Posted on 01/04/2005 2:54:45 PM PST by St. Johann Tetzel
'Philly 4' Case Hits Prime Time with O'Reilly
Attorney for Christians Calls Incident Clear Case of 'Anti-Christian Bigotry'
By Ed Thomas and Jody Brown
January 4, 2005
(AgapePress) - The right of Christians to assemble and preach the gospel in public is under examination in Philadelphia. Four of the eleven Christians who preached at the "gay pride" event "Outfest" in early October -- all of whom were arrested -- are now facing prison time of up to 47 years.
The "Philadelphia Four", as they have come to known, are facing felony charges -- and are accused of using "fighting words" -- for preaching against homosexuality. Video footage of the group's appearance at the pro-homosexual event shows Christian activist Michael Marcavage, founder of the Philly-based group Repent America, with a bullhorn attempting to sing and speak the gospel. He is accompanied by several other Christians.
The video also shows the "Pink Angels," a group of homosexual activists, using 10-foot tall Styrofoam boards, surrounding the Christians as they blocked the group's signs, impeded their movement, and prevented people from seeing them. None of the homosexual activists was arrested, cited, or warned for their actions.
Speaking on the Fox New program O'Reilly Factor on Monday night (January 3), an attorney for the four Christian activists said one of the issues in the case is an abuse of power by authorities in the City of Brotherly Love.
Brian Fahling
"Now, when you speak in the public square -- at least in Philadelphia -- you will be sent to prison, if they have anything to say about it," said Brian Fahling, an attorney with the American Family Association's Center for Law & Policy. "That's frightening, that's chilling -- and every American ought to be astonished, stunned, and outraged that this is happening in Philadelphia."
Fahling said all his clients were doing was "peacefully evangelizing" -- and that they were doing "what every evangelist does -- and that's bring the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ to those who don't know Christ. There's no crime in that." His group calls the incident "the clearest example of anti-Christian bigotry by city officials in the last century."
Also appearing on the Fox News segment was Outfest legal advisor Charles Volz. The felony charges of criminal conspiracy, ethnic intimidation, and inciting a riot seemed to be echoed in his accusations of the 11 Christian activists who were originally arrested.
"I think we've got to draw a line between where is freedom of speech and where is it 'fighting words,'" Volz said.
The AFA attorney implied much is at stake in the case. "Forty-seven years in prison for preaching the gospel?" he asked. "This is a historic case. This is the natural evolution of the systematic removal of the symbols of Christianity from the public square."
According to Volz, the eleven Christians were arrested in October not for preaching the gospel, but for refusing to abide by the rules established by local law enforcement authorities. He stated he did not expect the maximum sentence to be handed down. "They might get six to twelve months probation," he said. "Nobody's going to jail for 47 years."
Fahling says his group is planning to ask for an investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice into the case.
? 2005 AgapePress all rights reserved.
So, as long as a person quotes scripture but doesn't tick anyone off that's ok with you?
Most of the people in the blue states still think they have freedom, people in the USSR knew they didn't have it.
I saw the Factor last night and O'Reilly was doing his best to be "fair & balanced." Unfortunately, it was obvious he hadn't a clue as to what went truly went on at the event. He hadn't watched the video of the arrest and after seeing a protester's sign that quoted Leviticus, he was upset that homosexuals were referred to as "abominations." It wasn't one of his best interviews.
at least
HIDEOUS
DEVIL op ment
"Gay marriage"is not the the homosexual lobby's goal, this is...
Quote from another Freeper...
"Once gay marriage is legal, gays will lose interest. The point is to destroy marriage and force complete acceptance and legitimization of homosexuality. Once gay marriage is legal, homosexuality as a normal choice will be taught in schools (Homosexual indoctrination of children will be applied by law) and parents will have no standing to object".
Why? Because you will be arrested charged with "hate crimes" and jailed should you object to any of it.
I recommend everyone that hasn't done so already to listen to THE SECRET GLSEN RAINBOW TAPE FILES
On March 25, 2000 the Massachusetts Departments of Education and Health teamed up with the national gay and lesbian group GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network) and conducted a conference for school children and educators.
This seminar was secretly taped with excerpts provided here, hosted by Scott Whiteman of the 'Parent's Rights Coalition'.
If they were breaking the law, yes. If they weren't breaking the law, no.
What laws did these "Bible people" break? Rather, what were they charged with?
The event was held on public property. Even if the Christians were disruptive they have as much right to be on public property as anyone else.
Look, guys, I don't like fags any more than anyone else (I think they should all rot in hell), but it was THEIR event, and the Bible people were disrupting it by being there. The fact that I agree with the Bible people changes nothing. The fact that they were polite changes nothing.
If you are a Christian then your first loyalty is to God. Love for people who are on their way to hell is the motivation for telling them the gospel. No where has there been any mention of the Christians disrupting the event, they are guilty of "QUOTING SCRIPTURE", which is now being used against them as a "HATE CRIME". The Constitution may be old but it's still in effect and there is freedom of speech for both groups. We also have freedom of assembly unlike our dear Christians in China, we may soon feel the pressure they do if this case is prosecuted as it stands right now.
The cops did what they had to do. And all this "47 years in jail" is just a bunch of hype (just like the dems do). The Bible people will probably get some fine, and that will be that. If the situation were reversed (i.e. fags at a Bible meeting), you folks would be screaming for their heads. Sorry guys, I'm just trying to look at this objectively. Please don't flame me for it.
Have you lost it? The cops arrested people for quoting scripture and say it's a hate crime. I have no idea what religion you claim but my Bible tells me to take the gospel to the whole world, that also includes homosexuals. Your comments sound like socialist/communist ideology which would have no religious freedom or discussion in public.Judical activists have pushed religion out of public life and are now working to stamp it out completely where public discussion of it is concerned.
You nalied it. However your message is falling on deaf ears with NurdlyPeon.
Well you use of language is more than flameworthy. "Bible people" and "fag" come on. Anyone has the right to walk on the sidewalk and it is still a free country for the most part, yes maybe the Christians that were there were kind of in your face, but by no means did they break any law, much less ethnic intimidation (why is that even a law?). If you did watch the video you will see the Christians were moved from one spot to another, they weren't around any homosexuals "paid" areas. If anyone was intimidated it was the Christians. If homosexuals came to a Church and started to cause trouble they would be in violation of the law, same with a Bible meeting. I didn't flame you, but you sure are asking for it by your post.
Deaf ears is right.
You can go to my website at http://www.lifeandlibertyministries.com to see what we are specifically charged with.
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