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Federal judge: Transit system that bans religious ads can ban atheist posters too

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A United States federal judge this week ruled the County of Lackawanna Transit System (COLTS), of Pennsylvania, did not violate an atheist group’s right to free speech by rejecting its ads.  COLTS cited a policy it enacted in 2011. The policy states COLTS will not accept advertising that, “…promote the existence or non-existence of a supreme deity, deities, being or beings.”

The Northeastern Pennsylvania Freethought Society filed a federal lawsuit alleging the transit system allowed several churches to advertise before the atheist group tried to place an ad in 2012, according to an Associated Press report printed in the Seattle Times. The AP report does not mention that COLT’s ban on such advertisement was already in place when the atheist group applied to place its ad.

US District Judge Malachy E. Mannion’s ruling concludes, “The legal issues presented in this case are particularly fact specific. By way of this decision, the court in no way diminishes the importance of free speech in our society. In fact, in today’s society, free speech is more important than ever. That being said, the law dictates that, under the facts of this case alone, that COLTS’ advertising space is a limited forum  and  that COLTS did  not violate Freethought’s First Amendment right to  free speech by refusing  to place  its advertisement on COLTS’  buses. For the foregoing reasons, judgment will be entered in favor of COLTS and against Freethought. An appropriate order will issue.

New Hampshire man gets 25 years for church arson, assault

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A New Hampshire man who pleaded guilty to setting fire to a Baptist church building has been sentenced to a quarter-century in prison.

Anthony K. Boisvert appeared in Grafton Superior Court in North Haverhill, New Hampshire Monday pleading guilty to nine charges of arson, assault and witness tampering, according to The Valley News.  He apologized to the church, but denied some of the accusations made in a probable cause affidavit, according to a report from the Union Leader.

Boisvert’s sentence is related to crimes committed in 2016 including arson at the First Baptist Church of Lebanon.  Prosecutors say he stabbed two people in an attempt to stop them from testifying.

The Church had been at the location for 145 years. The Associated Press reports the remains of the church were demolished following the fire.

Family members in January told WMUR they believe Boisvert suffers from mental illness and he needs help, not prison.

File video of the fire:

 

 

Criminals cause thousands in damage at SC church

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A vandal, or vandals, caused at least $13,000 in damage to a Greenville, SC church building.

A spokesperson for the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office said the person or persons responsible broke in through a back door of the Roper Mountain Baptist Church around 1:30 a.m. Friday.

WYFF television published photos of the damage left by the criminal or criminals. WSPA posted a video of the damage.

No motive for the crime is known.

Anyone with information about the vandalism is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 864-23-CRIME

Virginia church building targeted by vandals 7 times since May

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A Virginia congregation is cleaning up damage criminals left behind for the 7th time since May.

Vandals have caused tens of thousands of dollars in damage to the sanctuary of The Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Annandale, Virginia.  Pastor Elijah Mwitanti told Fox5 Television that a church member was hit with a fire extinguisher when he encountered one of the vandals.

“He hit me. I think I was just in his direct path of exit of the building. And he left as soon as he hit me,” Brennan Hutchinson told Channel 4 television about the attack.

Police have not yet announced a suspect or motive behind the attacks.

Criminals continue to target church property in the Halifax area

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Photos Courtesy: Nova Scotia RCMP

Vandals have continued attacks on church properties in the Halifax area.  The latest attack is reported at a Lower Sackville church, according to a news release from the Halifax RCMP.

“This is not art, this is a poor excuse for attention,” say’s Cpl. Dal Hutchinson, Halifax District RCMP. “There are more appropriate ways to express yourself, this is not one of them.”

The vandalism comes days after a similar attack at St. Theresa’s Catholic church and nearby Mount Olivet Cemetery.

Anti-Christian graffiti was discovered in all of the instances.  The motive of the vandals has not yet been determined.

Anyone with information about either incident is asked to contact the Halifax District RCMP at 902-490-5020. Should you wish to remain anonymous call Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers toll free at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submit a secure web tip at http://www.crimestoppers.ns.ca, or use the P3 Tips App.