Replies

I detest "hate crime" legislation. Something is either a crime or it isn't.

I didn't see in the article what the 4 still charged are alleged to have done and that makes it impossible to offer an opinion about the charge against them. Making people feel uncomfortable - not a crime. Assault - a crime, no matter who does it or why. What exactly were these folks doing?

Since I don't know what the protestors were doing, the following observations may or may not apply. In general, I'm not in favor of "in-your-face" counter demonstrations simply meant to disrupt somebody else's event. They produce a lot of heat and not much light. I hate it when the other side does it to me, so the Golden Rule says I don't do it to them.

As a Christian, simply expressing my anger or rage at homosexual political posturing doesn't say everything I want to say. I doubt that too many converts are made in shouting matches, and Jesus did say, "Love your enemies." Hate the sin - love the sinner. I think there are better ways to fight for what's right.

bin2baghdad, you said:

"I didn't see in the article what the 4 still charged are alleged to have done and that makes it impossible to offer an opinion about the charge against them. Making people feel uncomfortable - not a crime. Assault - a crime, no matter who does it or why. What exactly were these folks doing?"

My response:
There were absolutley no laws violated. Repeatedly, the police were asked, "What law have we violated." They would not respond. I was one of the arrested individuals so I can tell you first hand what happened. We went to the event with one goal in mind, and it wasn't to "protest". We went there to share messiah with the crowds at the event. Several of us had scripture banners. Only two of our number were going to preach and the rest of the evelen were going to pass out literature and talk one-on-one with the people. The term "protestor" puts a negative spin on what we were doing. There were approximately 12 blocks in which we were going to conduct our outreach. We didn't go there to cause trouble and if it hadn't been for the "Pink Angels" assualting us, we would have had a good day with no trouble. The police had met on four occasions with the homosexuals leading up to the event to discuss what they would do if Christians showed up. This was revealed by Chief Tiano in our preliminary hearing. In past years Christians had done just what we wee planning to do without incident. We stayed within the law. No one was screamed at, assaulted, spit at, pushed, etc. etc.

Our goal was to share messiah with the crowds and we behaved properly.

You said:

Since I don't know what the protestors were doing, the following observations may or may not apply. In general, I'm not in favor of "in-your-face" counter demonstrations simply meant to disrupt somebody else's event. They produce a lot of heat and not much light. I hate it when the other side does it to me, so the Golden Rule says I don't do it to them.

My response:
This was not a "in-your-face" counter demonstrations simply meant to disrupt somebody else's event" The event was going to go on with or without us. 30,000 homosexuals were expected to attend and our presence wasn't going to interupt the event. This area was huge and we were just a small group of Christians seeking to speak to those who would listen.

You said:
As a Christian, simply expressing my anger or rage at homosexual political posturing doesn't say everything I want to say. I doubt that too many converts are made in shouting matches, and Jesus did say, "Love your enemies." Hate the sin - love the sinner. I think there are better ways to fight for what's right.

My response:
I agree with the above statement and so would the rest of the group that was arrested. We did not go in anger and had no other motive than simply obeying the scriptures that command us to "go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature." When there is a group of 30,000 lost people in one location, it is a prime location to take the Good News. The only reason we didn't have many great conversations and opportunities to share the gospel in depth, was because we were immediately assualted by a small mob of militants and hauled away within fifteen minutes.

I never had the impression that the "11" were antagonistic from any of the articles I've read. Anyone who has shared the gospel of Jesus Christ with a lost soul on a regular basis will testify that sinners convicted by the Holy Spirit will sometimes become irate. It's the message not the messenger that produces such anger in them. John 3:19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. The homosexuals don't want "anyone" to say "anything" against their lifestyle. I hope you'll watch the video and read these other links to get some background on this case. You'll be up to speed if you do. Video of Christians at Outfest in Philadelphia

FR Compiliation: Background on Michael Marcavage (Leader of Christian Group Arrested in Philly)

Christianity now "hate crime": the bible is "hate speech" subject to seizure

My understanding is the Judge has gone after only those who
cited Scripture.(On the vidiotape) They were apparantly told they could not be blocked from the sidewalks.And None of sp called Pink angels who surrounded them and tried to
shout them down using blasphemy and cursing and police wistles were charged only the Christians who cited Scripture
This in th eCity that displays the Liberty Bell with Leviticus XXV:X -where Ben Franklin noted in 1787 "We are
assured ,Sir, in the Sacred Writings that Except the Lord build the house they labor in vain that build it."Where James Wilson taught American Law and noted Our laws must not
violate Divine Law.In Philly -divine Law is now Hate speech.