First they forbid a father from teaching his own daughter his simple
traditional religious values and next, yet one more monument expressing
strongly-held religious convictions is banned from public property:
The Associated Press
HALLAM, Pa. -- Tracey L. Roberts isn't trying to stop her ex-husband
from voicing his support of polygamy, a belief that broke up their
marriage.
But she doesn't want him teaching their 10-year-old daughter,
Kaylynne, about the practice or exposing her to it in any way. She has
won her point in a lower court but now her ex-husband, Stanley Shepp, has
taken the case to the state Supreme Court.
"Religious discussion in the home between a parent and a child has
got to be the most sacred freedom-of-speech issue ever," Shepp said.
Counters Roberts: "It's not an organized religion -- it's in his
mind. Polygamy's illegal everyplace, and it's illegal for a whole lot of
reasons."
A judge in May 2002 granted Roberts and Shepp joint custody, saying
Kaylynne would continue being raised in the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints.
But Common Pleas Judge Stephen P. Linebaugh prohibited Shepp from
"teaching (Kaylynne) about polygamy, plural marriages, or multiple
wives," at least until she is 18.
Shepp's lawyer, Dann Johns, filed an appeal with the state Supreme
Court.
Shepp and Roberts met in 1991 at a Mormon church in York, Pa. -- both
had converted to the religion as adults. They married the following year.
As Shepp's interest in polygamy grew, Roberts brought the matter to
the attention of church elders. Eventually, the couple split, and the
church excommunicated Shepp for his views.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints renounced polygamy in
1890 and the church now excommunicates those who practice or advocate it.
But some splinter groups continue to believe in polygamy, and an
estimated 30,000 in the West practice it.
Shepp, who remarried after splitting with Roberts, said he is not
currently seeking another wife or wives. But he says he is convinced his
status in the afterlife depends on it and does not believe state law
prohibits it.
The state Superior Court panel based its decision in part on a
finding that exposing Kaylynne to polygamy posed a substantial threat to
her.
Roberts' lawyer, Richard Konkel, said learning about polygamy from
her father could put Kaylynne at risk.
"In a custody case, the best interests of the child is always
paramount," Konkel said.
Shepp said if he loses in the state Supreme Court, he will ask the
U.S. Supreme Court to consider the case.
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Christopher Curtis, Gay.com /
PlanetOut.com Network
SUMMARY: Idaho's Boise Parks and Recreation Commission voted on Monday
against preacher Fred Phelps' plan to display a monument that describes
Matthew Shepard entering hell.
Another setback for Pastor Fred Phelps and the Westboro Baptist Church:
Idaho's Boise Parks and Recreation Commission voted unanimously on
Monday against the church's plan to post a monument of Matthew Shepard
entering hell.
Phelps and his church have been trying to get permission to install a 6-
foot granite monument that would include a bronze plaque with Shepard's
image and the words, "Matthew Shepard entered hell October 12, 1998, at
age 21 in defiance of God's solemn warning."
On Oct. 7, 1998, Shepard was tied to a fence outside Laramie, Wyo.,
beaten unconscious with a gun and left to die. Five days later he
passed away. Phelps gained national notoriety by later protesting
Shepard's funeral and the trial of his convicted killers.
Already Shepard's hometown of Casper, Wyo., and Greene County, Tenn.,
have rejected Phelps' monument.
Phelps targeted Boise's Julia Davis Park believing that, since the park
displays a monument of the Ten Commandments, the park must remain open
to other religious monuments.
But commissioners rejected Phelps' proposal. According to the Idaho
Statesman, commissioners claimed the offensive language of Phelps'
memorial was exempt from First Amendment protection, and furthermore
Phelps' monument goes against the park's master plan of losing no green
space.
Commissioner Bryan Fischer, a pastor and conservative Christian leader
who voted against Phelps' proposal, was quoted as saying that while he
thinks "homosexual behavior is destructive," he also feels "God does
not hate homosexuals. God loves sinners."
The final decision rests with Boise's City Council.
Shirley Phelps-Roper, attorney for the Westboro church and also Fred
Phelps' daughter, told the Idaho Statesman the church would wait for
the city's decision before considering a discrimination lawsuit.
In the meantime, Boise is bracing for protests and rallies pitting
neighborhood Christians who don't want to change their park against
Phelps' followers, who are denouncing conservatives for not joining
their cause.
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