It hasn’t been in the news recently but it is an issue that hasn’t gone away for me. It is the military funeral protests that have taken place in this great country of ours. I know that some will declare we have the freedom of speech, however, does that mean we completely disengage ourselves from the moral implications of military funeral protests? Or the complete disregard for respect to those men and women who have paid a dear price, along with family members who are left with nothing but memories?

In case you need to be reminded, here are what some of the protestor’s signs have declared: “Thank God for dead soldiers” or “Semper Fi fags.” Nice. Now these protestors are adamant that they are protected by the Constitution’s First Amendment.

Thankfully Congress, along with legislation in several states, has recently passed new laws to stop the picketing and other disruptive activities at military funerals. I find it very sad that we have to resort to passing laws. Who in their right mind could stand there and feel justified in behaving in such a dishonoring way?

We all have our right to an opinion. However, does an opinion or a belief give the right to disrupt a family mourning the loss of a loved one? These protestors should try and put themselves in the shoes of the family. How would they feel if they were mourning the loss of a loved one and someone was disrupting their time of grieving?

Is it not enough that a family member or friend has lost someone they loved? Must they also endure hateful behavior? How cruel, senseless and selfish.

I am so proud of our Congress for taking steps to stop this outrageous behavior. The insensitivity of protesting a military funeral is mind boggling. I am grateful that our First Amendment protects our rights to freedom of speech but it doesn’t give license to act irresponsibly.

I can’t help but think of a particular Bible verse that speaks well to this situation: Everything is permissible—but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible—but not everything is constructive (I Corinthians 10:23)