Posted on 12/16/2004 8:15:22 AM PST by OB1kNOb
Appeal to the Supreme Court last hope for Christians
“First, symbols of Christianity are removed from the public square; now, Christians are facing 47 years in prison because they preached the gospel in the public square. Stalin would be proud,” – Brian Fahling, AFA Center for Law and Policy Senior Trial Attorney.
Tupelo, MS - After a federal appeals court denied an emergency appeal to stop prosecution of 11 Christians on Tuesday, Philadelphia Municipal Court Judge William Austin Meehan ordered four of the Christians to stand trial on three felony (criminal conspiracy, ethnic intimidation, and riot) and five misdemeanor charges. If convicted, they could face up to 47 years in prison.
The Christians were arrested on October 10 for praying, singing, and reading scripture during an annual “gay pride” event known as “Outfest” in Philadelphia.
Since the federal courts did not intervene to halt the state prosecution, the last route for the Christians would be an appeal to the Supreme Court says the Christians’ attorney Brian Fahling, senior trial attorney for the American Family Association Center for Law & Policy.
“First, symbols of Christianity are removed from the public square, now, Christians are facing years in prison because they preached the gospel in the public square. Stalin would be proud,” Fahling said.
The federal appeals court in Philadelphia denied emergency relief despite video footage Fahling calls “undisputed evidence” that shows the Christians cooperating with police and continually being harassed by the Pink Angels, a group of homosexuals organized to impede the gospel message. Philadelphia city prosecutor in the case, Charles Ehrlich, attacked the Christians as “hateful” and referred to preaching the Bible as “fighting words,” the judge agreed.
Charges were dropped against the remaining seven apparently because they were not seen quoting scripture on the videotape.
The Philadelphia case represents another example of discrimination toward Christians,” said Tim Wildmon, president of the American Family Association national headquarters. “The past month has poured forth cases of Christian persecution seen in the higher education institution, public school systems, and the judicial court system.”
Center for Law and Policy
Contact: Kathryn Hooks 662-844-5036 American Family Association P.O. Drawer 2440 Tupelo, MS 38803 1-662-680-3886
Those gays have a right to assembly which shouldn't be infringed, but the Christians were charged with criminal conspiracy, possession of instruments of crime, reckless endangerment of another person, ethnic intimidation, riot, failure to disperse, disorderly conduct and obstructing highways. Those charges are pretty laughable after watching that video.
bttt
My understanding is that the homosexual group had a permit to parade, and the 11 "martyrs" were attempting to crash said homosexual parade.
My opinion is that making an ass of oneself isn't the best possible way to witness... Furthermore, the idea that these people are being prosecuted due to their Christianity is downright silly. They're being prosecuted for, in general, being disorderly in public.
As Paul Harvey would say ... "What's the rest of the story?"
Read 109. It's becoming SOP.
You think there would be a Federal appeals court in Philadelphia, MS?
Don't be misled by the by-line. It's "Tupelo, MS" only because that's where the story originated, in the offices of the AFA Center for Law and Policy.
freeeee has been here longer than you and I pal. You've been here longer than me. That must mean freeeee is smarter than you and you smarter than me. Is that how it works? (it's been a long 5 minutes...
Before you defend Kinsey any more, please inform yourself. Do a search. Read what those who have studied his life and works have to say.
Was Hitler less guilty because he didn't personally torture and kill any Jews?
This sounds like a passage from One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich.
The Old Believers were sent to Siberia simply because they were Old Believers.
Stalin would be proud.
Did you take a look at the video yet?
Leftists/secularists/atheists/homosexualists *and* Chinese communists want religion where it belongs, in the closet.
Separation of church and the entire public life. Is that what it says in the Constitution? That everyone is entitled to complete freedom from ever having to witness any religious expression?
Actually, the full quote - which seems very appropriate here - is, "Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under your feet and turn again and rend you."
It means that someone who has been here a few months has little credibility when it comes to attacking a long-term Freeper's credentials on this site.
We still don't know for sure about babies and orgasms. We only have the testimony of the depraved.
jwalsh, do you have an URL for the press release?
Thanks!
Therefore when thou dost an alms-deed, sound not a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be honoured by men. Amen I say to you, they have received their reward.
But when thou dost alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doth.
That thy alms may be in secret, and thy Father who seeth in secret will repay thee.
And when ye pray, you shall not be as the hypocrites, that love to stand and pray in the synagogues and corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men: Amen I say to you, they have received their reward.
But thou when thou shalt pray, enter into thy chamber, and having shut the door, pray to thy Father in secret, and thy father who seeth in secret will repay thee.
And when you are praying, speak not much, as the heathens. For they think that in their much speaking they may be heard.
Be not you therefore like to them for your Father knoweth what is needful for you, before you ask him."
I didn't mean You in the personal sense.
Sorry about that, I could have worded it better.
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