Religious extremism groups and the first Amendment
Augusta, Ga. – Does the first amendment protect the rights of the members of the Westboro Baptist Church (WBC) to protest the funerals of fallen servicemen and women killed in action? The controversial case will go before the United States Supreme Court tomorrow. Is this a case of radical religious extremism?
Todd Powell-Williams, an assistant professor in the Department of Sociology, Criminal Justice, and Social Work at Augusta State University, has spent five years conducting ethnographic research with the Westboro Baptist Church.
He is currently writing a book and a number of scholarly articles related to his time spent studying the WBC, and the sociological insights gained from this research. Dr. Powell-Williams received his bachelor’s degree from Kent State University, master’s degree from Ohio University and doctorate from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale.
If you are interested in pursuing this story, call Tunisia Williams, assistant director in ASU’s Office of Public Relations and Publications at 706-737-1877.
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