Phelps v. Snyder

“God hates you.” “You’re going to hell.” Could you imagine having to bury your child that returned to American soil, dead, after fighting a war, listening and seeing these kinds of statements? When burying a loved one, a person should not have to deal with people picketing at a private funeral. That person is in enough pain and emotional loss for having to bury a family member. This is not more of an inappropriate or inconsiderable time than ever to be causing a negative scene and displaying a strong sense of hatred on someone who just recently lost their life fighting for this country. Albert Snyder, father of the late Matthew Snyder, has every right in his power to be suing Fred Phelps, pastor and founder of Westboro Baptist Church and the congregation, in seeking redemption for Matthew on numerous grounds. I, personally, have the right to be buried and laid in peace as does everyone else. A family should have the right to bury their loved one with no interference from others. Burying a person is part of life and to invade one’s personal right is unlawful. Westboro Baptist Church did not have the right to be present at Matthew Snyder’s funeral and in doing so I believe the decision made by the United States Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit should be reversed by the United States Supreme Court. A fallen hero returned to his homeland from Iraq, while on active military duty, where he was killed on the warfront. His name is Lance Corporal, Matthew Snyder, who was pronounced dead on March 3, 2006. His family held a funeral seven days later on March 10, 2006 in Westminster, Maryland. On the day of the funeral, members of Westboro Baptist Church protested at the funeral and posted an essay on its website called “The Burden of Marine Lance Cpl. Matthew A. Snyder” all because of the question of his sexuality. Whether or not he was homosexual, people can think what they want to, but Westboro Baptist Church made it apparent of their anti-American, anti-Catholic, and