“Christian groups shouldn’t be penalized for expressing their beliefs,” said ADF-allied attorney Rick Nelson. “Being threatened with arrest simply for expressing a religious viewpoint is something we’d expect in other nations, but not in the United States. We are encouraged that the court is allowing our client to exercise their First Amendment rights while this case moves forward in court.”
In June 2006, members of Apple of His Eye were threatened with arrest by St. Louis officials for handing out Christian literature and speaking about their faith at Tower Grove Park’s “PrideFest,” which celebrates homosexuality. In April 2008, Nelson filed a lawsuit and a motion for a preliminary injunction against the city of St. Louis. —From Citizenlink.com
Steve,
What is the other Supreme Court case that defines handing out religious materials as not being “solicitation”? Im giving the Home for Christmas team back home some good info on Street Evangelism.
Can’t help you there, Robert.
cool thanks anyway. Ill ask around. thanks again for letting me look at your classroom notes online. gives me an idea on how God will lead me to do a crash course on Evangelism when I go home(Missouri) for Christmas and lead a group before I return to knoxville, tn
The case is Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York Inc. v. Village of Stratton, Ohio. Court held that solitictation laws do not apply to evangelists. Websearch these terms:
ohio
solicitation
“jehovah’s witnesses”
You can read details at these sites:
http://www.freedomforum.org/templates/document.asp?documentID=15785
http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1P2-349028.html
http://archive.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2002/6/17/180512.shtml
http://www.firstamendmentcenter.org/news.aspx?id=3763
Hope this is helpful. Groups like the aclj.org and alliance defense fund give free legal aid to victims of anti-faith bias.
Thanks Ken and Steve for posting this. I am relying this to the group the Lord has allowed me to lead this coming Christmas! Pray for protection of the group and me. blind the eyes of the Paul Blarts’ at the Mall back home as we handout tracts to many peoples.