Posted on 07/22/2012 8:35:49 AM PDT by daniel1212
Contemporary Christian music star Michael W. Smith has denounced a recent lawsuit threat from a Utah atheist who wants a concert canceled because of possible church-state concerns.
Smith told The Christian Post that he found the lawsuit threat against the Draper City Council "absurd" and the "craziest thing I've ever heard."
"I don't really have an opinion on the person as I've never met him, but I think the idea of a concert being cancelled because one person threatening a lawsuit is absurd," said Smith.
Smith will be having a concert, titled "Wonder, Worship, and Glory" at the Draper Amphitheater of Draper, Utah, on Tuesday, July 24. It is presented by Warrior Worship Ministries.
According to Fox 13, the Draper City Council helped deposit $21,500 for various expenses and also advertised for the event on the city website. Most of the deposit was refunded via ticket sales.
Todd Ouzts (pronounced "Oots"), a resident of Draper, demanded that the city reconsider holding the event over church-state concerns.
"I … sent an inquiry to Draper's Mayor and City Council and I cited Utah's Constitution, which strictly prohibits ANY public money or property from being used for ANY religious purpose," said Ouzts in a statement.
"Draper City's evasive reply confirmed that the event was illegal under state law, as did their quick attempt to add a disclaimer to the ad on their official government website."
Initially, the city council backtracked and decided to cancel the event due to Ouzts' concerns. However, they reconsidered after several complaints were leveled by people planning to attend the Smith concert.
Todd Walker, a member of Draper City Council, told local media that the city is not promoting the event for religious reasons but for commercial ones instead.
"We're not promoting religion or promoting anything like that. It's just a performance and a show," said Walker in a statement published by Fox 13. "We think we've done everything the way it needs to be done and so we'll go forward with the show. People are counting on it. People have bought tickets, it'll be a great performance."
Smith told The Christian Post that he found the lawsuit threat against the Draper City Council "absurd" and the "craziest thing I've ever heard."
"I don't really have an opinion on the person as I've never met him, but I think the idea of a concert being cancelled because one person threatening a lawsuit is absurd," said Smith.
Smith will be having a concert, titled "Wonder, Worship, and Glory" at the Draper Amphitheater of Draper, Utah, on Tuesday, July 24. It is presented by Warrior Worship Ministries.
According to Fox 13, the Draper City Council helped deposit $21,500 for various expenses and also advertised for the event on the city website. Most of the deposit was refunded via ticket sales.
Todd Ouzts (pronounced "Oots"), a resident of Draper, demanded that the city reconsider holding the event over church-state concerns.
"I … sent an inquiry to Draper's Mayor and City Council and I cited Utah's Constitution, which strictly prohibits ANY public money or property from being used for ANY religious purpose," said Ouzts in a statement.
"Draper City's evasive reply confirmed that the event was illegal under state law, as did their quick attempt to add a disclaimer to the ad on their official government website."
Initially, the city council backtracked and decided to cancel the event due to Ouzts' concerns. However, they reconsidered after several complaints were leveled by people planning to attend the Smith concert.
Todd Walker, a member of Draper City Council, told local media that the city is not promoting the event for religious reasons but for commercial ones instead.
"We're not promoting religion or promoting anything like that. It's just a performance and a show," said Walker in a statement published by Fox 13. "We think we've done everything the way it needs to be done and so we'll go forward with the show. People are counting on it. People have bought tickets, it'll be a great performance."
Maridene Hancock, public relations specialist for Draper, told CP that the city council's involvement was not as significant as Ouzts says. "The Warrior Worship is renting the Draper Amphitheater. No other connection at all," said Hancock, adding that they "rent the Draper facility to all kinds of groups." Derek Spirk, spokesman for the Michael W. Smith tour, told CP that the "Wonder, Worship, and Glory" tour has already been to many locations this year. "The Wonder, Worship, and Glory tour has been in over seven countries and all over the United States this year," said Spirk. "Draper is one of many stops in the United States. Michael is very much looking forward to bringing his tour to Draper." One of the sponsors is the Warrior Worship Project, an evangelical group that focuses its witness to members of the military and veterans.
Atheists are haters.
I’m an atheist and I’m not a hater. Anyone who pays the rent for my city’s auditorium is welcome to use it. That includes Catholics, Protestants, Jews, Muslims, Mormons and Scientologists.
Well, 4 out of 6 ain’t bad.
That’s kind of like a muslim saying “I’m a muslim and I’m not a terrorist”.
Kind of.
Just sayin’
I have no problem if extreme libs and Atheists want a separation of church and state. That means they don’t want our tax dollars right? How great would it be to put Christians tax payer money toward Christian schools and we will surely have enough money left over for public stadium’s etc....
Sounds like a good plan.
Smith will be having a concert, titled "Wonder, Worship, and Glory" at the Draper Amphitheater of Draper, Utah, on Tuesday, July 24. It is presented by Warrior Worship Ministries. According to Fox 13, the Draper City Council helped deposit $21,500 for various expenses and also advertised for the event on the city website. Most of the deposit was refunded via ticket sales.
Nobody is forcing any atheists to attend the concert nor is there going to be any residual “ contamination” from coming in contact with the facilities at a later date for another purpose.
The guy is just a control freak and this needs to be pointed out to those who hold similar positions about private religious groups renting out facilities.
“Warrior Worship” — appropriately named for the task.
The irony of this, is that he hasn’t protested or sued over the many LDS events etc, that involve the same lack of separation of church and state that he claims here. He isn’t targeting the Mormons, just the Christians.
Also, this concert is scheduled for Pioneer Day, the largest holiday in Utah and a very LDS holiday.
The atheists are also planning on picketing the concert. A group of Christians is countering that with bringing them water.
I have yet to meet an atheist who is happy and not angry or hateful.
I’d like to see a band of “moderate” atheists go kick his ars.
From a comparison of conservatives with liberals:
If a conservative is a non-believer, he doesn’t go to church.
A liberal non-believer wants any mention of God and religion silenced. (Unless it’s a seventh century socio-political system masquerading as a religion, of course!)
Hey, you didn’t include atheists in that list. Don’t you guys ever have a get together?
A liberal wants everyone silenced be they talking about God, homosexuals, abortion, global warming, guns, you name it. They just take up the guise in different names and form non-profit organizations that sound good.
A lot of these frivolous lawsuits would be averted with “loser pays”
Jesus is God and he loves you.
He commands that I love you too.
Just saying.
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