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| Topic: American Gestapo police...Praying in park called 'disorderly | |
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http://www.wnd.com/index.php?pageId=126712
Praying in park called 'disorderly conduct' Conviction 'ridiculous,' says attorney. 'This never should have happened' A New York man is appealing a "disorderly conduct" conviction for praying in a public park. Julian Raven, defended by the Alliance Defense Fund, was arrested while praying in an Elmira public park during a 2007 "gay pride" event. "It's ridiculous to consider the act of peacefully exercising one's faith in a public park to be 'disorderly conduct,'" said ADF Senior Legal Counsel Joel Oster. "The county court was correct in dismissing three of the convictions. They never should have happened. We are hopeful that the New York Court of Appeals will dismiss the fourth." The WND reported when the original convictions of four people were appealed. Three of the convictions already have been overturned. Wisner Park in Elmira, N.Y. Originally, seven people were arrested for praying during the June 23, 2007, homosexual festival in Elmira's Wisner Park that was promoted by city officials. Three defendants were removed from the case almost immediately, leaving four to be convicted by Elmira city judge Thomas Ramich of "disorderly conduct." The convictions for three – Gloria Raven, Maurice Kienenberger and Walter Quick – later were overturned in the Chemung County Court. The legal team defending the Christians reported the event was advertised by the city as open to the public. The Christians "made their way to an area in front of the stage and began to pray silently while lying prostrate in the grass. A police sergeant had earlier informed Julian Raven that he could not enter the public park, walk through the park, or talk to anyone in the park about his religion. After the group began to pray silently on their faces, all were arrested and charged with disorderly conduct," the organization reported. Court records show that a Sgt. Sharon Moyer told Raven he could not disrupt the event. So, the ADF reported, he and the others "entered the event to pray silently for event participants and to share the Gospel with them." "There was plenty of room in the park. No one was being turned away. They walked in silence. Neither the defendant nor anyone from the group bumped into anyone as they entered and they did not force others out of the way," ADF said. They walked to a grassy area near the front, kneeled down or laid down, and prayed. "They chose this posture in order to be as non-threatening as possible," ADF said. Moyer reported she made the arrests because she was concerned that the "pridefest' participants might react with hostility to the Christians." ADF argues that under the First and Fourteenth amendments to the U.S. Constitution, "peaceful speakers may not be arrested simply because others in the forum may react to their message in a hostile manner." "The lower courts in this case ruled that the arrests were proper because the defendant must have known that other event participants would respond with hostility. This, however, is precisely what the … cases prohibit," the ADF asserts. When the Christians were arrested, officials with Elmira justified their actions to WND. Assistant Police Chief Mike Robertson told WND at the time that the members were accused of a "combination" of allegations, including the "intent" to cause a public inconvenience, a "disturbance" of a meeting of persons and obstructing vehicular or pedestrian traffic. He also said at the time that the accusations would include taking part in "any act that serves no legitimate purpose." The prosecutor, Robert Siglin, said the city was concerned for public safety, and that's why the Christians were arrested while exercising their First Amendment rights. |
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this is probably grossly exagerated at any rate a group of us were treated the same way for having Friday prayers on Capital Hill, if we can't have our prayer in the open they can't either.
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this is one of the things you get when you ask the cops to do all things in stead of protecting us from crime . while these cops were here wasting peoples time the could of arrested a hundred illegals and ate a dz donuts .
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http://www.wnd.com/index.php?pageId=126712 Praying in park called 'disorderly conduct' Conviction 'ridiculous,' says attorney. 'This never should have happened' A New York man is appealing a "disorderly conduct" conviction for praying in a public park. Julian Raven, defended by the Alliance Defense Fund, was arrested while praying in an Elmira public park during a 2007 "gay pride" event. "It's ridiculous to consider the act of peacefully exercising one's faith in a public park to be 'disorderly conduct,'" said ADF Senior Legal Counsel Joel Oster. "The county court was correct in dismissing three of the convictions. They never should have happened. We are hopeful that the New York Court of Appeals will dismiss the fourth." The WND reported when the original convictions of four people were appealed. Three of the convictions already have been overturned. Wisner Park in Elmira, N.Y. Originally, seven people were arrested for praying during the June 23, 2007, homosexual festival in Elmira's Wisner Park that was promoted by city officials. Three defendants were removed from the case almost immediately, leaving four to be convicted by Elmira city judge Thomas Ramich of "disorderly conduct." The convictions for three – Gloria Raven, Maurice Kienenberger and Walter Quick – later were overturned in the Chemung County Court. The legal team defending the Christians reported the event was advertised by the city as open to the public. The Christians "made their way to an area in front of the stage and began to pray silently while lying prostrate in the grass. A police sergeant had earlier informed Julian Raven that he could not enter the public park, walk through the park, or talk to anyone in the park about his religion. After the group began to pray silently on their faces, all were arrested and charged with disorderly conduct," the organization reported. Court records show that a Sgt. Sharon Moyer told Raven he could not disrupt the event. So, the ADF reported, he and the others "entered the event to pray silently for event participants and to share the Gospel with them." "There was plenty of room in the park. No one was being turned away. They walked in silence. Neither the defendant nor anyone from the group bumped into anyone as they entered and they did not force others out of the way," ADF said. They walked to a grassy area near the front, kneeled down or laid down, and prayed. "They chose this posture in order to be as non-threatening as possible," ADF said. Moyer reported she made the arrests because she was concerned that the "pridefest' participants might react with hostility to the Christians." ADF argues that under the First and Fourteenth amendments to the U.S. Constitution, "peaceful speakers may not be arrested simply because others in the forum may react to their message in a hostile manner." "The lower courts in this case ruled that the arrests were proper because the defendant must have known that other event participants would respond with hostility. This, however, is precisely what the … cases prohibit," the ADF asserts. When the Christians were arrested, officials with Elmira justified their actions to WND. Assistant Police Chief Mike Robertson told WND at the time that the members were accused of a "combination" of allegations, including the "intent" to cause a public inconvenience, a "disturbance" of a meeting of persons and obstructing vehicular or pedestrian traffic. He also said at the time that the accusations would include taking part in "any act that serves no legitimate purpose." The prosecutor, Robert Siglin, said the city was concerned for public safety, and that's why the Christians were arrested while exercising their First Amendment rights. Chrisitian fundamentalist 'PROVOCATION' was the disorderly act. |
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I can just imagine the conversation in the jail cell now...
"Hey what are you in for"-Robbery "What about you"-Rape "and you"-I was praying in a public park. When it comes to Christians expressing their freedom of religion anywhere other than church or home they get thrown under the bus every time.The sad ugly truth is everyone seems to get a free pass except the Christians.Christians have the right to protest just like everyone else has the right to protest.I also don't see how someone kneeling in the grass silently praying is a threat to anyone.I would have to give those police officers p**sies of they year award if they think those people are a danger. For those who keep up with news such as this it is hardly news.I have read many stories of Christians getting trampled over like a cheap rug time and time again especially around Christmas.I posted this because it is eerily reminiscent of what Hitler thugs were doing shortly before the final solution of the Jews.Stopped them from praying,boycotted their businesses,burned their churches,and had them murdered in mass numbers.In a different kind of way I see our government doing the same thing.No praying in public,arrest and jail time for speaking the bible,arrest of preists and closure of churches under the "hate crimes" bill,and God only knows what else down the road. |
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I find it odd that they would do this in front of stage. That's not about caring. That's about making a statement.
"The Christians "made their way to an area in front of the stage and began to pray silently while lying prostrate in the grass." |
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Seperation of Church and state anyone ever hear about that?
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Edited by
voileazur
on
Thu 03/04/10 06:44 AM
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I can just imagine the conversation in the jail cell now... "Hey what are you in for"-Robbery "What about you"-Rape "and you"-I was praying in a public park. When it comes to Christians expressing their freedom of religion anywhere other than church or home they get thrown under the bus every time.The sad ugly truth is everyone seems to get a free pass except the Christians.Christians have the right to protest just like everyone else has the right to protest.I also don't see how someone kneeling in the grass silently praying is a threat to anyone.I would have to give those police officers p**sies of they year award if they think those people are a danger. For those who keep up with news such as this it is hardly news.I have read many stories of Christians getting trampled over like a cheap rug time and time again especially around Christmas.I posted this because it is eerily reminiscent of what Hitler thugs were doing shortly before the final solution of the Jews.Stopped them from praying,boycotted their businesses,burned their churches,and had them murdered in mass numbers.In a different kind of way I see our government doing the same thing.No praying in public,arrest and jail time for speaking the bible,arrest of preists and closure of churches under the "hate crimes" bill,and God only knows what else down the road. Nothing stops 'christians' of any denomination to protest!?!?!? They simply need to follow the laws of the land like any and every other citizens. Apply for a permit, determine the purpose, and inform the authorities of the location of the manifestation or protest, and proceed. The 'christian fundamentalist zealots' mentioned int he article above, have steered clear of all living up to any requirements to hold the 'counter-demonstration' they have held. They intentionally chose to provoke. The police reaction to acts of PURE PROVOCATION on the part of 'christian fundamentalist zealots', with the very real intent of causing violent riots, and disturbing a perfectly peaceful and legitimate event, ... CAN NOT BE RECUPERATED, TWISTED AND MISREPRESENTED AS AN ACT OF PERSECUTION!!! ... towards the very contravening provoking agents!!! Their first intent was to provoke. NOT PRAY. When they were ask to leave the front of the stage to practice their 'praying' in a more appropriate place, they staunchly refused. Their intent was not to pray. Their intent was to 'hypocritically' disturb the peace!!! As though that wasn't double faced enough, the comments of the opening post dishonestly brings up ... '... it is eerily reminiscent of what Hitler thugs were doing shortly before the final solution of the Jews...'. Now, those comments are squarely on the side of disturbing, and turning into pure mockery, the REAL persecution and suffering of the Jewish people during WWII!!! We can't expect 'christian fundamentalist extremists' to be rational, reasonable, nor RESPONSIBLE. But we must be relentless in denouncing their acts, and overall behavior as PURE DELIRIUM!!! P.S.: Without ever making a parallel with the WWII genocide, if people are seeking to stand up and defend one particular group of human beings whom are truly being persecuted and gratuitously attacked here in North America, and 'executed' in many countries of the world, then stand up for the equal rights for homosexuals and against the aggressive persecution and harassment of the 'christian fundamentalist bullies'!!! |
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Edited by
voileazur
on
Thu 03/04/10 06:18 AM
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Double post!
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Edited by
voileazur
on
Thu 03/04/10 06:35 AM
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Triple post!!!
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this is one of the things you get when you ask the cops to do all things in stead of protecting us from crime . while these cops were here wasting peoples time the could of arrested a hundred illegals and ate a dz donuts . lol, now thats funny |
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I can just imagine the conversation in the jail cell now... "Hey what are you in for"-Robbery "What about you"-Rape "and you"-I was praying in a public park. When it comes to Christians expressing their freedom of religion anywhere other than church or home they get thrown under the bus every time.The sad ugly truth is everyone seems to get a free pass except the Christians.Christians have the right to protest just like everyone else has the right to protest.I also don't see how someone kneeling in the grass silently praying is a threat to anyone.I would have to give those police officers p**sies of they year award if they think those people are a danger. For those who keep up with news such as this it is hardly news.I have read many stories of Christians getting trampled over like a cheap rug time and time again especially around Christmas.I posted this because it is eerily reminiscent of what Hitler thugs were doing shortly before the final solution of the Jews.Stopped them from praying,boycotted their businesses,burned their churches,and had them murdered in mass numbers.In a different kind of way I see our government doing the same thing.No praying in public,arrest and jail time for speaking the bible,arrest of preists and closure of churches under the "hate crimes" bill,and God only knows what else down the road. yeah, I think it is kind of a sad thing for people to be arrested in a PUBLIC park for something like praying. I wonder if they would arrest me at a public park if a vegetarian group happened to be holding an event there and I showed up and sat down to eat some baked chicken...lol the point is, although people may get a permit to hold events at public parks, they still dont OWN the park on that day, permits dont include anything about being allowed to EXCLUDE people. I can understand an exception when people are being disruptive but I cant imagine a situation where silence is disrupting,, The arrest was stupid and a waste of time in my opinion. I am glad it was overturned. |
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Edited by
voileazur
on
Thu 03/04/10 07:48 AM
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I can just imagine the conversation in the jail cell now... "Hey what are you in for"-Robbery "What about you"-Rape "and you"-I was praying in a public park. When it comes to Christians expressing their freedom of religion anywhere other than church or home they get thrown under the bus every time.The sad ugly truth is everyone seems to get a free pass except the Christians.Christians have the right to protest just like everyone else has the right to protest.I also don't see how someone kneeling in the grass silently praying is a threat to anyone.I would have to give those police officers p**sies of they year award if they think those people are a danger. For those who keep up with news such as this it is hardly news.I have read many stories of Christians getting trampled over like a cheap rug time and time again especially around Christmas.I posted this because it is eerily reminiscent of what Hitler thugs were doing shortly before the final solution of the Jews.Stopped them from praying,boycotted their businesses,burned their churches,and had them murdered in mass numbers.In a different kind of way I see our government doing the same thing.No praying in public,arrest and jail time for speaking the bible,arrest of preists and closure of churches under the "hate crimes" bill,and God only knows what else down the road. yeah, I think it is kind of a sad thing for people to be arrested in a PUBLIC park for something like praying. I wonder if they would arrest me at a public park if a vegetarian group happened to be holding an event there and I showed up and sat down to eat some baked chicken...lol the point is, although people may get a permit to hold events at public parks, they still dont OWN the park on that day, permits dont include anything about being allowed to EXCLUDE people. I can understand an exception when people are being disruptive but I cant imagine a situation where silence is disrupting,, The arrest was stupid and a waste of time in my opinion. I am glad it was overturned. They weren't there to pray!!! And they charged with that either. This is blatant mis characterization. The charges most correctly addressed the group intent to provoke, and cause public disorder. '... Assistant Police Chief Mike Robertson told WND at the time that the members were accused of a "combination" of allegations, including the "intent" to cause a public inconvenience, a "disturbance" of a meeting of persons and obstructing vehicular or pedestrian traffic. He also said at the time that the accusations would include taking part in "any act that serves no legitimate purpose" ...' Purposefully picking a center-stage spot, at a time when the event was in full swing, can not in any way shape or form, constitute a 'HAPPENED TO BE INNOCENTLY PRAYING IN A PARK' motive!?!?!? C'mon 'msharmony', you are not going to try pushing this kind of phoniness and hypocrisy!!! They were invited by the officers to move 'their praying session', to a more appropriate place in the park. THEY STAUNCHLY REFUSED!!! Praying was not their intent. Praying was a 'front', a 'pretense'. Blasphemy IMO. They were 'center staging' an illegal counter demonstration!!! And being charged with disorderly conduct is the most appropriate consequence, even when you're a 'christians fundamentalists'!!! |
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I can just imagine the conversation in the jail cell now... "Hey what are you in for"-Robbery "What about you"-Rape "and you"-I was praying in a public park. When it comes to Christians expressing their freedom of religion anywhere other than church or home they get thrown under the bus every time.The sad ugly truth is everyone seems to get a free pass except the Christians.Christians have the right to protest just like everyone else has the right to protest.I also don't see how someone kneeling in the grass silently praying is a threat to anyone.I would have to give those police officers p**sies of they year award if they think those people are a danger. For those who keep up with news such as this it is hardly news.I have read many stories of Christians getting trampled over like a cheap rug time and time again especially around Christmas.I posted this because it is eerily reminiscent of what Hitler thugs were doing shortly before the final solution of the Jews.Stopped them from praying,boycotted their businesses,burned their churches,and had them murdered in mass numbers.In a different kind of way I see our government doing the same thing.No praying in public,arrest and jail time for speaking the bible,arrest of preists and closure of churches under the "hate crimes" bill,and God only knows what else down the road. yeah, I think it is kind of a sad thing for people to be arrested in a PUBLIC park for something like praying. I wonder if they would arrest me at a public park if a vegetarian group happened to be holding an event there and I showed up and sat down to eat some baked chicken...lol the point is, although people may get a permit to hold events at public parks, they still dont OWN the park on that day, permits dont include anything about being allowed to EXCLUDE people. I can understand an exception when people are being disruptive but I cant imagine a situation where silence is disrupting,, The arrest was stupid and a waste of time in my opinion. I am glad it was overturned. They weren't there to pray!!! Are you telling me that picking a specific spot in front of the event's stage, at a time when the event was in full swing, is to be constituted as a 'HAPPENED TO BE INNOCENTLY PRAYING IN A PARK' motive!?!?!? C'mon 'msharmony', you are not going to try pushing this kind of phoniness and hypocrisy!!! They were invited by the officers to move 'their praying session', to a more appropriate place in the park. THEY STAUNCHLY REFUSED!!! Prying was not their intent. Praying was a 'front', a 'pretense'. Blasphemy IMO. They were 'center staging' an illegal counter demonstration!!! 'christians fundamentalists' are not above law and order!!! I agree, noone is above law and order. They were arrested and the arrests were overturned. Apparently the courts didnt think they had committed any crime and I cant think of one either. Whatever their 'intent',,,in a public park I believe it was their right to do as they wish so long as they didnt harm others or disrupt the public peace. |
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Edited by
voileazur
on
Thu 03/04/10 08:06 AM
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I can just imagine the conversation in the jail cell now... "Hey what are you in for"-Robbery "What about you"-Rape "and you"-I was praying in a public park. When it comes to Christians expressing their freedom of religion anywhere other than church or home they get thrown under the bus every time.The sad ugly truth is everyone seems to get a free pass except the Christians.Christians have the right to protest just like everyone else has the right to protest.I also don't see how someone kneeling in the grass silently praying is a threat to anyone.I would have to give those police officers p**sies of they year award if they think those people are a danger. For those who keep up with news such as this it is hardly news.I have read many stories of Christians getting trampled over like a cheap rug time and time again especially around Christmas.I posted this because it is eerily reminiscent of what Hitler thugs were doing shortly before the final solution of the Jews.Stopped them from praying,boycotted their businesses,burned their churches,and had them murdered in mass numbers.In a different kind of way I see our government doing the same thing.No praying in public,arrest and jail time for speaking the bible,arrest of preists and closure of churches under the "hate crimes" bill,and God only knows what else down the road. yeah, I think it is kind of a sad thing for people to be arrested in a PUBLIC park for something like praying. I wonder if they would arrest me at a public park if a vegetarian group happened to be holding an event there and I showed up and sat down to eat some baked chicken...lol the point is, although people may get a permit to hold events at public parks, they still dont OWN the park on that day, permits dont include anything about being allowed to EXCLUDE people. I can understand an exception when people are being disruptive but I cant imagine a situation where silence is disrupting,, The arrest was stupid and a waste of time in my opinion. I am glad it was overturned. They weren't there to pray!!! Are you telling me that picking a specific spot in front of the event's stage, at a time when the event was in full swing, is to be constituted as a 'HAPPENED TO BE INNOCENTLY PRAYING IN A PARK' motive!?!?!? C'mon 'msharmony', you are not going to try pushing this kind of phoniness and hypocrisy!!! They were invited by the officers to move 'their praying session', to a more appropriate place in the park. THEY STAUNCHLY REFUSED!!! Prying was not their intent. Praying was a 'front', a 'pretense'. Blasphemy IMO. They were 'center staging' an illegal counter demonstration!!! 'christians fundamentalists' are not above law and order!!! I agree, noone is above law and order. They were arrested and the arrests were overturned. Apparently the courts didnt think they had committed any crime and I cant think of one either. Whatever their 'intent',,,in a public park I believe it was their right to do as they wish so long as they didnt harm others or disrupt the public peace. That is not accurate 'msharmony'!!! THEY DID DISRUPT THE PUBLIC PEACE!!! And charges were dismissed for the 'sheeps' in the group. The judge showed them clemence. But the charges were totally and absolutely upheld for the instigator of the 'disorderly act': Julian Raven, known by the authorities as a public agitator. Clemence to some, does not imply condoning acts of gratuitous public provocation. You know better than that 'msharmony'. |
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I can just imagine the conversation in the jail cell now... "Hey what are you in for"-Robbery "What about you"-Rape "and you"-I was praying in a public park. When it comes to Christians expressing their freedom of religion anywhere other than church or home they get thrown under the bus every time.The sad ugly truth is everyone seems to get a free pass except the Christians.Christians have the right to protest just like everyone else has the right to protest.I also don't see how someone kneeling in the grass silently praying is a threat to anyone.I would have to give those police officers p**sies of they year award if they think those people are a danger. For those who keep up with news such as this it is hardly news.I have read many stories of Christians getting trampled over like a cheap rug time and time again especially around Christmas.I posted this because it is eerily reminiscent of what Hitler thugs were doing shortly before the final solution of the Jews.Stopped them from praying,boycotted their businesses,burned their churches,and had them murdered in mass numbers.In a different kind of way I see our government doing the same thing.No praying in public,arrest and jail time for speaking the bible,arrest of preists and closure of churches under the "hate crimes" bill,and God only knows what else down the road. yeah, I think it is kind of a sad thing for people to be arrested in a PUBLIC park for something like praying. I wonder if they would arrest me at a public park if a vegetarian group happened to be holding an event there and I showed up and sat down to eat some baked chicken...lol the point is, although people may get a permit to hold events at public parks, they still dont OWN the park on that day, permits dont include anything about being allowed to EXCLUDE people. I can understand an exception when people are being disruptive but I cant imagine a situation where silence is disrupting,, The arrest was stupid and a waste of time in my opinion. I am glad it was overturned. They weren't there to pray!!! Are you telling me that picking a specific spot in front of the event's stage, at a time when the event was in full swing, is to be constituted as a 'HAPPENED TO BE INNOCENTLY PRAYING IN A PARK' motive!?!?!? C'mon 'msharmony', you are not going to try pushing this kind of phoniness and hypocrisy!!! They were invited by the officers to move 'their praying session', to a more appropriate place in the park. THEY STAUNCHLY REFUSED!!! Prying was not their intent. Praying was a 'front', a 'pretense'. Blasphemy IMO. They were 'center staging' an illegal counter demonstration!!! 'christians fundamentalists' are not above law and order!!! I agree, noone is above law and order. They were arrested and the arrests were overturned. Apparently the courts didnt think they had committed any crime and I cant think of one either. Whatever their 'intent',,,in a public park I believe it was their right to do as they wish so long as they didnt harm others or disrupt the public peace. Yes, it's a public park. They could have picked any part of the park to pray at...under any tree...by any flowers....on the grass.... They instead "made their way to an area in front of the stage and began to pray silently while lying prostrate in the grass." That is disrupting an event! |
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this is probably grossly exagerated at any rate a group of us were treated the same way for having Friday prayers on Capital Hill, if we can't have our prayer in the open they can't either. to quote my hero Archie Bunker...God don't listen til Sunday !!... 
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Poke the belly of the beast, and eventually the beast will bite you.
Sounds like they were provoking the homosexual groups in attendance...sorry, but if I were religious, I wouldn't go off spouting from my "book" in front of a bunch of people that religion has already turned away because of personal decisions. |
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THEY WERE NOT ARRESTED FOR PRAYING.
I am so fed up with dishonest Christians playing the "arrested for praying card". Its complete BS, and the community of Christian media producers and consumers eat it up. The best you can say is "arrested WHILE praying". Now - whether their arrests were 'legitimate' or legal or fair or sensible is another issue; I am not saying the arrests were appropriate, but I don't have all the information. |
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I can just imagine the conversation in the jail cell now... "Hey what are you in for"-Robbery "What about you"-Rape "and you"-I was praying in a public park. When it comes to Christians expressing their freedom of religion anywhere other than church or home they get thrown under the bus every time.The sad ugly truth is everyone seems to get a free pass except the Christians.Christians have the right to protest just like everyone else has the right to protest.I also don't see how someone kneeling in the grass silently praying is a threat to anyone.I would have to give those police officers p**sies of they year award if they think those people are a danger. For those who keep up with news such as this it is hardly news.I have read many stories of Christians getting trampled over like a cheap rug time and time again especially around Christmas.I posted this because it is eerily reminiscent of what Hitler thugs were doing shortly before the final solution of the Jews.Stopped them from praying,boycotted their businesses,burned their churches,and had them murdered in mass numbers.In a different kind of way I see our government doing the same thing.No praying in public,arrest and jail time for speaking the bible,arrest of preists and closure of churches under the "hate crimes" bill,and God only knows what else down the road. yeah, I think it is kind of a sad thing for people to be arrested in a PUBLIC park for something like praying. I wonder if they would arrest me at a public park if a vegetarian group happened to be holding an event there and I showed up and sat down to eat some baked chicken...lol the point is, although people may get a permit to hold events at public parks, they still dont OWN the park on that day, permits dont include anything about being allowed to EXCLUDE people. I can understand an exception when people are being disruptive but I cant imagine a situation where silence is disrupting,, The arrest was stupid and a waste of time in my opinion. I am glad it was overturned. They weren't there to pray!!! Are you telling me that picking a specific spot in front of the event's stage, at a time when the event was in full swing, is to be constituted as a 'HAPPENED TO BE INNOCENTLY PRAYING IN A PARK' motive!?!?!? C'mon 'msharmony', you are not going to try pushing this kind of phoniness and hypocrisy!!! They were invited by the officers to move 'their praying session', to a more appropriate place in the park. THEY STAUNCHLY REFUSED!!! Prying was not their intent. Praying was a 'front', a 'pretense'. Blasphemy IMO. They were 'center staging' an illegal counter demonstration!!! 'christians fundamentalists' are not above law and order!!! I agree, noone is above law and order. They were arrested and the arrests were overturned. Apparently the courts didnt think they had committed any crime and I cant think of one either. Whatever their 'intent',,,in a public park I believe it was their right to do as they wish so long as they didnt harm others or disrupt the public peace. Yes, it's a public park. They could have picked any part of the park to pray at...under any tree...by any flowers....on the grass.... They instead "made their way to an area in front of the stage and began to pray silently while lying prostrate in the grass." That is disrupting an event! It is no more or less criminal than peaceful protest. They said the same about sit ins at one time. Six people lying on the grass should not disrupt a crowd of ...(hundreds? ). I doubt that anyone past the first row or two even would know of their presence. Now if they were waiving banners, playing music loudly, screaming at the top of their lungs (as is done outside many abortion clinics) I would agree with the fuss. But laying on the ground in a public park,,nah, leave them about their business , ignore them, continue what you are doing. |
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