Posted on 10/19/2017 5:45:08 PM PDT by marshmallow
The Georgia Supreme Court on Monday reversed a disorderly conduct conviction against a man who flipped a bird at his pastor, saying the man’s behavior was protected speech under the First Amendment.
The incident occurred at the 12Stone Church in Flowery Branch when David Justin Freeman attended services in August 2014. As the service came to a close, Pastor Jason Berry asked that any teachers who were present to stand and be recognized so the congregation could pray for them to have a successful year.
Freeman, who home-schools, stood up, raised his middle finger in the air and stared angrily at the pastor. Freeman then shouted, “Don’t send your kids to the evil public schools. Don’t let Satan or the devil raise your kids,” according to court testimony.
Berry testified that Freeman’s behavior frightened him and a sheriff’s deputy was dispatched to the church where Freeman was charged with disorderly conduct, a misdemeanor offense. He was later convicted, sentenced to a year on probation and ordered to pay a $270 fine.
The state Supreme Court, in a unanimous opinion, overturned Freeman’s conviction.
(Excerpt) Read more at ajc.com ...
Rude behavior but I agree, it is not criminal.
Maybe not guilty in the eyes of the law, but a very nasty, self centered person nonetheless. I would question the quality of education (and social skills!) any child may receive at this man’s Home School environment.
I’d leave a church where that happened.
I don’t want to go to a church where the pastor is such a cream puff that he can’t handle confrontation.
Hope someone tries their ‘freedom of expression’ at a court in Georgia - see how that works out.
How will this preacher react when Satan confronts him?
Pray that he have a successful year?
Good thing or I’d be in jail.
try flipping off the judge while in court. Just to see what happens.
More importantly....why did this go to court? Should not have the pastor simply turned the other cheek?
The Pastor may have felt humiliated in front of his Parish.
He wanted to exact contrition or vengeance in some costly manner. “How dare you?! No one flips me off in front of my flock! Especially no atheist who never donates to the school funds.”
Definitely not a criminal offense ... but your mother should crack you in the head with a wooden spoon, fella!
This issue was litigated decades ago.
Seems some patriot flipped the bird at Spiro Agnew who was at the time the vice President.
Agnew had the guy arrested by his security detail.
Guy took it all the way to the Supremes and flipping the bird was found to be protected free speech.
Thread won. No further posts required.
I imagine flipping off an imam at a mosque would somehow be considered a hate crime.
The Pastor should have just ordered the man to leave. If he had refused then he could have been successfully charged with trespass.
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