A father?s depression was not affected by the Westboro Baptist Church decision to protest at his son?s funeral, a psychologist for the church testified in federal court Monday.
“The church?s actions certainly are emotionally offensive, butin the grand scheme of things it is a distraction,” said Neil Blumberg, a forensic psychiatrist from Timonium.
Albert Snyder sued Westboro Baptist Church in an effort to calm the anger and helplessness he felt after his son, Marine Lance Cpl. Matthew Snyder, died in Iraq last year, Blumberg said.
Depression caused by his son?s death was hardly exacerbated by the protest, where church members waved signs boasting, “Fag troops” and “Pope in Hell,” Blumberg said.
“[Snyder?s] reaction to the church?s actions clearly differ from his depression,” Blumberg said. “When he speaks about the church, he?s angry and upset, and when he speaks about his son, there?s depression, and the two are very different.”
Snyder is suing for intentional infliction of emotional distress, invasion of privacy and civil conspiracy.
It is the first lawsuit against the Topeka, Kan., church, which has protested other churches, government buildings and funerals for 17 years.
But Blumberg said the lawsuit would not fulfill the sense of closure that Snyder was trying to reach.
The defendants, Westboro, its founder Fred Phelps and two of his daughters, believe God kills American troops to get revenge for the country?s prideful tolerance of homosexuality.
Whether fervent, religious and political beliefs protect them from intentionally injuring already grieving families will be the decision facing the jury when deliberations begin Tuesday in the potential landmark case.
“There are a lot of interesting First Amendment issues built into this case,” said Jamie Raskin, a constitutional law professor at American University. “The case has the potential to be a very important one, depending on how the verdict turns out.”
Closing arguments are expected to begin Tuesday morning.
