Posted on 02/09/2007 1:57:04 AM PST by dbehsman
Two men who are members of Gideons International, the Christian organization that is famous for, among other ministries, placing Bibles in motels and giving them to children, have been arrested after trying to hand out Bibles on a public sidewalk in Florida, according to a law firm.
Officials with the Alliance Defense Fund have confirmed they will be representing Anthony Mirto and Ernest Simpson, who were arrested, booked into jail and charged with trespassing.
Jeremy Tedesco, one of the ADF's lawyers on the case, confirmed to WND that the organization's clients were on a public sidewalk when they were handing out Bibles and school officials summoned police.
(Story continues below)
(Excerpt) Read more at worldnetdaily.com ...
I am also so THRILLED that the stupid sheriffs department has so much time on their hands, that instead of going after drug dealers, gang bangers and dopers, they are going after Christians passing out Bibles.
Priorities.
[/sarcasm]
I think it's time to start defunding some schools and some sheriffs departments. I hope the families of these mindless jackasses refuse to speak to them. I would disown any family member of mine who would act so stupidly.
Clearly, these fine Christians did not study nor understand the Eleventh Commandment:
"No Good Deed shall go unpunished."
God Bless them and their efforts. I hope this pro/per-secution comes to naught.
One suspect then wanted the officer's ID, and, "I then handed Simpson … my business card and he continued to walk toward the parked truck," said the police allegation from officer John Perez.
The Officer was wrong here. A business card is not an ID.
"The truck was parked in a no parking zone in front of the school … not on a public street but on school property. The only 'public street' adjacent to the school is Highway U.S. One and there is no parking on the highway," Herrin added.
The Gideons were definitely in the wrong if on school property.
That will teach you to follow police instructions!
This is an OUTRAGE! Of course it will be turn out okay in the courts, but this police action is criminal in itself and there ought to be jail time for all of the Police officers and that Principal! This isn't the former Soviet Union, folks! We must not tolerate such blatant trampling of Christians most basic constitutional rights!
My mother-in-law, a Baptist missionary and wife of a pastor has started leaving Christian literature in the ladies' room at rest stops. She hopes that someone in trouble might find hope in the story of Christ.
However, she also wonders if one day she'll be told that she can't leave those books at a rest stop. We'll see what happens.
If they were on public property and not "school grounds" the principal has no authority.....
If they were in the lobby of the school, yes, outside the school grounds on public property, no.
This is still a free country with right of assembly, freedom of speech, free association and freedom of religion...Isn't it?????
The socialist biotch who passes for the school's principal had them arrested because she says they weren't on public property, they were on school property. I thought that public schools were located on public property.
The Gideons have always been a group of very upstanding people. Not something that can be said of educators.
Don't had out copies of the US Constitution in front of a public school or police may arrest you for pornographic distribution to minors.
Especially the special edition copy I have with the fold out section of Betsy Ross draped in just a flag.....
Facist bs.
When was the last time you were arrested for parking in a no parking zone?When was the last time you saw a sheriff enforce parking ordinances?
I have never parked in a no parking zone.
Local city police and county sheriff’s deputies enforce around here, and if a person gives them lip they would probably be arrested - particularly if it was on school property.
God Bless them and their efforts.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Would you be this enthusiastic if they were handing out free Korans or Books of Mormon?
It seems that the Gideon people recognize ( better that the principal) that children are captives being imprisoned for government indoctrination. Hey! What better place to proselytize than at the prison school gate?
I doubt this would occur at a private school. There would be too many parents around picking up their children. The proselytizers would be discouraged due to the limited access to the children.
> Would you be this enthusiastic if they were handing out free Korans or Books of Mormon?
Yes. And I would support their efforts, and defend their right to distribute their wares, with my life if necessary.
Wouldn't you?
Also a Koran-free zone, a Wiccan-free zone, a Satanist-free zone...
Unless you are happy with all those groups handing out paraphernalia to your kids, also.
Officials with the Alliance Defense Fund ................clients were on a public sidewalk
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