"Unprecedented abuse of power silences Christian message"
A story I am following is the report that Christians have been arrested in Philadelphia and face up to 47 years imprisonment because of what amounts to the city's interpretation of "hate speech." The American Family Association has posted the following story on it's website:
If anyone has more information on this developing story, please feel free to post it here in the comments section. As I said, I'll be following the story and posting more as it develops.
Unprecedented abuse of power silences Christian messageThere is a related story here. The implications of this can be far-reaching if the city is successful, since the city of Philadelphia is determining what constitutes free speech and what constitutes "hate" speech. Of course, in this situation, there was no such "hate" involved. Apparently, it is fine for groups like the KKK to march and promote bigotry all day long, but Christians are required to keep quiet because what they say amounts to hate speech. Someone once asked me on this blog how Christians are being persecuted. If this plays out, you'll see it in action.
For Immediate Release: 1/5/2005
Tupelo, MS - Appearing on Fox News The OReilly Factor last night, Brian Fahling, senior trial attorney for the American Family Association Center for Law & Policy, pointed to the profound abuse of power by the city of Philadelphia and emphasized that evangelism does not constitute criminal charges.
Eleven Christians were arrested at a homosexual event called Outfest in Philadelphia last October and were charged with three felonies and five misdemeanors. Four of the eleven now face up to 47 years in prison because they, and not the others, were caught on camera evangelizing.
This case is about the unprecedented abuse of power that took place in Philadelphia -- the Bible and evangelism criminalized as hate speech and four men facing prison because they dared to exercise rights guaranteed them under our Constitution, said Fahling who is defending the Christians. The city has attempted to silence a message it deems offensive by sending the messengers to jail. Thats frightening, thats chilling, and every American ought to be outraged, Fahling said.
The Christians were singing, praying, and reading scriptures that city officials deemed as fighting words and hate speech.
The video footage shows my clients were peacefully evangelizing, Fahling said. There was absolutely no crime committed. They were bringing the message of Jesus Christ to a public event as they do at a wide venue of other events.
Fahling said he plans to seek intervention from the Department of Justice.
If anyone has more information on this developing story, please feel free to post it here in the comments section. As I said, I'll be following the story and posting more as it develops.
Labels: David C. Price
posted by DAVID C. PRICE at 1/06/2005 09:47:00 AM
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5 Comments:
That was, of course, me who asked how Christians are being persecuted. I agree that, as presented, the story is an abuse by the city of Philadelphia. "The Christians were singing, praying, and reading scriptures..." What were they saying? The description could cover a lot of ground. Does anyone have the video posted?
Personally, I am not in favor of hate speech laws, or greater penalties for "hate crimes." Crimes have penalties, whether the perpetrator hated the victim is really not germaine. Adding on additional penalties for "hate" is punishing someone for what they were thinking. Hate crimes, as with hate speech, are in the eye of the beholder.
I look forward to any further updates.
Good question about the video. If I can find one, I'll post a link.
Here is a link to the actual incident in question: http://www.afa.net/clp/videos/philly11.wmv
You can stay up to date with the case by visiting www.lifeandlibertyministries.com
The latest news concerning the arrested Christians will be updated regularly.
Thanks for the link...that's very helpful.
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