Free Speech?

A NY pastor is suing for the right to have a billboard which quotes Leviticus. Apparently, the billboard was originally approved and installed, until a politician complained to the billboard company, who then took it down. Not surprisingly, the Pastor sued (Conservatives hate the courts, unless it is them suing. Just like Republicans hatre the courts, unless it’s them being jerked around by insurance companies).

Anyway, when I first read the story, I thought, “There’s no question, the pastor should win.’ Seems to me a classic first amendment problem – clearly a content based restriction. And, while I may not agree with the selective attention paid to Leviticus by religious folk (eating any shellfish?), I think they have a right to put it up on a billboard.

Then I read some more, and found out they were suing not for restriction of free speech, rather for the restriction of the free exercise of religion. On that basis, I have to say that they should not win. Putting a quote from the bible on a billboard is not a religious practice, and I can’t see how being unable to preach via a billboard restricts your religious freedoms.

This is a speech issue, not a religion issue.

dolphin said (at August 10, 2006 07:01 AM):