Evangelist Elmer "Joe" Christopherson of Oswego says Naperville violated his rights to free speech and freedom of religion when he was handed a ticket on Sept. 2 for unlawful display of a noncommercial sign within 10 feet of pavement. Who do you think is right -- the city or the preacher?
Those of us who work in the newspaper trade tend to have a soft spot for the First Amendment. But in this case, it sounds like the officer who handed Brother Elmer the ticket cut him plenty of slack beforehand. The account in Sunday's Sun says Ole' Elmer preached for several hours during Last Fling, and that a couple times officers even shooed away heathen souls who so callously harassed the good reverend.
C'mon, Elmer, don't be a Fudd(y Duddy). What are you challenging--the constitutionality of Naperville's ability to regulate and control how and where demonstrations may take place? Good luck, but don't think you'll win that one.
Naperville, after all, is fairly tolerant when it comes to street demonstrations. Remember the pro-life demonstrations with the graphic pictures of aborted fetuses that protesters held up along Ogden Avenue over the summer, anyone? Sounds like Elmer's suit is intended for the sole purpose of increasing the preacher's name recognition, and for smearing the reputation of Naperville by making it sound like an intolerant community.
Do you agree? What's your take on the city's issuance of a citation for an alleged sign ordinance violation?
Cops have time to harass people because there's hardly any real crime in Naperville.
The preacher is obviously correct. How ridiculous. Have the police nothing better to do? Sounds like another cop with an attitude.
I've always wondered what these street preachers think they're accomplishing. The evangelical Christian presence at the last fling wasn't that bad in comparison to this guy and the other people from his church who decided to come out and spread the good word during "The Party That Shall Not Be Named". He stood on the street corner yelling at kids for over eight hours. I don't remember the name of the church responsible for this, but they had a street preacher standing outside Zazu, one outside Noodles, one outside of Roseland Draperies and one outside of Potter's Place... All yelling about the end times, how reading Harry Potter is like boarding an express train to the fiery depths of hell, the evils of pornography, premarital sex, alcoholism, and a bundle of other topics which not only seemed completely irrelevant but also were amazingly inappropriate with all the children around. All these people were accomplishing was scaring the crap out of the kids trying to enjoy the festival.
The sad part was, concerned parents who were getting in the street preacher's faces about how inappropriate it is to be yelling about pornography were getting escorted away by police officers.
One thing which I found to be endlessly amusing about the fanatical Christian presence at the Last Fling was the people from some church who were set up directly next to a couple of guys from a local mosque on the Eagle street bridge. The crazy Christians were distributing these blow up bats to hit people with, getting in people's faces about their faith, and just generally being annoying to those walking by. The Muslims, on the other hand, stood by their table, shaking hands, giving away brochures and inviting people to their mosque with open arms- whether they were Muslim or not.
I am not a religious person by any means, but given the choice between the two... I'd accept the invitation to the mosque by the two calm men handing out brochures to those who were interested over the fanatics that bonked me over the head with a blow up bat and told me I was going to burn for eternity when I'm judged in the end times if I don't come to their Sunday services.
I doubt I'm alone on that. Street preachers, and anyone fanatical about any cause or belief really need to re-think their methods. The more insane you seem to normal people, the harder time you're going to have in getting anyone to join up with your belief structure, organization, or political cause. It doesn't get much crazier than standing on a street corner screaming about swarms of locusts and masturbation, as if the two topics were somehow linked.
I for one am glad the police are doing whatever they can.
It is a shame that some Christian groups use such inappropriate means to spread the word of Christ. Would the same people complain if the street preachers were saying things like, "Love thy Neighbor" "Jesus loves you," "Thou shalt not steal" ????? I tend to think there would still be people complaining. In this world of PC, I think Christians need to step up to the plate and spread the word of God's goodness - proudly and often. If someone doesn't like it, they can walk away. Whatever happened to "live and let live?" Too many radical left wing people have taken things to the extreme; that may be why the Christians preaching at the fest were overzealous. For instance, ONE man complains about a Christmas tree in an airport and it gets taken down. I say, leave it up, or take all symbols down of all religions. One man fights over a state mandated 15 seconds of silence in schools and the whole world listens! Think for a moment how blessed we are to be living in a country where we can worship freely - regardless of who/what you are worshiping. Imagine if one had to fear for their life because of their religious convictions. Most wars have started around and remain to be fought because of religious beliefs and one religion/sect wanting to eradicate all other religions - think about it. Is that where we are heading? No group has the right to silence another for their beliefs. I wish the Christian groups would think about delivering a message of God's love, rather than all the fire and brimstone - more people might listen.
Thanks for the opportunity to voice my opinion
I know this newspaper will defend its first amendment right and would go to any lengths to keep its freedom of the press. Who are any of you to tell this man, or anyone else, what they can say as they exercise their first amendment right? Shame on all of you! You don't have to listen to him if you don't like him. But, if people regulate how others use their freedoms of speech, or peaceful assemble rights, then what? Why do people defend the burning of our American flag as a first amendment right to express themselves; a right that doesn't even exist?
If you regulate this man, then we're in trouble as a free nation. I don't agree with many of you, but it's your right to speak your point of view.
Courts have upheld reasonable restrictions on free speech. For example, yelling "Fire!" in a crowded theater is not a protected form of free speech.
It is the message of my sign they did not like. My sign says "Lied, Stolen, Lusted? Abortion? Stop Sinning, Call on the Lord Jesus and Escape Hell-Fire! BurningHeartsOutreach.com"
This past Sat. The Naperville Police threatened me with arrest if I did not stop preaching the gospel. The officer said my speech and liturature was offensive, so it was against the law. So much for the 1st ammendment. I was preaching that all liars, thieves, drunkards, people who have premarital sex, and people who worship idols in false religions like Islam, Catholosicm, Mormonsim ect. will go to hell for eternity for breaking God's law the ten commandments. But that is not God's will and That He so loved us that He became a sinless man in Jesus Christ and shed His blood and died on the cross of Calvary for our sins and then rose from the dead, so whoever repents (stops sinning), calls on the name of the Lord Jesus, and surrenders all their life to Him, would go to heaven and escape hell. For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Now listen to me you may not agree with the bible and me, but if they take away my free speech today, they will take away yours tomorrow.
Joe
There was a gathering infront of the Starbucks/Subway I believe in late august, such confident speakers talking about the evils of sex/sodomy/alcohol/porn/homosexuality, yet, when it came time to rebuttal to intellectual disagreements, from teenagers no less, they began tripping over their words.
If Free Speech can cover hate speech, than what results from being singled out by these street preachers should constitute as self defense.
Just a heads up, on this forum the poster's name appears after the post, under the solid line. I know it's confusing, and it looks like your comment was posted by the person who posted the comment above you.
Joe,
I was present when your spoke to the police the past Saturday. I remember the officer telling you your actions were in fact protected and you were free to continue your activity as long as you did not block access to the sidewalk. That same officer stayed while you continued your activities to ensure that your were not bothered by others.
Yes, I believe it was the Seargent who came and set the other officer straight. Even though the first officer was heard saying something to the effect that he would enjoy arresting me.
Joe
Having heard the hateful things you "preach" about on the corner outside of Starbucks, I'd enjoy seeing you arrested as well. It absolutely blows my mind how you can think you're accomplishing anything positive by standing on a soap box in downtown Naperville and screaming about how homosexuals are going to burn in hell if they don't repent, along with a slew of other ridiculous topics. Have you ever considered that if your "sermons" weren't so deeply rooted in hate and intolerance, perhaps you would receive a more positive reaction from people walking down the street and police officers patrolling the area instead of how people react currently- trying their hardest to not give anyone in your gang of hate-mongers any kind of eye contact or invitation to speak to them.
Hmmmm My God is a God of love. And I do believe the Bible reads, "Judge not so that you may not also be judged." Jesus did not walk away from anyone whether they were lepers or were mentally unstable or were prostitutes. He spoke in a gentle voice. And did He not say to the crowd who wanted to stone the prostititue that he who has no sin cast the first stone? And then Jesus told the woman Neither do I condemn thee, go and sin no more. I agree with Eli when he said your sermons were deeply rooted in hate and intolerance. Now I have a question for you Joe. If someone was hurt and stopped breathing, and you knew he was a homosexual, could you do mouth to mouth resusitation on him? Remember we are ALL children of God. Not just a select few.
You are making up a "god" that suits yourself and that does not accurately represent the God of the bible, and in doing so you are violating the first and second of the ten commandments. Let me explain. God is a God of love. There is no greater love than God in the flesh dying for you on the cross and then raising again. God is also holy and just, and He is angry with the wicked everyday the bible says. You mostly use half quotes in the verses you are using and pulling them out of context to try and prove your wrong view of God. You say my message is "hate" when it is the message of Jesus and the bible. So in you making such comments you prove you do not know the true God of the bible. The bible actally commands us to judge righteously. You could not possibly live without judging. We all judge every day, but according to the bible we must judge rightly. In fact you are judging me. You should practice what you preach. It says judge righteous judgment. In that verse you quoted, it also says take the beam out of you eye so you can see clearly to take the mote (or speck) out of your brothers eye (paraphrase). We are all created by God but we are not all His children. You can become one of God's children by repenting your sins (stop lying, stealing, lusting , ect.) and calling on Jesus and surrendering all your life to Him. But until you do that you are a child of the devil according to the bible. Jesus said the world hates me because I testify that the works thereof are evil (paraphrase). Actually you seem intolerant of my view which is what the bible says, that seems hypocrital to me. Because if you were "tolerant" you would approve of ALL views not just what you espouse. I would lay my life down for any sinner, homosexual or not, by the grace of God to save them, because I know I'm going to heaven when I die. Let me turn the question on you. Would you give mouth to mouth resusitation on someone that may have aids. Aids is mostly a homosexual disease. Or would you go down to skid row and give mouth to mouth resustitation to a heroin needle junkie? Huh? Be honest God is listening to you. In fact you prove that you do not truly love sinners because if you did you would warn them of God's wrath and of eternal hell, so if they repent and call on Jesus they could escape that awful fate. So please get get right with God yourself and then represent Him rightly. We are all going to be judged by a holy God on the day of wrath. I will pray for you.
Im concerned for your soul. God bless, Joe
P.S.
Im not a fan for typing reams of info. in blogs. If you would like to talk come down to Naperville around 8PM we are there almost every Sat. night preaching the life giving gospel of Jesus Christ by Starbucks at Jefferson and Main.
Homosexuality is a sin. It is perversion. That is not hate. That is the gospel truth. Remember Sodom and Gomorrah, God destroyed those cities of homosexuallity. But any homosexual can be saved and set free if they will repent (stop sinning) and call on the Lord Jesus. God commendeth his love toward us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us. (paraphrase)
Joe, I am not an atheist, though I do not follow any particular religion. I do believe there is a God...a force greater than us. I usually describe myself as an agnostic.
I think it's wonderful you so deeply believe in the cult that is Christianity and that you are excited about spreading its word. Great for you! But I do not want to be bombarded with what you have to say. Just as we do not want our streets littered with people screaming about every cause they hold dear to their hearts, I do not want to hear yours. If I am interested, I will ask.
I am all for free speech but it can take many forms. Perhaps you would consider using a form people found less offensive and in-your-face.
As for your comments on homosexuality, let us all not forget that the Bible is nothing more than a collection of writings of unknown date and authorship rendered from supposed copies of supposed originals supposedly lost.It was written by men. With an agenda. Stop taking it so literally.
Joe,
Wow, I'm stunned. You refer to Islam, Catholicism and Mormonism as "false religions." What exactly is your religion? At first I thought this was some type of joke until I read the words. Yikes, some of your posts are really scary. Just like you claim that the Naperville Police don't have anything better to do than to harass you, I'm disappointed that so many "true believers" like yourself spend so much time talking about homosexuality. I'm straight and happily married, but I have a cousin who is gay, and she's been in a committed relationship with a wonderful partner for over 12 years. What percentage of the U.S. population is homosexual? According to the 2000 U.S. census, roughly 2% of U.S. households identify themselves as gay. Don't you have bigger fish to fry?
Newsflash Joe: 1 out of 2 marriages in this country end in divorce. Guess what? Those are heterosexual folks causing the destruction of marriage. Why don't you spend more time trying to help us "straighties" who've brought disgrace to the institution of marriage, and spend less energy worrying about gay people.
You say that "AIDS is mostly a homosexual disease." Dude, have you been under a rock the last 15 years? You tossed a lot of scenarios out to us, now here are a few for you: Have you spent time at an AIDS orphanage in Africa, or Romania, or China? Have you adopted a child who has lost his/her parents to this disease? (Not sure you should be entrusted to raise a child, but I digress.) Why don't you sign up for the Peace Corps (like my cousin and her partner did) and spend some time really being productive and helping others.
Actions speak louder than words, and all I'm getting from you is hot air. Other than yelling fire and brimstone, what have you really done to help your fellow man?
joe, you are an idiot, go home no one wants to hear you force this stuff through our city
Elmer, you are a NUT!!! You are not a man of the cloth..just a NUT!! You should be thanking the Naperville Police Department for the fine protection they give you every weekend!! The officer who cited you NEVER said you had to stop preaching, all he wanted was for you to stop blocking vehicular and pedestrian traffic, but as usual, you wont listen to anyone!! Also, the fine patrons of Ted's Montana Grill DO NOT enjoy looking at your aborted fetus poster while they are trying to eat!! GET HELP YOU IDIOT!!
Thank you for your comments. Godbless you and have a great week!
See you this weekend God willing.
Joe