaker, Michael Moore is an outspoken proponent of free speech -- in the following clip, he approaches Phelps' group. However, some would argue that Moore's actions are sometimes over the line of ethical speech -- he sometimes takes speaker's comments out of context in order to prove his point.
What do you think? How far should our legal system go to protect our rights as speakers? Should the government intervene against Phelps? What about Moore?
Watch this video and tell us what you think by posting a comment on this blog post (click "Comments" under the title of the post). It's worth 5 points before class time on July 1st.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Ethics and Propaganda (Evening)
Labels: Evening, Quizzes
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11 comments:
I personally think that what Fred Phelps is doing is awfull and should be stopped. There should be a limit on freedom of speech when it crosses the ethical boundry. I do think that the governement should intervene in this case. A homosexual student was brutally murdered, and he protested at his funeral, saying that he was going to burn in hell and wasn't a good man. Those men who murdered him and broke one of the ten commandments for pete sake were straight and will not be going to heaven. Just because he is a preacher, does not mean that he knows what God will say come judgement day. I also think that Michael Moore was just trying to draw attention to the situation and is not crossing the line.
I watched the posted segment but given my long nose and a need to see both sides of th story I watched some of the others. Seeing how narrow-mind Phelps was, I also saw how the group he leads were set in their beliefs and the young people, beliving what they were taught but seemed to be thinking for themselves. This could be where the line of hatered stops with the knowledge that you can't change people as a whole. Moore did draw attention to the rights of the gays with the Wyoming incident, but he left out the violent side. I saw one of the church (7YRS old) hit in the head by drink a passng motorist threw and the tags were covered. Now I don't like either side! A dilemma? I turned to quotations smarter people that I (which is considerable). Justice william O. Douglas stated; "The peolpe who extend civil liberties to only preffered groups start down the path to dictatorship of either the right or the left," I just abhor the violent extremes people go to.
It was interesting as another example of a "Hollywood" production complete with planning, props and the subsequent editing to present Michael Moore's view. What Moore presented as Fred Phelps packing up and leaving in "defeat" was actually Phelps avoiding an escalating confrontation from a group in a pink bus whose sole intent was to confront Phelp's group! I don't agree with Fred Phelp's methods, but his belief in the Bible's teachings appear to come from his heart. I have read that same Bible and no one wants to hear or see signs telling them their or their loved ones "actions" will earn them a seat in Hell! But, it is Fred Phelp's right to express his feelings. It is also Mr. Moore's right to express his feelings. Instead of Moore deciding to peacefully present his views on the opposite side of the street, he chose a form of confrontation that allows him to edit and make his group appear innocent to the viewer. I have been in cities and places where my personal view on homosexuality was explained as uneducated or just a phobia. I am neither uneducated nor afraid...I prefer to choose the time and place of the battle.
I think that Phelps is definatley in the wrong. There is an appropriate time and place for protest, but to do it at a funeral is not appropriate. Im not saying I agree or disagree with his beliefs, but you can't throw the Bible at someone the way he does and expect them to hear him. He's casting judgement on people, and most likely taking scriptures out of context to say what he wants them to say. I definately think that there should be a law against this type of protest.
William Forsythe
I think that what Fred Phelps is doing is wrong, wrong, wrong. It's never acceptable to rejoice when someone has lost a loved one. I also think that Fred's whole approach on this issue is so wrong. He's claiming he's doing God's work, but all he is doing is making "christians" look like the bad people. God has given man a choice to believe or not, it's called free will. Fred will one day be held accountable for all of his blasphemies. As for Michael Moore I like the guy. He is very controversial but I happen to like the fact that he "goes there". He picks topics that no matter what always manage to get people stirred up.
Freedom of speech is indeed a right, but it is trumped by privacy rights! The right to privacy should assure freedom from such verbal and emotional assaults at non-public gatherings. I have the right to swing my fist in any direction I choose, but that right does have limits, and stops before my fist reaches someone's nose. Likewise, I defend Mr. Phelps' right to speak as well as the rights of all who choose to listen to whatever he has to say, however, it is quite proper as many states have done for authorities to restrain such displays of derision and poor taste and require them to be out of range for those needing to grieve for their loved ones in peace.
- Les Rinehart
It really is disheartening to see such hate being preached by a man who dares to call himself a preacher.If Fred Phelps is preaching gods word then he surly knows that passing judgment upon others is also a sin. To judge and voice such hate on brothers and sisters alike is NOT what I was taught in Sunday school.He is pathetic,and is embarrassing that he claims himself to be a christian.
Sandra Rich
Excuse my language but this video just pisses me off! Who in the hell would picket a funeral no matter what the person is. Everyone should have respect for the dead, and whoever pickets a funeral should be arrested, hell ran over. Phelps was definetly in the wrong, people have there opinions but do they have to go to such exstent with the name calling such as FAGS! I do not believe in judging others for anything. I'm not much on speaking about religion because everyone believes in something different, but I don't think god wants us to judge others, "judge not lest ye be judged."
I hate Fred Phelps. Yes, I used the word HATE and I only say that word when I mean it. The bible says that you are supposed to forgive people. The bible says that you are not supposed to judge people, that is God's job. So unless God has come to him and told him how he judges poeple. How the hell does he know. Yes it says in the bible that it is a sin, but God forgives sins. I would love to be at the pearly gates when it is Fred Phelps time to go! A funeral is not a place to picket under any circumstance. What happened to the Golden Rule, Treat others as you would want to be treated? I sure hope that when Fred Phelps does kick the bucket, there is a whole crowd of Gays and Lesbians picketing his funeral! A@#hole!
Wow..that was just ridiculious. When someone dies we are to give them an their family our upmost respect. No matter what the circumstances are he's way over the line picketing and rallying at a funeral. We all do some kinda wrong in other's eyes but that don't mean ANYONE has the right to judge in a way that is clearly disrespectful, only God can do that. Not going to speak about religion because everyone has their own beliefs but what he is clearly doing is WRONG.
I honestly didnt know to what degree gays were being ridiculed untill I watched this video. Until now I thought pickiting was done only about gay marriage. It honestly creeped me out the way that lady was SINGING about how god hates gays. I think it has nothing to do with god to most of them they just have hate for gay people and manipulate god's word to back them up. So in that way its un-ethical. At the same time some gays may take offense to the way michael moore was making his point. Not all gays act that flamboyant.
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