And why servicemen and -women but not the victims of mass shootings, mining disasters, bridge collapses, or grain elevator explosions—all of whom have been threatened with funeral pickets? And why not those who have died of AIDS-related illnesses, the original targets of WBC pickets? Why are some deaths worthy of dignity and some not?
Rebecca Barrett-Fox
Rebecca Barrett-Fox is the author of the forthcoming God Hates: Westboro Baptist Church, the
Often used interchangeably with Christian Right, but also can describe broader conservative religious coalitions that are not limited to Christians. Can include right-wing Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Mormons, and members of the Unification Church of Sun Myung Moon.
Learn more
, and American
The belief in the primacy of “the nation” as the most important political allegiance, that every nation should have its own state, and that it is the primary responsibility of the state and its leaders to preserve the nation.
Learn more
(University Press of Kansas). She teaches sociology at Arkansas State University, where she researches the links between religion, hate, and extremism. Contact her at: rbarrettfox@astate.edu.
