Supreme Court will consider
evangelization case from Ohio
___WASHINGTON (RNS) --The Supreme Court has decided to consider a case that questions whether an Ohio town has violated the rights of Jehovah's Witnesses, who are required to gain permission from a mayor before knocking on doors.
___The Jehovah's Witnesses believe the ordinance in Stratton, Ohio, aims to limit their mission work, which includes going door-to-door to hand out free literature and recruit believers.
___The 3-year-old law requires potential solicitors to reveal their names, addresses for the past five years, and the names and addresses of the groups with which they are affiliated. The mayor grants the permits, which can be demanded by a homeowner.
___The high court will determine if the restrictions are unconstitutional.
___"Are religious ministers engaged in a scripturally based, centuries-old practice of communicating their religious beliefs from door-to-door constitutionally equivalent to peddlers of merchandise?" attorneys for the Jehovah's Witnesses asked the court.
___Leaders of Stratton told the court the ordinance is reasonable in "weighing the First Amendment rights of canvassers against the right of homeowners to security, privacy and peacefulness in their homes." They also said that the permits are free and no one has been denied one.
___An appellate court upheld the ordinance earlier this year, saying it did not discriminate because it was a requirement of all people, no matter what their purpose or message.
___Barry Lynn, executive director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, issued a statement supporting the position of the Jehovah's Witnesses.
___"People wishing to share their faith with others shouldn't have to ask the government for permission first," he said. "The First Amendment protects the right of religious groups to spread their views."
The Baptist Standard
News of religion, faith, missions, Bible study and Christian ministry among Texas Baptist churches, in the BGCT, the Southern Baptist Convention ( SBC ) and around the world.
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