English Level:
Expert
Content Warning:
high-level vocabulary, religion, hate speech, bigotry, anti-Semitism, homophobia
I have chosen not to include the definitions here to give you the opportunity to find the information yourself. The information you find this way will stay with you longer. Please take the time to find out the meaning of the vocabulary.
Evangelism
Chubby
Picket line
Heavy humidity
Clutching (a sign)
Protest
Fixture
Engaging
Antics
At odds with
Reinforced
Otherness
Trek
Damnation
Siblings
Agenda
Zeal
Hoards
Brawl
Scorn
Caught off guard
Bled into
Spar
Foe
Plant a seed of doubt
Doctrine
Inconsistency
Arbiter of truth’
Erosion of trust
Overwhelming
Antagonism
Open arms
Sincerity
Benefit of the doubt
Adrift
Abyss
Hasidic Rabi
Astonished
Turmoil
At the front of my mind
The path we have chosen
Emerging from our bunker
Lob rhetorical grenades at the other camp
Misogynist
Devolve
Flaws and merits
Anathema
The party line
Can’t fathom
Righteous indignation
Responding in kind
Intent
Ill motives
Wave of anger
Where someone is coming from
Mirroring
Dynamic
Counter-productive
Snark
Anonymous
Escalate (an argument)
Excuse myself
Buffer
A product of our upbringing
Make the case (for something)
Pointed questions
Distain
Extensive
Intractable
These warmup questions are intended to introduce you to the topic
- What role does religion have in your life?
- Is religion evil?
- There are many different types of Christians. Is it possible that some are wrong?
- Research about the Westboro Baptist Church. What do you think about their form of evangelism?
- Some religions think that homosexuality, transgenderism, some races or other characteristics are a sin. Do you agree? Is the role of religion to accept everyone?
- Is it ok to exclude people?
- What is hate speech?
- According to you, what is evil and what is good?
- When you were young, did you ever question adults? When did you start thinking for yourself?
As you listen, try to answer these questions.
You may need to listen more than once.
- Why did she leave her church?
- According to her church, who is evil and who is good?
- What did her church do at protests?
- How many family members does she have?
- Describe the ‘strange pattern’ that developed on Twitter.
- Who is David?
- What “changed the way (they) spoke together”?
- Why did she no longer view the other side as demons?
- Why did she want to hide when she left the church?
- Who left the church with her?
Reflect on what you have learned.
- What does the Westboro Baptist Church think about outsiders?
- How much influence should religion have in our lives? Should we teach religion in school? Should religion be in politics?
- Is the Westboro Baptist Church a Christian church?
- How do you know what is right / wrong?
- Have you ever had a life-altering conversation or event?
- Do you find anyone else’s view frustrating?
- Megan believes that talking is the best way to improve the world. Do you agree?
- Is it right for parents to use their child at protests?
- Identify at least one key issue from this video that you could research more.