Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Christians Face 47 Years in Prison Because Philly Judge Calls Bible Verses
Raiders News Update ^ | 12/16/04 | Kathryn Hooks

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


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; Extended News; News/Current Events; US: Pennsylvania
KEYWORDS: afa; bible; christianpersecution; christians; court; donutwatch; hatecrime; homosexualagenda; michaelmarcavage; outfest; persecution; philadelphia; publicsquare; religion; religiousfreedom; repentamerica; wrongforum
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 41-6061-8081-100 ... 321-339 next last
To: All

This is the video that was posted at WND from the first FR article on this:

http://www.afa.net/clp/videos/philly11.wmv

I just watched it. On the surface this really stinks. I can't see any blatant wrongs done by them.

I must be missing something.


61 posted on 12/16/2004 8:37:34 AM PST by Calpernia (Breederville.com)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Modernman
I'm reserving judgment. I find it hard to believe that all these people were doing was peacefully reading Bible verses.

Sounds like they were also blocking a highway and failing to disperse.

But I agree, there was more going on here. I'd like to hear about it from an objective source (and no, "WND" is not objective).

62 posted on 12/16/2004 8:37:44 AM PST by Drew68
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: wideawake

"I believe that sodomites count as an ethnicity under PA "ethnic intimidation" statutes."

Wonder how the prosecutor can tell the accused aren't "ethnic homosexuals"? Apparently, "ethnic homosexuals" can have a public gathering.


63 posted on 12/16/2004 8:38:22 AM PST by IamConservative (To worry is to misuse your imagination.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 20 | View Replies]

To: OXENinFLA

Your comment is very telling.

This, my friends, is the official beginning of the Hatespeech era.

Quoting scripture is now a crime.


64 posted on 12/16/2004 8:38:23 AM PST by little jeremiah (What would happen if everyone decided their own "right and wrong"?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 56 | View Replies]

To: DJ Taylor
What about a Clinton appointed Federal Judge?

From the article:

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.

It looks like all the Federal judge did was deny an emergency appeal request. These people are being charged in State Court.

65 posted on 12/16/2004 8:38:32 AM PST by Modernman (Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy. --Benjamin Franklin)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 52 | View Replies]

To: freeeee

Wrong. Many here are expressing their opinion, and this is not much
different then a Judge, according to each case by case basis.

If you would take note and read you would see clearly that many
here (including myself) would like more specific information about this
case before passing any solid judgement.

Matter of fact, I'm searching right now to find the names of those
arrested to possibly contact them and gain some facts.
Why? Because we can help our brothers and sisters. Thats why!

So there. Have a nice day.


66 posted on 12/16/2004 8:38:43 AM PST by MaxMax
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 31 | View Replies]

To: wideawake
A NYC police officer was fired because he refused a direct order from his supervisor to take a homeless guy trespassing in a private parking garage into custody. He said it was a matter of conscience and you backed him up on it.

I honestly don't recall that thread. I look forward to seeing what you find in the archives.

BTW, I hope these protesters are released and their rights to free speech and assembly respected. They had every right to do what they did.

67 posted on 12/16/2004 8:39:19 AM PST by freeeee ("Owning" property in the US just means you have one less landlord.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 55 | View Replies]

To: Drew68

What's objective? The Washington Blade?


68 posted on 12/16/2004 8:39:30 AM PST by little jeremiah (What would happen if everyone decided their own "right and wrong"?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 62 | View Replies]

To: OB1kNOb

The article is poorly written. The event was in Philadelphia, PA, not in Mississippi. Those arrested are being represented by the American Family Association, which is based in Mississippi.


69 posted on 12/16/2004 8:39:33 AM PST by malakhi
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: 2banana

Unbelievable!
Welcome to the USSA.


70 posted on 12/16/2004 8:39:49 AM PST by Travis McGee (----- www.EnemiesForeignAndDomestic.com -----)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: OB1kNOb
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

This is INSANE. This is america damnit ... what the h3ll is wrong with these people ?

71 posted on 12/16/2004 8:40:02 AM PST by Centurion2000 (Truth, Justice and the Texan Way)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Modernman
Also, this happened in Mississippi.

See my #69.

72 posted on 12/16/2004 8:40:18 AM PST by malakhi
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 49 | View Replies]

To: little jeremiah
"Why do you think that homosexuals have a right to a festival on the public streets and those who want to protest it don't a right to do so?"

There's a fine line between protesting something and disrupting it. If people have a parade permit, others don't have a right to block the parade just because it's a public street. Now, I don't tknow whether anything like that happened, or whether the protestors were in some other sense trying to disrupt the parade. But I think that at some point speech and protest can verge into actual obstruction, and then you have a legal conundrum.
73 posted on 12/16/2004 8:41:23 AM PST by Steve_Seattle
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 51 | View Replies]

To: lawdvd

Thanks for your input, your cases may help in Philly.


74 posted on 12/16/2004 8:41:58 AM PST by Travis McGee (----- www.EnemiesForeignAndDomestic.com -----)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 48 | View Replies]

To: biblewonk
If this is a "Godhatesfags" type of group then we may not be getting the whole story.

Not from what I could tell in the video.

75 posted on 12/16/2004 8:42:10 AM PST by Pyro7480 (Sub tuum praesidium confugimus, sancta Dei Genitrix.... sed a periculis cunctis libera nos semper...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 32 | View Replies]

To: Juan Medén
In fact, other groups do meet at the same facility. We are being excluded strictly on religious grounds. The director of the historical society indicated so over the telephone.

If the historical society is publicly funded, then this is a violation. Religious groups need to be treated the same as non-religious groups in situations like this.

Keep in mind, the director might simply be ignorant, rather than malicious. A lot of people don't understand the law- they think that government bodies such as schools, community centers etc. have to exclude religious groups from using their premises or they're violating the Constitution. In reality, it's exactly the opposite.

76 posted on 12/16/2004 8:42:15 AM PST by Modernman (Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy. --Benjamin Franklin)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 54 | View Replies]

To: Imaverygooddriver
the California legislature mandated that all 8th graders take a 3 week course in Islam and adopt Islamic names.

This is establishing a religion...in a way...
77 posted on 12/16/2004 8:42:16 AM PST by Edgerunner (The left ain't right. Hand me that launch pickle...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 29 | View Replies]

To: Steve_Seattle

Are you saying that being Gay is equal to a Religion?
Wow. So not only do they want marriage rights, they also
want religious protection for being Gay.

/LAFF


78 posted on 12/16/2004 8:43:24 AM PST by MaxMax
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 53 | View Replies]

To: Electrowoman

Got it, thanks! This is very disturbing.


79 posted on 12/16/2004 8:43:29 AM PST by msjhall
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 30 | View Replies]

To: little jeremiah
Why do you think that homosexuals have a right to a festival on the public streets and those who want to protest it don't a right to do so?

The homosexual groups had a permit from the city to run their event on the public streets. As for those protesting it, their presence was undoubtedly disruptive - that was the point, right? Whether that constitutes a violation of the law, the courts will have to decide.

80 posted on 12/16/2004 8:44:06 AM PST by mvpel (Michael Pelletier)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 51 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 41-6061-8081-100 ... 321-339 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson