During a church service the pastor at the 12Stone Church in Flowery Branch, GA made some complimentary remarks about the work of teachers and asked these individuals to be recognized. Pastor Jason Berry asked any teachers in the present stand and be recognized. Congregation member David Justin Freeman, an advocate of homeschooling, in the back of the church rose with the others, extended his hand toward the preacher and gave him the bird, the proverbial erect middle finger.
Eventually he was cited for disorderly conduct, was tried and found guilty by a jury.
His case was appealed and unanimously overturned by the Supreme Court of Georgia (www.gasupreme.us/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/s17a1040.pdf) who said, “Freeman could not be found guilty under the disorderly conduct statute, Justice Harold Melton wrote, “because there is no showing here that Freeman’s act of silently raising his middle finger from the back of church during the service constituted ‘fighting words’ or a ‘true threat’ that would amount to a tumultuous act” which is required under the Georgia statue. So, feel free to visit a Georgia church anytime, and if the pastor says something you don’t like, you’re free to make any hand gestures you like.
You just can’t make this stuff up.
*Portions of this text are quoted from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Monday 10/2/2017.
