Christians Face 47 Years in Prison For Reading Bible, Praying On Street

Center for Law and Policy | December 16, 2004

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.”

-- Gail (rothfarms@socket.net), December 18, 2004

Answers

bump

-- Andy S ("ask3332004@yahoo.om), December 18, 2004.

It sounds a little like the end times to me. It's crazy that it would all start over homosexuality.

-- Cameron (shaolin__phoenix@hotmail.com), December 19, 2004.

I haven't done any research on this yet, but I bet they are using the RICO statute against these guys. RICO was enacted initially for use against Racketeers, money launderers, mafia type stuff. Then, several years ago, law enforcement started using it against picketing pro-lifers, etc.!

Over the last few years it has become quite clear that Christianity is the only religion in which bigotry is not only allowed, but promoted!

Gail

-- Gail (rothfarms@socket.net), December 19, 2004.

Is there more of this happening out there Gail? It's almost too easy to dig up stories about persecution of Christians around the world. Never realized it occurred so blatantly in the US too.

-- Andy S ("ask3332004@yahoo.om"), December 23, 2004.

Shouldn't we write to our congessman or something to help our brethren out? Anyone have a good link to track this story?

-- Andy S ("ask3332004@yahoo.com"), December 23, 2004.

Though the possible penalties sound excessive, and will certainly not hold up in court, the fact is these Christians took it upon themselves to break the law, and should therefore expect to receive civil penalties. I'm not making any judgment about whether they should or should not have done what they did. Sometimes there is just reason to disregard civil law. Still, if you choose to do so, you suffer the consequences just like anyone else. You can't infiltrate a legal gathering and disrupt it by attempting to force your own contrary position, and expect to walk away without any legal sanction. If a group of people walk into a Right to Life gathering with pro-abortion posters and start passing out pro-abortion literature and shouting pro-abortion slogans, wouldn't we expect legal action to be taken? Sure, they have a legal right to express their own views, but not in that setting. From a strictly legal perspective, what's the difference between that scenario and the actions taken by these Christians?

-- Paul M. (PaulCyp@cox.net), December 23, 2004.

No, Paul, I think you're wrong. This article says they were in the "public square." Additionally, these types of attacks have been launched against Christian kids in public schools ALL OVER as well, which is clearly a breach of their Constitutional rights.

Secondly, surely you are familiar with the RICO statutes, (which was initially legislated to use against racketeers), being used against anti-abortion demonstrators NOW!

And yes, to the question above, there are things like this happening ALL THE TIME! Check out World Net Daily's Headlines today. Also, go to ACLJ.org which is a group of lawyers that take on the ACLJ at the Supreme Court level.

The fact is that our rights in this country AS CHRISTIANS are being incrementally DESTROYED. We best wake up!!

Gail

-- Gail (rothfarms@socket.net), December 23, 2004.

Here is a quote from the below-linked artice on this matter:

*********

"Charles Ehrlich, the city prosecutor in the case, has called the Christian protestors "hateful" and referred to preaching the Bible as using "fighting words."

*********

"Hate" speech is what they categorized this under, and that's how they are using the "hate speech" legislation recently enacted against Christians. Anyone who speaks out against homosexuality is being censured as a "hate monger." That "hate speech" legislation was passed during the Clinton years, I think.

You guys probably aren't aware of this, but several years ago, there was legislation (thankfully killed) whereby the FCC was geared to "shut-down" Christian radio under the same "hate speech" legistation. Seems to me I read somewhere that some group had filed suits against the Vatican using the same legalities. Check out Zarove's thread on the Rev. Moon thing, and check out World Net Daily's other headlines. There is a "clamp-down" already being engineered against Christians who have the audacity to say that "Jesus is Lord," "there is a right and wrong," "homosexuality and abortion are sins," or that "there is a heaven AND A HELL!"

http://www.cnsnews.com/ViewCulture.asp?Page=%5CCulture%5Carchive% 5C200412%5CCUL20041216c.html

-- Gail (rothfarms@socket.net), December 23, 2004.

You guys probably aren't aware of this, but several years ago, there was legislation (thankfully killed) whereby the FCC was geared to "shut-down" Christian radio under the same "hate speech" legistation. - Gail

I think that one was one of those email hoaxes that went around.

-- Andy S ("ask332004@yahoo.com"), December 24, 2004.

No, Andy, when this happened several years, St. Louis, Kansas City, and Hannibal's FM Christian Radio stations were broadcasting the reports. I'll see if I can find something reputable on line. Meanwhile, I stumbled across this report at the Family Research Council's website:

Hate Crimes Update by: Mr. Andrew Cincotta

A House-Senate conference committee is currently considering an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2005 (H.R. 2400) that will expand federal hate crime statutes. The amendment would give hate crime status to crimes committed against individuals based on their sexual orientation. Such legislation could lead to preferential treatment under the law and could chill First Amendment rights.

Pro-family advocates are urging that the amendment, which passed the U.S. Senate, be stripped from the Defense Authorization bill.

The amendment enlarges the definition of hate crimes to include crimes committed on the basis of gender, sexual orientation, and disabilities. Current law defines hate crimes as acts committed only on the basis of race, color, religion, or nation of origin. If passed by Congress, the new bill would greatly expand the federal government's power to prosecute hate crimes cases.

Similar legislation has already been passed on the state level. On September 22, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed into law the Omnibus Hate Crimes Act which also extends hate crimes to include crimes against individuals based on sexual orientation. Several other states currently have similar bills pending approval.

There is growing concern that new hate crime legislation, as defined by these state and federal governments, will have a negative impact on First Amendment free speech rights. In particular, new hate crime laws could potentially suppress speech that is seen as critical of the homosexual and transgender communities. Judgment of hate crimes are often based on the perception of the victim, and consequently, Christian and other religious organizations and individuals could potentially be prosecuted on the grounds of committing hate crimes merely for expressing their beliefs on homosexuality, in public, or even in church.

The removal of freedoms by such legislation is not without precedent. Earlier this year Canada passed a similar hate crimes bill which makes public criticism of homosexuality a criminal offense. In a recent case in Sweden, a pastor was arrested for reading Bible verses concerning homosexuality to his congregation. England and Australia have also experienced similar breeches of free speech on the basis of "hate."

The prevention of hate crimes sounds good. After all, crimes committed on the grounds of hate, for any reason, are indefensible. Yet by making legislation specifically targeted to protecting individuals on the basis of sexual orientation, Congress is opening the door to a situation that could seriously affect the free speech rights of American citizens. Pro-family organizations are encouraged to pressure Congress to remove the hate crimes amendment.

- Andrew D. Cincotta, Witherspoon Fellow

Here's their link:http://www.frc.org/get.cfm?i=CU04J01

-- Gail (rothfarms@socket.net), December 24, 2004.

Hi Andy, The "Fairness Doctrine" is the legislation that would allow censorship of Christian Radio, and categorize anything "anti- homosexual" as "hate speech." The Fairness Doctrine was repealed by Reagan, but there are those who have tried, and failed thus far, to resurrect this legislation.

Here is another article found at Family Research along these lines. (Note paragraph 6 concerning the Catholic Catechism!!!!)

Swedish "Hate Crimes" Law Could Target Christians; Senate Vote Raises U.S. Concern by: Timothy J. Dailey, Ph. D.

Lawmakers in Sweden have given initial approval to a constitutional amendment that could criminalize "hate speech" against homosexuals. The amendment, passed by the Swedish parliament in May, targets Nazi and racist hate organizations, BUT ALSO INCLUDES CHURCH SERMONS THAT EXPRESS MORAL DISAPPROVAL OF HOMOSEXUAL BEHAVIOR.

The Swedish constitution places limits upon freedom of expression, including speech that would "imply the unfavorable treatment of a citizen because he belongs to a minority group by reason of race, color, or ethnic origin" (Chapter 2, Articles 13 & 15). The amendment, which must be approved by one more votes later this year, adds "sexual orientation" to the list of minority groups.

In a formal explanatory note to the parliament, Goran Lambertz, the Swedish chancellor of justice, declared that references in a sermon to homosexuality being sinful "might" constitute a criminal offense under the amendment. Those convicted face up to two years in prison.

Lambertz told Christianity Today that while the legislation is concerned with Nazis, not Christians, "the same rules apply everywhere, and I am sure there will be court cases defining [hate speech] also in the religious context."

Homosexual organizations have stated that they intend to report ministers who "speak disparagingly" about homosexuals in sermons. The Swedish Federation for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Rights has demanded that the law be applied to churches, and says it will report "hate speech irrespective of where it occurs."

Swedish Christians and pastors understand the amendment to mean that they are allowed to quote biblical passages that refer to homosexuality, but are not permitted to state that those teachings are applicable today. ANOTHER POSSIBLE TARGET OF THE AMENDMENT IS THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CATECHISM, which teaches that homosexual behavior is sinful.

Pro-family advocates, noting the recent passage in the U.S. Senate of a bill that would include "sexual orientation" in hate-crime laws, fear that the criminalization of public opposition to homosexuality will also become a reality here in America.

- TJD

This is already happening in California. See this link http://www.frc.org/get.cfm?i=CM04J11

-- Gail (rothfarms@socket.net), December 24, 2004.

Gail,

We may be talking about two different things. This is what I was referring to.

Here's an excerpt:

"FCC Bans Religious Broadcasting

February 2000

The following rumor has achieved legend status with people writing in comments about an FCC petition that does not exist. The FCC has commented on this rumor and has indicated that it is all a fake. In fact, "There is no federal law or regulation that gives the FCC the authority to prohibit radio and television stations from presenting religious programs. Actually, the Communications Act (the law that established the FCC and defines its authority) prohibits the FCC from censoring broadcast material and interfering with freedom of speech in broadcasting. " So the FCC could not take action on such a petition even if it did exist. "

-- Andy S ("ask3332004@yahoo.com"), December 24, 2004.

Hi Andy, my point is, that if Congress were to resurrect the Fairness Doctrine (which some have tried to do recently) that would give the FCC the legal authority to "censor" what it deems "hate-speech." I posted the other articles so you could see what can happen if this type of legislation is passed, particularly the Swedish article.

Our Government is not going to legislate outright "Anti-Christian" legislation, BUT there's "more than one way to skin the cat," and one way is under the so-called "hate speech" legislation. If the Fairness Doctrine is ever resurrected, you can certainly expect just that to happen.

-- Gail (rothfarms@socket.net), December 24, 2004.

I see what you're saying Gail.

-- Andy S ("ask3332004@yahoo.com), December 24, 2004.

FAIRST AMNDMENT OUT, hATE sPEECH LEGISLATION AND GOVEMRNT CONTORLED THINKING IN...

-- ZAROVE (ZAROFF3@JUNO.COM), December 30, 2004.

when i try to research something in the bible and if i find it i find really good ideas. we are very close to the end but maybe not as soon as u think. like before the tremendous tsunami. even if it does happen in the world countless times it can still do something. the earthquake was the biggest they've gotten in many decades. if you want to know if the end is near look to the skies and you will possibly see a man in the night skies, earthquakes in various places, strange weather (possibly although not thoroughly searched and proven), world will try to become one as to unite with peace. a person is alive who is tryign to bring WORLD WORLD peace. the one that signifies that the end is near. Sudan Hussein wanted to rebuild the tower of babel. the same one that was interrupted by god near the beginnings. if you study carefully they are near. Mad cow disease. people are mad to try to make the cows sick like that. so many gay couples and marriages. not that i have any offense against them but it does state in the bible that you should not be with a man as a man would with a woman. you know what i mean. to hear those people imprisoned for our RIGHTS is outrageous. even some americans who don't believe should know not to bother them because america started from a catholic religion which is similar to to christianity i guess. thigns like that. i hate to hear these kind of things but this shows that the end is coming. we shouldn't help each other by giving our faith to others but help them raise their own so that they may be saved. if you have no faith or not worthy as jesus would see he would leave you stranded here. in the bible there is a story about the parables of the (i forgot the number) virgins. there people were asked to go to a wedding. the virgins brought their candles. half of them brought a jar along filled with extra oil. the rest didn't. the couples supposing to get married didn't come till later on. all fell asleep and lost their oil in the candle. the half of the virgins who had oil in jars used it but the virgins who didn't bring it asked if they could borrow. the ones with jars told them to buy new oil for themselves. when they did they were too late for the marriage and the door was shut tight. when they knocked a man said that they do not know them anylonger. that man is God. we should be the ones with oils in jars. resemble your faith to that.

-- JoeKP (joekinplaya@orangeday.net), January 06, 2005.

This was posted at my other Christian board:

I just got this in my email from the One Million Mom's website.

January 5, 2005 PENNSYLVANIA CHRISTIANS FACE 47 YEARS IN PRISON FOR READING THE BIBLE IN PUBLIC Philadelphia charges Christians with hate crimes, inciting a riot, and using a deadly weapon.

Bill O'Reilly reported on the situation on Fox News Channel.

Dear XXXXX,

What we have been saying has now happened. You cannot quote what the Bible has to say about homosexuality in public or you will be charged with a "hate crime." Philadelphia is only the beginning. If we fail to take a stand here, this "crime" will soon be applied across America.

In the 27 years of this ministry, I have never witnessed a more outrageous miscarriage of justice than what is happening in Philadelphia. Four Christians are facing up to 47-years in prison and $90,000 in fines for preaching the Gospel on a public sidewalk, a right fully protected by the First Amendment.

On October 10, 2004, the four Christians were arrested in Philadelphia. They are part of Repent America. Along with founder Michael Marcavage, members of Repent America—with police approval-- were preaching near Outfest, a homosexual event, handing out Gospel literature and carrying banners with Biblical messages.

When they tried to speak, they were surrounded by a group of radical homosexual activists dubbed the Pink Angels. A videotape of the incident shows the Pink Angels interfering with the Christians’ movement on the street, holding up large pink symbols of angels to cover up the Christians’ messages and blowing high pitched whistles to drown out their preaching.

Rather than arrest the homosexual activists and allow the Christians to exercise their First Amendment rights, the Philadelphia police arrested and jailed the Christians!

They were charged with eight crimes, including three felonies: possession of instruments of crime (a bullhorn), ethnic intimidation (saying that homosexuality is a sin), and inciting a riot (reading from the Bible some passages relating to homosexuality) despite the fact that no riot occurred.

You may think I am exaggerating. I’m not. Our AFA Center for Law and Policy is representing these four individuals at no cost. We will take this case all the way to the Supreme Court if necessary to get justice.

There is so much more about this case I don't have room for it in this letter. We have prepared a 25-minute VHS/DVD in which two AFA- CLP attorneys discuss the case in detail.

Please help us with our expenses in representing these committed Christians. With your tax-deductible gift of $15, less than the cost of a cup of coffee once a month for the next year, we will send your choice of either the VHS or DVD. Watch the VHS/DVD, then share it with your Sunday school class and church. This VHS/DVD should be required viewing in every church in America.

Click here to get your copy of the Philadelphia 4 Story Thanks for caring enough to get involved. We must not allow this travesty of justice to continue. Sincerely,

Donald E. Wildmon, Chairman OneMillionMoms.com

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It's Not Gay It's Not Gay presents a story that few have heard, allowing former homosexuals the opportunity to tell their own story in their own words. A great resource for use with Sunday School classes.

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-- (faith01@myway.com), January 06, 2005.

First they came for the Jews and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew. Then they came for the Communists and I did not speak out because I was not a Communist. Then they came for the trade unionists and I did not speak out because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for me and there was no one left to speak out for me....... By Pastor Niemoller

The WorldNetDaily article went on to say the U.S. Justice Department is "not likely to take up the cause of the five criminally charged Christians who believe Philadelphia officials violated their civil rights."

Did you catch that? The Justice Department will refuse to investigate the treatment of the arrested Christians because some homosexual attorneys from the Justice Department were advising the Philadelphia police on how to arrest the Christians!!!!

WorldNetDaily, quoting their source inside the Justice Department, said the Christians were charged with "ethic intimidation (hate crimes) 'at the recommendation of some of our (Department of Justice) attorneys who were at the march.'"

In fact, Chief Inspector Tiano, who serves as liaison to the homosexual community, testified at the preliminary hearing that he met at least four times with the organizers of the Outfest event in anticipation of the protesters' activities, presumably to discuss how to handle the "Christians" when they showed up at the event. He also said he had 40 officers on site that day. He did not meet with any of the Christians!

There appears to be collusion in this travesty of justice that goes to high levels of both the Justice Department and Philadelphia. A trail date will be set soon.

Would you stand with these Christians who are defending our constitutional right of free speech? We are asking you to stand with these four Christians by doing the following actions.

Send the email to the Department of Justice asking for an investigation of this situation.

One final request. Please forward this to your friends and family. And thanks for caring enough to get involved.

Sincerely,

Donald E. Wildmon, Chairman OneMillionMoms.com

-- (faith01@myway.com), January 09, 2005.

What next? We will accept pedophiles in 20 yrs from now. Will we be forced by the "Thought Police" to accept that. Or perhaps it will be a hate crime to speak out against sex between animals and humans 20yrs from now. I predicted 10 yrs ago this would happen as I saw Government become more and more obtrusive under the disguise of the 80+ yr failure, known in the 1980's as the drug war. Christians need to understand one thing, if your kids are on drugs you better get them off yourself, when you have a problem in essence you better stop giving those responsibilities to government. Otherwise I will predict in 20 yrs America will cease to be a democracy. Especially if Constitution keeps being eroded through ludicrous laws like "Hate Crimes" and "Drug Wars". May I remind all Christians, even God hates certain things. As for me and my house we will serve the Lord and not the next new fangled idea that comes from man.

-- Dave (daveln1@yahoo.com), January 12, 2005.

Everything everyone has said here is right on the money. I do wonder though if some are not working for Satan either deliberately or unconciously. I know there are some Christian groups ( or so they claim ) who blantantly yell things like "Die in hell homo" and many other things, but thier approach is all wrong. Of the many things I know about the Lord, two stand out here. One is that when Jesus spoke to the woman at the well all he said to her was "Who condemns you?" and she said "No man", and he responded by saying "Go and sin no more". He didn't say go and commit more adultery, but also notice what she responded with "NO MAN!". She knew that God would condemn her if she didn't repent, and she knew he was the Son of God. The other one is, Jesus doesn't go where he isn't wanted. Jesus gave up on going back to places who wanted nothing more to do with him. Most people have heard the Gospel at least once country, so why go where the people who have already have heard the message, and don't want to hear it. The fact that this group call themselves the pink angels and zeroed in on Christians trying to give a message tells me they all have heard the message. If Jesus didn't go where he was wanted, neither should we. Don't get me wrong, we have both the right to freedom of speech and freedom of religion. I spent almost 20 years in the military in defence of that right. I like what the one guy in this forum said, the end is near. Yes, we are coming to a close. The technology for the mask of the beast is here. Matthew chapter 24 is being fullfilled. How many of you have looked at II Timothy chapter 3? It describes this generation of people to a tee. Also we should all be praying for the Lords return. Isn't it ironic though, our life span is typically 70 to 80 years, and when we get anything that threatens our health we run right to the doctors to take care of our physical ailments, and are fearful of dying ( the unsaved that is ). But when it comes to our spiritual health, we are afraid to come to the Doctor The Lord Jesus Christ for our spiritual healing so that our spititual body will not die, and many scoff at that idea. Have you noticed how much emphasis was placed on Leprosy in the old testament, you know why? Leprosy was a physical metaphor ( Leprosy slowy kills all nerve endings in your body, which deadens your sense of pain to the point that you injure yourself without knowing it ) of that which is Spiritual, Leprosy is to our nerves, as sin is to our morality! Well, peace in Israel is a key point to end of times, and keep an eye on who from the European community brokers the deal or deals, he is likely to be the antichrist. Stay in prayer about our rights to free speech and religion, remember Christ is on the Throne in Heaven, nothing that is happening is taking him by surprise, and no weapon formed shall prosper against us brothers and sisters in the Lord. I think the best thing we can do as Christians, is do like the Lord ( they already know thier sinning and so does the other %100 of America, including myself when I do ) treat them with kindness and love to show them we are who we say we are, that is what will win them over. They are no different than a liar, a cheat, thief, murderer, and so on, because what does the Bible say, They who live by the law, shall die by it, and thay who are under the law, are guilty of it, whether they break it by one point, or all ( for that matter just being born! ) I have never called anyone a sinner, or pointed out a particular sin, I just tried to walk with Jesus in his power and win people to God. None the less brothers and sisters in Christ keep watching the Rapture is not far off ( even if it may be 100 years from now, that is soon ) we live in exciting times to be a Christian, and if we see the Rapture we are "PRIVELAGED! GOD BLESS

-- Al (rrrussh@juno.com), February 12, 2005.

Great post--thanks Al...

I wait and I pray : )

-- (faith01@myway.com), February 12, 2005.