Comments about ‘Brigham City banned church flier distribution near new Mormon temple, lawsuit says’

I hate to say it, but in this case I agree with the ACLU. The Brigham City ordinance is overly broad and gives too much power to the city. It puts to much emphasis on flow of traffic and too little on the right of individuals to express their ideas. Free speech means you can distribute literature without prea-approval of the city, and that is not being allowed here. I hope the courts throw out the law as the unconstitutional restriction on individual speech it is.

I saw them last week standing on the corner of Main Street with a big sign. They were blocking the pedestrian flow and it was very difficult to get around them without them having to step out into the intersection. I can see why they were prohibited from handing out literature right in front it was just TOO busy.

Why is it my freedom to walk to the church of my choice without harrassment doesn't mean as much as their freedom to hand me literature on my way to church telling me I'm wrong for worshipping the way I do? How many Jewish synagogs do they stand in front of handing out anti-Jewish literature? How many Pentacostal churches do them stand in front of during a Revival handing out anti-Pentacostal literature?

I hope Main Street doesn't pull a stunt like this at the grand opening of Park51. It's one thing to print offensive anti-Mormon material. No one cares about that. Pamphlets and media insulting Islam and the Prophet Muhammed on the other hand, that gets people killed. By the way, why are we not deploying whole divisions over to Libya right now? I mean, a 50 man Fast Company? Are you nuts?!?!

Freedom of speech, Yes, 100% for that...but the problem here is SAFETY. When the people get off the bus, trying to get to the temple gate butand are hamperedded by 'whoever' it becomes unsafe... that is what this article is about. The Church officials, the city and the police are doing their duty to protect everyone... Why make this abour free speech?

I think some of us are missing the point. The reason that group was denied access to those 2 areas was duet to safety. Safety should take precedence over everything else and that include "freedom of speech". Now with that being said, if the city did not allow that group access to distribute their information because of some other reason, then the city needs to be held accountable.

This is about principle.

It is disrespectful to act this way at this type of event - no matter how wrong and false you think their beliefs are.

To the LDS this is a sacred and special event. Let them enjoy it.

Show some decency.

A-C-L-U? J-O-K-E.

Amusing how posters "know" what's been going on but aren't anywhere near here.

The pastor and members of the Main Street Church have been on the temple block nearly every day since the open house began. The sidewalks surrounding the temple are completely open to them and they have made good use of the areas handing out their literature. They have great visibility and access to people on the North, South and East of the temple all day, every day.

It's like a "honk and wave" at 200 South and Main street. They are directly in the path of the visitors arriving from all directions. No one has told them they can't pass out their fliers. Shortly after the initial open house began, their manner of "proselitizing" became a safety hazard in the area where the busses load and unload. When that problem manifested itself, the local authorities made the changes due to the safety of all concerned.

This has not been and is still not a matter of restricting free speech. They're still free and they still speek! And good for them. They deserve that right and it is being afforded them.

Also to be noted, it is Brigham City they are at odds with, not the church. Public safety officials made the decision to change the acceptablee zones, as has been done numerous times in numerous other venues. Completely acceptable when safety is the concern.

If you want to find a venue to throw stones, you can always assume to know whats going on and always find a way to make a big deal of it, so you have a target. Many often do, especially in these forums.

The LDS Church leadership must enter this conversation with the City. They need to clearly state the importance of Free Speech protections. It is the LDS Temple that is causing all the traffic and congestion. Free Speech can and must be honored on publ;ic property. Safety can be assured, with additional rerasonable procedures.

Again, the Church needs to come forward and insist that Free Speech be honored.

How many LDS missionaries work within sight of another's church handing out stuff, striking up conversations.. Most south American and European city squares have a catholic church right there.

Now let's be nice. Agree to take their literature if they will take ours. I really cannot understand why all these bible based churches just do not consolidate into one church. What seems to be the problem?

To Claudio at 7:54 a.m.

I've been a missionary, sent children on missions, had numerous family members serve missions, and read many missionary accounts including my father's experiences from 60 years ago. I've never heard of any authorized church missionary materials that made comparisons to other churches. I've never heard of missionaries injecting themselves in the special events of other religions to proselyte and either tear down or make comparisons to that religion. I call baloney.

To claim that the LDS church does the same thing as this group is either highly dishonest, or said with embarrassing ignorance.

Also to be noted: "The complaint filed in U.S. District Court by the ACLU of Utah on behalf of the Main Street Church challenges Brigham City's free speech zone ordinance. It contends the law violates the Utah and U.S. constitutions because it requires a permit for almost any form of public expression and imposes civil and criminal penalties for failing to obtain one."

So it appears, technically, they aren't really complaining about the ability or the inability to speak freely, (because that right has NOT been taken from them), but the wording of the city ordinance.

whatnext:
[Safety should take precedence over everything else and that include "freedom of speech".]

What a disgusting thing to say. People die for freedom of speech. Cowards say garbage like this.

@K - if the Main Street Church was content to proselytize "within sight" of the temple, do you really think there would be a lawsuit, or any objection by the city, or anything for the DN to write an article about regarding the matter? Get real.

When I drove by - they were out their protesting, adjacent to the temple: so exactly how are they victims if they are doing exactly what they claim they cannot do?

Let them distribute their propaganda. It doesn't hurt anyone but them and shows just how infantile they are. No harm, no foul.

Oh by the way, if they are a little church, just where are they getting the money to file a lawsuit? I'd like to see their books.

Living in Brigham City near the temple, I drive past it daily. The members of this BC church are consistently on two corners, although there are signs on all the sidewalks around the temple declaring the sidewalks to be free speech zones. Their main corner is about 20 feet away from where people board and disembark from the buses. Often people are standing right next to the "pamphlet people" and they have the opportunity, if they choose, to hand out literature. Also, people are constantly walking past them because many people walk around the block to look at the temple. It seems to me that they have access to a lot of people. Automobile traffic is a problem around the temple. If 3 or 4 people are standing and not moving on the sidewalk with signs, it does block the already sluggish flow of pedestrian traffic.

There are two sides to every story and it would be so much better to talk about it rather than bring a lawsuit. Both churches and their members could do a better job at being friends because we all have to live together and it would be nice to do it peaceably.

Let's Debate,

Thanks for your comment, though I must say I don't appreciate being called a liar or ignorant when I'm neither. I'm sorry you weren't made aware of the literature and activities of my mission. We did in fact hand out literature that specifically compared the LDS Church to the predominant church of the area. We also were instructed to set up near these churches during holidays specific to those church's beliefs so as to further draw contrast. I haven't seen the material the Main Street Church is handing out, as I believe few on this board have, so I can't say as to whether it was negative or not. The material I and my fellow missionaries handed out was in the murky gray area; I understood perfectly if someone was offended by it, because had I been a devout member of that faith, I would be too. I still have the material from 2 years, so you can feel free to inspect them yourself. It's not baloney.

The Church isn't perfect; the Gospel is. Way to be a great parent that supports his/her kids on missions!