January 9, 2011 – According to Westboro Baptist Church, the shooter responsible for the death of a federal judge, 9 year old Christina Greene, and others, as well as injuring Rep. Giffords, was sent from God. One of their web sites now boasts the news release “THANK GOD FOR THE SHOOTER-6 DEAD! WBC WILL PICKET THEIR FUNERALS! Shooter Jared Lee Laughner opened fire at a Tucson, AZ grocery store at a political rally—shot 18, including Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords; killing 6, including federal Judge John M. Roll. God appointed this rod for your sins! God sent the shooter!”You may be familiar with this church and their picketing of American soldier’s funerals, saying that these soldiers died for our sins. With the terrible tragedy in Arizona, the church has now said they will picket the funerals of those killed, including 9 year old Christina Greene. So while the families of these victims are in mourning, these people will be there saying it is because of our sins that they are dead.
While I am a firm believer in the freedom of religion, this church has taken that freedom way too far. To make a hero out of Jared Lee Loughner and say that he is fulfilling the work of God is an outrage. Yet, the freedom of religion protects them to say this. But how would it be different, if this religious establishment was of muslin origin? Would they be given the same protections? No, we all know they wouldn’t. They would be raided by the federal government and placed on a terror watch list. They would be charged with acts against Americans. Yet, this Westboro Baptist Church is free to essentially promote the killing of American citizens on a regular basis
