Posted on 12/14/2009 8:45:54 PM PST by Libloather
Couple to read biblical story of Christmas at Pistol Creek Station in Maryville
By Melanie Tucker
Last modified: December 11. 2009 10:04PM
A Blount County couple has obtained a demonstration permit to read the biblical Christmas story in a Maryville park Monday night.
Several Blount County churches, including New Hope Independent Baptist Church in Maryville, are expected to join the demonstration.
The reading amounts to a protest of the Maryville mayor's decision to cancel the reading of the Christmas story at its annual tree lighting ceremony, which was held Monday night.
James Raucci and his wife Heather will read from the book of Luke 6 p.m. Monday at the Pistol Creek Station at the pedestrian bridge that leads to the Blount County Public Library. They invite the public to attend.
Maryville Mayor Tom Taylor canceled the two-decades-old tradition after receiving a complaint that questioned whether it is legal for a government entity to participate in a Bible reading.
Taylor checked with the city attorney, who said it is illegal to include readings from the Bible at a city-sponsored function. Taylor wrote a letter to the editor in The Daily Times Friday explaining how the decision was made and said the city had no option but to comply with the law.
“the city had no option but to comply with the law.”
Funny how when the law is to turn in illegals, cities are able to find a way to circumvent “unjust” laws.
A law that was never passed by Congress or signed by the President of the United States.
All of a sudden an opinion of the city attorney is “the law”.
you need a permit to read something outloud?
i’m fairly certain they couldn’t stop you without violating your 1st amendment rights
ask the 'lawyer' to please cite the laws that state it is illegal to read text aloud. the content of the text, be it religious, a recipe, or homo p0rn, would be protected under the first amendment right to free speech. (liberals aren't the only ones that can use the first amendment)
gathering in a park to read such a thing would be protected by the right to assemble, also the first amendment.
the only thing illegal would be the city's demands for a 'permit' (thereby setting the possibility to deny the request) and their efforts to squash others practicing their freedom of expression.
now, the city employees themselves may not be able to read the biblical passages (they could if they did the same of any others requested)... but they would have no authority to stop others.
and in case the 'lawyer' doesn't remember the first amendment:
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
Small towns in TN have been doing this kind of thing forever without complaint and they aren’t going to stop. They will find a way around the new complaints. Our local Walmart hosts gospel singings in summer and so does Hardee’s. People that try to take these kind of traditions away are going to have a fight on their hands.
That's an affirmative.
I saw this on WBIR news and I couldn't believe that it was happening in Maryville. It's the wrong part of the country to be picking these kind of fights.
Welcome to the New Soviet Union, comrade.
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