Christians Face 47 Years in Prison Because Philly Judge Calls Bible Verses

Raiders News Update ^ | 12/16/04 | Kathryn Hooks

[OB1kNOb]

When (not if) Christianity is outlawed, will they have enough evidence to convict you?

[2banana]

Dear Editor (Philly Inquirer),

A few days ago, a group of citizens (11 to be exact) were arrested on public property for peacefully talking and demonstrating.

And even though these 11 citizens were verbally abused, harassed and spat upon by a hostile crowd, they remained peaceful and fully cooperated with the police.

Yet they 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.

They are facing up to 47 years in jail each.

Now, in any normal society, the major newspapers of that city would be up in arms over such reckless thrashing of the First Amendment. They would logically come to the conclusion that their entire business (and jobs) are based on the preservation of the First Amendment and any abuse that could be use to silence peaceful citizens could one day be used to silence them.

But that is not how the city of Philadelphia works.

First Amendment "privileges" are now reserved for those who agree with the social policies of the media and of City Hall. Disagreement brings marginality and arrest.

Because the "Philadelphia 11" were evangelical Christians at a homosexual festival.

Not even in the darkest days of "Jim Crow" laws have such power and venom been brought to bear to silence a part of society.

Oh yeah, and the "possession of instruments of crime" - that was a Bible. The "ethnic intimidation" - that is from the newest "victim" category of "sexual orientation" to Pennsylvania's hate crime law where now you can be arrested for talking about the Bible in the wrong company.

And all this happened within walking distance of where the US Constitution was written and signed.

Regards,

2banana

[orionblamblam]

Hmm. What's more likely here... a peaceful group just politely trotting out Bible verses... or were they doing more that is not being reported on?

Massive (and easily overturned) miscarriage of justice, or spin doctoring...

[Chad Fairbanks]

This is a friggin outrage.

[Bluegrass Conservative]

The Christians were arrested on October 10 for praying, singing, and reading scripture during an annual “gay pride” event known as “Outfest” in Philadelphia.

I sense that there is more to the story. What are the exact charges?

[msjhall]

Yeah, somethink stinks about this story. I would like some clarification. Any links?

[chaosagent]

I think this is Philadelphia, MISSISSIPPI, not Pennsylvania.

[little jeremiah]

Here's a link to another article about this, apparently with a video one of the protesters took. Haven't checked it out.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1301785/posts

[Juan Medén]

Just yesterday we were notified by the local historical society that we must relocate our Bible study/prayer time off of county property because it was "religious." A local church that has done a Christmas pageant every year as part of the local festivities has been told it will not be allowed to participate next year because its program was too evangelistic! We are busy collecting the information and are about to take a stand. The time is not coming. The time has come.

[OB1kNOb]

"I sense that there is more to the story. What are the exact charges?"


.....three felony (criminal conspiracy, ethnic intimidation, and riot) and five misdemeanor charges.

[melbell]

I was born in Tupelo. So was Elvis.

[Modernman]

Hmm. What's more likely here... a peaceful group just politely trotting out Bible verses... or were they doing more that is not being reported on?

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

[KJacob]

Yet they 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.

Do not ask me what "ethnic intimidation" is.

[Calpernia]

ping!

[Bluegrass Conservative]

.....three felony (criminal conspiracy, ethnic intimidation, and riot) and five misdemeanor charges.

Whoops! Missed that. Sorry. Typically, "riot" charges involve an unruly crowd that assembles on public property without going through a license application process. Could that be what this is?

[Calpernia]

Are there any public transcripts out on this yet?

[crazyhorse691]

Something is out of joint here. Sounds like some third world country with madeup laws. Got to be more to it.

[little jeremiah]

Homosexual Agenda Overlap with Moral Absolutes Ping.

(Since I lost many of the names on the M.A. list, ping me if anyone wants: On/Off/Back On either list.)

More on the protestors at the "Outfest". Check the link in my comment above to a FR thread that has a link to the video.

So - quotes from the Bible are "fighting words", and the perps who are the really bad ones are the ones who had the temerity to actually vocalize words from the Bible.

Is anyone reminded of anything? Like the Third Reich?

[Bluegrass Conservative]

Do not ask me what "ethnic intimidation" is.

Since when is homosexuality an ethnic class? Or were they specifically targeting black homosexuals? lol

[wideawake]

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