City corrals Christians at weekend Arab fest Judge won't let ministry deliver tracts on sidewalks (Iran, middle east)
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A federal judge has upheld a decision by festival organizers in Dearborn, Mich., which is about 30 percent Muslim, to ban a Christian ministry from handing out religious information on public sidewalks.
The case is being brought on behalf of the Arabic Christian Perspective, a Christian group that ministers to Muslims. According to the Thomas More Law Center, Pastor George Saieg and scores of his volunteers have visited Dearborn for the city's Arab International Festival to hand out religious information several times.
"It's ironic that while Americans are applauding the free speech exercised by hundreds of thousands of Muslims on the streets of Iran, the city of Dearborn is restricting free speech rights Christians are attempting to exercise on the city's public sidewalks," said Richard Thompson, president of the Thomas More Law Center.
Interesting.
A judge recently ruled a Christian group could hand out leaflets and whatnot at a gay parade...I don't see the difference here.
I think they should be allowed to pass out the pamphlets and the people they are handing them out to have every right to ignore them, tear up the paper, recycle the paper as soon as they get it...whatever.
Let's just hope these Christians are open to people of different viewpoints coming in to their church on Sunday morning to hand them some information.
I don't agree with them, but they have every right (misguided or not) to hand out their religious information.
To deny them (the christians) their rights is a danger to all of us. A judge ruling against the personal freedoms guaranteed us by the constitution is horrifying and this should never be tolerated.
It doesn't seem like this judge's decision would hold up in a higher court. Even if you're not a Christian, this suppression of free speech should be disturbing.
A federal judge has upheld a decision by festival organizers in Dearborn, Mich., which is about 30 percent Muslim, to ban a Christian ministry from handing out religious information on public sidewalks.
Dearborn is 30% Arabic, not 30% Muslim. Muslim's are about 12%.
I go to the festivle for the food and music, and I find it funny that nobody there is pushing the muslim faith on you, but christian's decide that this is the place to shovle their dribble at you.
There are plenty of other corners to enjoy your free speech. Not the time, and not the place. (I'd say the same about any religious or political group at the event)
It doesn't seem like this judge's decision would hold up in a higher court. Even if you're not a Christian, this suppression of free speech should be disturbing.
They've got the rest of the city, and they rest of the state, to enjoy their free speech. Nobody is suppressing them. Go one block down, and hand out your bs.
Dearborn is 30% Arabic, not 30% Muslim. Muslim's are about 12%.
I go to the festivle for the food and music, and I find it funny that nobody there is pushing the muslim faith on you, but christian's decide that this is the place to shovle their dribble at you.
There are plenty of other corners to enjoy your free speech. Not the time, and not the place. (I'd say the same about any religious or political group at the event)
Located just outside of Detroit, Michigan, Dearborn is known for its Arabic population and culture. Immigrants from the Middle East settled in Dearborn when the Ford Motor Company began hiring Muslims in the 1930s. Today, nearly 100,000 Muslims live within the city. Several communities on DearbornÃs south and east sides are more than 90% Islamic.
When Philip first heard about the Muslim community in Dearborn, his heart was stirred. He called more than a dozen churches in Dearborn and asked if they were actively reaching out to these Muslims. Only one said yes.
Total Population 97,775
City Area 24.4 miles
Muslim Population 30,000
500,000 Muslims live in the entire Detroit Metro Area.
Population (By Ancestory):
Arab 30.0%
German 13.7%
Polish 11.8%
Irish 9.4%
English 6.7%
Italian 6.4%
The first article is about psychiatry and recognizing depression in Muslims in Michigan. I'm not sure what it has to do with Christianity.
That second article talks about efforts to "convert" Muslims.
"It has opened my eyes that there are other beliefs out there," said "Sara" (14) who attends Bethel Christian Fellowship in Virginia Beach. "I have more of a burden for the Muslim people and for every person I come in contact with that doesnÃt know Jesus."
That said, I don't agree with the judge. I think the ACLU would agree with the Christians in this case.
That second article talks about efforts to "convert" Muslims.
"It has opened my eyes that there are other beliefs out there," said "Sara" (14) who attends Bethel Christian Fellowship in Virginia Beach. "I have more of a burden for the Muslim people and for every person I come in contact with that doesnÃt know Jesus."
Sounds like the young Christians are the ones getting educated here.
Sure, they should have the right. It's seriously poor manners, but they have the right. I hope someone makes a tract with Ms. Manners' treatise on unsolicited advice to hand back, though.
A federal judge has upheld a decision by festival organizers in Dearborn, Mich., which is about 30 percent Muslim, to ban a Christian ministry from handing out religious information on public sidewalks.
The case is being brought on behalf of the Arabic Christian Perspective, a Christian group that ministers to Muslims. According to the Thomas More Law Center, Pastor George Saieg and scores of his volunteers have visited Dearborn for the city's Arab International Festival to hand out religious information several times.
"It's ironic that while Americans are applauding the free speech exercised by hundreds of thousands of Muslims on the streets of Iran, the city of Dearborn is restricting free speech rights Christians are attempting to exercise on the city's public sidewalks," said Richard Thompson, president of the Thomas More Law Center.
I think there is more to this story. This would be a constitutional problem if the facts are consistant.
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