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Maximilian Weber

Weber's "verstehen" (German for "understanding") can be used to make sense of the motives behind the actions of the WBC and the "angels." It includes four forms of rationality:

1. Instrumental - doing something because it will be helpful or useful in the future. One of the WBC arguments for heterosexuality is for the sake of procreation. 

2. Value - doing something because it aligns with ones values or moral compass. Both the "angels" and the WBC showed up to the memorial to fight for what they thought was "right" and to fight against what they saw as the evil in society.

3. Affectual - doing something out of genuine care or compassion for another individual. The "angels" wanted to ensure that the LGBTQ community felt loved and supported.

4. Traditional - doing something because it is the way it has always been done. The WBC's values are extremely traditionally conservative and they shy away from anything that denotes change or progress.

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