interesting snippet of dialogue, Jesse says to the Police officer as he is being led away, [b]"I do this for a living".
'I do "this" for a living'.......
"this".....well, lil ole Jesse might have some Biblical go ahead to hang his claim on, as Paul did say you don't muzzle the oxen while its treading out the grain.
sad stuff.
Yeah, I was rather turned off by that comment. No doubt, press like this makes him more money. But oh well, he probably just barely makes a living doing this.
I may not agree with Jesse's Theology, but he sure did argue well for the 1st amendment.
Go Jesse!
He filed a suit against the University??
As soon as that Police officer said to leave, he should have shut his mouth and left and went before God.
Maybe he "makes a living" by getting a settlement after filing a first amendment case against school administrators. He said he had 3 lawsuits so far with one still pending and two already settled.
by Mahoney on 2009/11/29 18:58:37
"I may not agree with Jesse's Theology, but he sure did argue well for the 1st amendment.
Go Jesse!.......
My sentiments exactly.
You have got to admire the guy. He's dedicated and articulate, and doesn't seem afraid at all. This antagonism against him shows the evolution of secular humanism on campus, compared to a generation ago, when Campus Crusades for Christ, and many other organizations would have joined in...[ except for Morrell's off the wall theology..]
The times are changing...fast, and it is not in favor of biblical Christianity.
They did not like him at all. We're right behind him....
Matt. 10
"You shall be hated by all."
Ironically, Jesse Morrell would have been allowed to preach on the University property if he had filed a request. Public universities have "free speech" areas that are designated for such activity. If he wanted to do so, Jesse could have easily obtained permission to do so.
Jesse Morrell has no more of a legal "right" to preach anywhere on a public college campus than a Muslim cleric has a "right" to preach on a public elementary school campus during school, or a Jehovah's Witness inside of the public walls of the US Capitol, or Mormons inside of the local Department of Motor Vehicles. Now, open air preachers like Jesse can certainly do this...but they must abide by the local laws. Most schools belong to "special districts" and can create their own laws and organize their own police department. Preachers can preach upon such property by going through the right procedures or administrative avenues.
Jesse Morrell should know by now that he should do this BEFORE he goes about preaching. He says that the officers should have informed him -- but he already has been arrested several times for this same thing. Unfortunately, I have seen several open air preachers who use these sort of arrests as "publicity stunts." They arrive to a campus unannounced and then commence loudly pronouncing judgment upon the campus (often for behavior). Instead of going to the authorities to find out how, when and where they can preach...they take it upon themselves to do as they wish. They almost boast about being arrested...while also acting like they are a "victim." They become evangelists for "free speech" much more than the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Jesse has a "right" to preach in the United States. However, local jurisdictions often have limits. I can preach in a public, open air park UNLESS there is a guideline that causes some restrictions or conflict of interest (such as if the park is closed at a certain time or if the park is designated for a particular purpose -- like eating or recreation).
The Word of God says that we are to submit to authorities and magistrates. These "authorities" are not just confined to the national government. They include states, counties, cities and special districts. School districts in many states even set tax rates and bonds through referendums. Jesus showed us by example that we are still subject to those earthly requirements. Jesse Morrell simply needs to figure out what is needed of him before he goes about making "his living."
Somehow, I think that he should already know this by now.
Somehow, I think that he should already know this by now.
Interesting how he has "armed" himself with audio and video recorders just in case he finally gets beat up and hits the jackpot.
Hmmm, looks like the perfect Law keeper overlooked Romans 13 and what it says about submitting to authorities.
Well Chris makes perfectly sense. I believe it was Tommy Hicks that great revivalist that shook Argentina that went to the President of that country to ask permission to preach the gospel. At first he was refused. But God told him to go back and ask again, after the Presidents wife was healed miraculously of an incurable disease, the doors for the gospel were swung open.
In this city, Churches and open air preachers go to city hall and they get permission to preach in the city square and they get permits for the season. They have to petition each year to renew their permits.
It's not preaching the gospel that has anyone arrested here, it's not going through the proper channels to have the right to be there. For example, we have a bi-law that says that all pan handlers are to avoid King Street, if they are found there, they will be arrested and charged. Now if one goes through the proper procedures and has the right to preach like when Brother Shambach went to the city of Pharr Texas. He got all his documents signed and approved by the Mayor before he came into that town. This was in his early days of ministering. He set up the tent, he was beginning to preach when the Mayor and a Police officer showed up and told him that if he continued with this that he was going to be arrested. Shambach told him that he was here legally, signed by you the Mayor. The Mayor said, "I don't care, I don't agree with this gospel". Shambach responded, "You do what you have to but I am going to do what I am called to do". So he preached and afterward he was arrested. He asked the officer, "Whats the charge"? Preaching the gospel with a loud speaker! Shambach replied, "I'm guilty, I am glad that I am guilty of that charge".
So he went to Jail over night and the next day he was in court and the court fined him for $350. That was big money in those days for a young preacher. Most of the people under that tent that night were Mexicans and all they had were nickels, they paid it. While this was going on, the news-media got a hold of it made the 6 o'clock news. "The preacher who got arrested". Satan should have left well enough alone. Since the tent only had a few to start out with, now it was teeming with people to get in. Well the Police came again after the meeting and arrested him. This time the fine was $1000. And the fine after that was pretty close to $10,000.
To finish up the story. A Baptist lawyer heard about what happened to Shambach who is a Pentecostal and he went down there to see what he could do being successful in these types of cases. The whole thing ended up in the supreme court. And the supreme court said, "if you got a law on your books saying that he can't preach the gospel with a loud speaker, I order you to remove it., furthermore, you are to repay this man all those fines with interest.". He then took that money and built a bible school.
This is persecution by man and retribution by our LORD.
Jesse has a false humility and his motive is wrong Jesse's wrath worketh not the righteousness of God. James 1:20. We have witnessed his anger on this website.
Preachers who think that everyone should be on their knees repenting without getting a clear mandate from God are out on a limb and on their own. God moved on the isle of Lewis in Scotland and people were crying out to God for mercy and there was no preacher there to tell them to repent, God moved. God is the only one that doesn't need permission from governments to throw His weight around, He is the government!
We on the other hand do because we are subject to these elements and ordinances. Therefore let all things be done decently and in order. 1 Corinthians 14:40
In America.
Our permit for free speech is the Constitution. So we already have our permit to speek.
All public property has been ruled several times by courts to be free speech zones. there is of course reasonable time and position considerations. Example would be in front of a hospital on a public sidewalk. A preacher cannot be yelling so loud as to disturb the patience inside.
The free speech in America is a very important right that needs to be excercised. Otherwise it will be taken away.
In Canada, we have the same freedom. Your missing the point. Free speech is not having your own way whenever you want to have it. It's having the freedom to express yourself at the designated venues. There are laws that are in place for "disturbing the peace".Our permit for free speech is the Constitution. So we already have our permit to speak.
As an open air preacher, I've run into troubles with the law and authorities on these things. You can show up and preach open air with little to know problem on most public sidewalks, especially at universities. I did speak at a community college once where I was given a lecture by the security there, but each and every time I complied with them. If they asked me to move to another location, I did. If they said I was being too loud, and they could hear me inside their buildings, I lowered my volume.
Once one of the security officers, a Christian, told me he personally had no problem with me being there and preaching. He was all for it. But eventually he did make it clear to me that the powers at that college did not like me there preaching, specifically, the Vice President of the school who was slated to take over the role as President next year, and he didn't want anything happening on his watch that somehow slowed his career down.
Even when it is clear that the authorities are abusing their powers and violating our rights, as Christians we should follow the example of Christ that we read about in 1 Peter. We should choose rather to suffer, and not be individuals who insist on our right. Indeed, in insisting on our rights, we may be cutting off the hand of God over our circumstance, who might be looking to do something else altogether. No doubt, the apostle Paul from time to time insisted on his rights when he discerned there was wisdom in doing so. But at other times, he allowed them to be violated. Indeed, his refusal to insist on his rights eventually landed him before Caesar!
One thing is for sure, dragging the media into this is very tacky and self-serving. It's also manipulative, as he knows by dragging the media into such a story, the university who doesn't want any bad press, and is likely to cave. Christ taught us that when they persecute us in one city because of the gospel, we are supposed to wipe the dust off our shoes and turn away from that city. We aren't supposed to pull a PR stunt to force them to listen to us. If people don't want to hear the gospel, then it is God's judgment upon them to keep the gospel from ever entering their ears again so as to be saved. Instead of preaching the gospel to people who have no interest whatsoever in it, I'd rather spend my time preaching it to people who do want to listen to it.
I've yet to return to two locations to preach open-air ever since it was made clear to me by local authorities that I was not really welcomed. If they don't want to hear it, or don't want others to, then that's God's judgment on them.
Interesting conversation. On one hand I am happy to see someone exercising their 1st Ammendment rights. Personally I love to see citizens of America antagonize the government... when the government is wrong.
I don't know this guy at all, so I can not judge his heart. However I would warn those who are called to preach in the streets... be careful that you don't become more about the 1st Ammendment than you are about Jesus.
Krispy
"If he was truly willing to abide by campus rules, he would have learned how go about it by now.
"Interesting how he has "armed" himself with audio and video recorders just in case he finally gets beat up and hits the jackpot."
LEO_GRACE
Good point. I never thought of that. [ should of. ] He had an emergency arrest back-pack already prepared, and made it a point to instruct would be street preachers what to put in it, and Supreme Court decisions handy to prove his case. He wanted to get arrested, and boasted about winning in court twice before......[ settlements ].
Instead of wanting to see souls saved, and the Holy Word go forth; it seems Jesse is making a name for himself. This explains his coolness under fire, and bravado. He was hoping conflict would come.
Good thinking Leo_Grace.
There is no such thing as "bad publicity".
Krispy
There is no such thing as "bad publicity".
There is when you bring reproach to Christ.
From a legal stand point, that Police Officer clearly broke the law. He lied by saying it was a private campus.
From a Christian stand point, we should send missionaries to China even if it is illegal. We should obey God rather than man as the Apostles said when the authorities forbad them from preaching.
I read about Jesse's lawsuits online. It appears that it is only his attornies that make big money. Jesse only gets one dollar from each lawsuit.
I also found this video online of Jesse's arrest: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=doBKjgLBey8
Jesse said in these videos that he tries his best to avoid lawsuits. He said he just wants to preach the gospel. He obviously isn't in it for the money. Maybe he really does have a heart for God and the lost?
It is good to see somebody who cares enough to get out there and do something, even if he is critized by other so called Christians and is opposed by the authorities.
The audio recording of the Police say that he was arrested for "trespassing" "disorderly conduct" and "disturbing the peace". They said nothing about not acquiring a permit. Jesse was clearly arrested for preaching the Gospel on public property.
As believers we should encourage brethren who are suffering persecution, not accuse them and question their motives. If a man is willing to publicly preach Jesus and suffer for Jesus it is probably because he loves Jesus.
There is when you bring reproach to Christ.
Of course I was referring to the human aspect... [b]if
I would trust you knew I was not suggesting that we bring reproach upon the name of Christ.
Krispy
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