1) Catholics Demand Removal of Oregon Billboard Branding Pope as the Anti-Christ:
A Public Debate Over "Hate Speech," Free Expression
AA News
29 Jul 01 >>>> (2001)<<<<
Larry Weathers, a barber in the town of Talent, Oregon has some pretty
strong feelings when it comes to religion and especially the Vatican.
Weathers is a member of the Rogue Valley Historical Seventh-day Adventists,
a congregation of about 40 which is considered a "renegade" by the larger
Adventist denomination. The church distributes a 94-page book, "The
National Sunday Law," that claims to reveal the identity of the Anti-
Christ, a shadowy figure and proxy for the devil who will walk the earth
during the last days prior to the Second Coming of Jesus. "The pope is the
antichrist," says Mr. Weathers, and he is so sure of this that he has
purchased space on a high-profile advertising billboard proclaiming the
same. The colorful sign sits along Interstate 5 outside of Medford,
Oregon.
Roman Catholics and the Archdiocese of Portland, are furious, and they are
demanding removal of the billboard which Weathers legally rented from
Outdoor Media Dimensions.
"It's a deliberately and gratuitously offensive statement that singles out
Catholics for contempt," Rev. Liam Cary of the Sacred Heart Catholic
Church in Medford declared. "It's not in someone's back yard. It's right
there, in your face, on a public road."
So are crosses and other religious iconography on church buildings,
though, along with outdoor ads promoting prayer and religious belief. The
Oregon billboard has ignited a spirited debate over free expression and
"hate speech," especially when it is directed against a religious
institution.
"What's to stop someone from putting an anti-Jewish billboard up or an
anti-black or anti-Hispanic billboard up?" Cary mused in an interview with
the Mail Tribune newspaper. "I'm sure there would be a great uproar in
Medford. But if it's anti-Catholic, why do we tolerate it?"
Weathers defends the billboard, and the tome which claims to unmask the
pesky Anti-Christ. "The book outlines who the anti-Christ is," he said.
"Anti means in the place of Christ. A lot of people think it means against
Christ. Any pope that holds that office becomes the person on Earth that
represents Christ."
Underneath the words "The POPE Is The ANTICHRIST" the billboard invites
people to visit http://www.anti-christ666.com, a amateurish web site which
asks, "Do you REALLY know the TRUTH about the Anti-Chris or the number 666?
With SOOOOOO many theories floating around, WHAT is the absolute info that
is un-refutable?" Surfers can then sign up for the free reading material
which presumably will reveal a potpourri of theological and eschatological
truths.
The sign has sparked a debate over free expression and "hate speech,"
especially since a powerful religious figure is being attacked. The
Portland-based Catholic Sentinel newspaper said that the billboard
"presages the start of a new West Coast campaign to discredit the Catholic
Church." It quoted one Sacred Heart Parish member, Kathy Morgan: "As a
Catholic, I do find the billboard offensive, but it also just makes us in
southern Oregon look like idiots. It makes us look like a bunch of
hicks..."
Dominican priest Gerald Buckley told the Sentinel that the billboard was "a
disgrace," and urged its removal. "We get e-mail and letters from people
traveling from California who see this sign just as they come into the
state. Can you imagine putting something up like that about the Jews or
Martin Luther King?" he asked.
Church Working Against Free Expression?
The Portland Archdiocese has called for removal of the sign, focusing its
wrath not only on Larry Weathers but the billboard rental company, Outdoor
Media Dimensions. Bud Brunch, director of communications for the
Archdiocese, told World Net Daily that, "This is not a First Amendment
issue; it's not a free-speech issue." He suggested, "It's a matter of what
kind of advertising that a media outlet will accept," and added that a
public billboard -- a device used to promote everything from brand name
products to organizations and even religious messages -- is "not a media
outlet you can turn off like a car radio."
A prepared statement from Outdoor Media read, "The content expressed on
billboards leased by Outdoor Media Dimensions does not in any way express
the opinion or beliefs of our company or staff."
An attorney for the firm, Alan Herson, told the Mail Tribune, "The person
who bought space from the billboard people has the right to free speech
like all Americans do. If the Archdiocese doesn't like it, rather than
censorship, they should print their own speech and buy a billboard. That's
the American way. Your newspaper (The Mail Tribune) quotes anti-Semitic
statements regularly, and nobody is calling for an end to your newspaper."
The church, though, seems willing to sacrifice the principle of free
expression in order to protect its own public image. The Diocesan
newspaper noted that "Three years ago, the local Catholic vicariate (sic)
even agreed to a conscious policy to remain mum (about the sign) not
wanting to hurt the cause of an unrelated lawsuit that would press
billboard companies to get state permits."
Added Jon Legg, identified as a committee member of the Archdiocese of
Portland group, "We don't want to get into a big flap on religion. We
don't want the billboard people to have freedom of speech and religion as a
defense." (Quoted in The Catholic Sentinel, July 27, 2001 "Spruced-up
billboard marks beginning of new 'pope-is-Antichrist' campaign.")
"I do not believe hate messages should fall under the aegis of freedom of
speech," declared Mary Jo Tully, chancellor of the archdiocese. "Hate
messages are simply unacceptable no matter at whom they are directed."
A Theme Since The Protestant Reformation
Billboards, books and other materials suggesting a relationship between the
Roman Catholic Church and the Anti-Christ are not new. Indeed, the Church
of Rome was condemned during the Protestant Reformation by figures like
Thomas Muentzer and Martin Luther as a sinful institution debauched by
privilege, wealth and arbitrary rule. That theme has lived on in many
Protestant quarters, often incorporated into a wider narrative about the
Apocalypse and the coming of the Anti-Christ. Before the end of the world,
say some believers, Satan will establish a fraudulent church -- identified
by some as the Catholic religion -- to begin a campaign of persecution
against "true Christians."
According to the Sentinel, Mr. Weathers presumably is receiving "tens of
thousands of dollars" for his anti-pope billboard campaign from an
individual "out of state with deep pockets." He is also part of a "loose
association" of "renegade" Seventh-day Adventists which are linked to
businessman Danny Vierra. Vierra heads Modern Manna Ministries in Lodi,
California, and peddles a combination of health food products and Bible
prophecy materials. His radio show, "Healthline," airs on stations
throughout the country.
The Oregon fracas also represents a global "turf war" between established
denominations, including the Catholic Church, and energized Protestant
fundamentalist and evangelical ministries many of which are aggressively
proselytizing in the U.S. and elsewhere. For instance, the Rogue Valley
group of which Mr. Weathers is a member has connections to Printed Page
Ministries of Troy, Montana. run by a former Portland car salesman named
Les Balsiger. Balsiger is publisher of "The Protestant," and is planning
on opening a training school for Adventist activists in Eastern Europe.
Another figure in the anti-Catholic Adventist movement is Raphael Perez, a
Florida preacher who is working with Balsiger to expand their respective
ministries. Perez is even involved in a court fight with the Seventh-Day
Adventist church over his use of the word "Adventist."
As for the billboard outside of Medford, Oregon and other anti-Catholic
advertisements, the Seventh-day Adventist Church denies any responsibility.
A spokesperson told the Catholic Sentinel, "Billboards attacking the pope,
and by implication the Catholic Church, are not associated with any
ministry sponsored or approved by the Seventh-day Adventist church. The
group calling themselves SDA Remnant Ministries (Rogue Valley) ... chooses
its form of theology and ministry outside of that which is approved by the
Seventh-day Adventist organization."
A broader question has less to do with doctrinal minutiae, though, than
with free expression. The Portland Archdiocese is supporting efforts to
have the state essentially use its licensing power to censor billboards
that may deal with controversial themes -- in this case, statements
unfavorable to one of the state's most powerful religious groups. The
assertion that attacking religion in any form is a type of "hate speech"
has also become more prevalent in the debate over free expression. It
seems that along with commercial advocacy for products like liquor and
cigarettes, salacious musical lyrics, or anything having to do with the
risque, opinions critical of religion may soon no longer find protection under the mantle of the First Amendment.
29 Jul 01 >>>> (2001)<<<<
Larry Weathers, a barber in the town of Talent, Oregon has some pretty
strong feelings when it comes to religion and especially the Vatican.
Weathers is a member of the Rogue Valley Historical Seventh-day Adventists,
a congregation of about 40 which is considered a "renegade" by the larger
Adventist denomination. The church distributes a 94-page book, "The
National Sunday Law," that claims to reveal the identity of the Anti-
Christ, a shadowy figure and proxy for the devil who will walk the earth
during the last days prior to the Second Coming of Jesus. "The pope is the
antichrist," says Mr. Weathers, and he is so sure of this that he has
purchased space on a high-profile advertising billboard proclaiming the
same. The colorful sign sits along Interstate 5 outside of Medford,
Oregon.
Roman Catholics and the Archdiocese of Portland, are furious, and they are
demanding removal of the billboard which Weathers legally rented from
Outdoor Media Dimensions.
"It's a deliberately and gratuitously offensive statement that singles out
Catholics for contempt," Rev. Liam Cary of the Sacred Heart Catholic
Church in Medford declared. "It's not in someone's back yard. It's right
there, in your face, on a public road."
So are crosses and other religious iconography on church buildings,
though, along with outdoor ads promoting prayer and religious belief. The
Oregon billboard has ignited a spirited debate over free expression and
"hate speech," especially when it is directed against a religious
institution.
"What's to stop someone from putting an anti-Jewish billboard up or an
anti-black or anti-Hispanic billboard up?" Cary mused in an interview with
the Mail Tribune newspaper. "I'm sure there would be a great uproar in
Medford. But if it's anti-Catholic, why do we tolerate it?"
Weathers defends the billboard, and the tome which claims to unmask the
pesky Anti-Christ. "The book outlines who the anti-Christ is," he said.
"Anti means in the place of Christ. A lot of people think it means against
Christ. Any pope that holds that office becomes the person on Earth that
represents Christ."
Underneath the words "The POPE Is The ANTICHRIST" the billboard invites
people to visit http://www.anti-christ666.com, a amateurish web site which
asks, "Do you REALLY know the TRUTH about the Anti-Chris or the number 666?
With SOOOOOO many theories floating around, WHAT is the absolute info that
is un-refutable?" Surfers can then sign up for the free reading material
which presumably will reveal a potpourri of theological and eschatological
truths.
The sign has sparked a debate over free expression and "hate speech,"
especially since a powerful religious figure is being attacked. The
Portland-based Catholic Sentinel newspaper said that the billboard
"presages the start of a new West Coast campaign to discredit the Catholic
Church." It quoted one Sacred Heart Parish member, Kathy Morgan: "As a
Catholic, I do find the billboard offensive, but it also just makes us in
southern Oregon look like idiots. It makes us look like a bunch of
hicks..."
Dominican priest Gerald Buckley told the Sentinel that the billboard was "a
disgrace," and urged its removal. "We get e-mail and letters from people
traveling from California who see this sign just as they come into the
state. Can you imagine putting something up like that about the Jews or
Martin Luther King?" he asked.
Church Working Against Free Expression?
The Portland Archdiocese has called for removal of the sign, focusing its
wrath not only on Larry Weathers but the billboard rental company, Outdoor
Media Dimensions. Bud Brunch, director of communications for the
Archdiocese, told World Net Daily that, "This is not a First Amendment
issue; it's not a free-speech issue." He suggested, "It's a matter of what
kind of advertising that a media outlet will accept," and added that a
public billboard -- a device used to promote everything from brand name
products to organizations and even religious messages -- is "not a media
outlet you can turn off like a car radio."
A prepared statement from Outdoor Media read, "The content expressed on
billboards leased by Outdoor Media Dimensions does not in any way express
the opinion or beliefs of our company or staff."
An attorney for the firm, Alan Herson, told the Mail Tribune, "The person
who bought space from the billboard people has the right to free speech
like all Americans do. If the Archdiocese doesn't like it, rather than
censorship, they should print their own speech and buy a billboard. That's
the American way. Your newspaper (The Mail Tribune) quotes anti-Semitic
statements regularly, and nobody is calling for an end to your newspaper."
The church, though, seems willing to sacrifice the principle of free
expression in order to protect its own public image. The Diocesan
newspaper noted that "Three years ago, the local Catholic vicariate (sic)
even agreed to a conscious policy to remain mum (about the sign) not
wanting to hurt the cause of an unrelated lawsuit that would press
billboard companies to get state permits."
Added Jon Legg, identified as a committee member of the Archdiocese of
Portland group, "We don't want to get into a big flap on religion. We
don't want the billboard people to have freedom of speech and religion as a
defense." (Quoted in The Catholic Sentinel, July 27, 2001 "Spruced-up
billboard marks beginning of new 'pope-is-Antichrist' campaign.")
"I do not believe hate messages should fall under the aegis of freedom of
speech," declared Mary Jo Tully, chancellor of the archdiocese. "Hate
messages are simply unacceptable no matter at whom they are directed."
A Theme Since The Protestant Reformation
Billboards, books and other materials suggesting a relationship between the
Roman Catholic Church and the Anti-Christ are not new. Indeed, the Church
of Rome was condemned during the Protestant Reformation by figures like
Thomas Muentzer and Martin Luther as a sinful institution debauched by
privilege, wealth and arbitrary rule. That theme has lived on in many
Protestant quarters, often incorporated into a wider narrative about the
Apocalypse and the coming of the Anti-Christ. Before the end of the world,
say some believers, Satan will establish a fraudulent church -- identified
by some as the Catholic religion -- to begin a campaign of persecution
against "true Christians."
According to the Sentinel, Mr. Weathers presumably is receiving "tens of
thousands of dollars" for his anti-pope billboard campaign from an
individual "out of state with deep pockets." He is also part of a "loose
association" of "renegade" Seventh-day Adventists which are linked to
businessman Danny Vierra. Vierra heads Modern Manna Ministries in Lodi,
California, and peddles a combination of health food products and Bible
prophecy materials. His radio show, "Healthline," airs on stations
throughout the country.
The Oregon fracas also represents a global "turf war" between established
denominations, including the Catholic Church, and energized Protestant
fundamentalist and evangelical ministries many of which are aggressively
proselytizing in the U.S. and elsewhere. For instance, the Rogue Valley
group of which Mr. Weathers is a member has connections to Printed Page
Ministries of Troy, Montana. run by a former Portland car salesman named
Les Balsiger. Balsiger is publisher of "The Protestant," and is planning
on opening a training school for Adventist activists in Eastern Europe.
Another figure in the anti-Catholic Adventist movement is Raphael Perez, a
Florida preacher who is working with Balsiger to expand their respective
ministries. Perez is even involved in a court fight with the Seventh-Day
Adventist church over his use of the word "Adventist."
As for the billboard outside of Medford, Oregon and other anti-Catholic
advertisements, the Seventh-day Adventist Church denies any responsibility.
A spokesperson told the Catholic Sentinel, "Billboards attacking the pope,
and by implication the Catholic Church, are not associated with any
ministry sponsored or approved by the Seventh-day Adventist church. The
group calling themselves SDA Remnant Ministries (Rogue Valley) ... chooses
its form of theology and ministry outside of that which is approved by the
Seventh-day Adventist organization."
A broader question has less to do with doctrinal minutiae, though, than
with free expression. The Portland Archdiocese is supporting efforts to
have the state essentially use its licensing power to censor billboards
that may deal with controversial themes -- in this case, statements
unfavorable to one of the state's most powerful religious groups. The
assertion that attacking religion in any form is a type of "hate speech"
has also become more prevalent in the debate over free expression. It
seems that along with commercial advocacy for products like liquor and
cigarettes, salacious musical lyrics, or anything having to do with the
risque, opinions critical of religion may soon no longer find protection under the mantle of the First Amendment.