Religious Freedom Wins Victory Before SCOTUS
Religious freedom won a victory last month at the U.S. Supreme Court.
Street Preacher Mobbed and then Arrested at a “Pride” Event in Hot Springs, Arkansas
The following is a press release from the National Association of Christian Lawmakers.
Hot Springs, Arkansas, June 30, 2023 – Jacob Schriever’s remarkable journey of struggle,
redemption, and unwavering faith is captivating. His quest for guidance and salvation led him to
find solace and purpose through his deep-rooted faith in Christ. However, his recent experience
during the Pride Parade in Hot Springs took a harrowing turn, exposing him to aggression,
hostility, and legal challenges.
Jacob’s spiritual awakening took a turn on his 30th birthday, December 11th, 2007, when he felt
the manifestation of God’s wrath upon him while working in Chicago. Seeking guidance, Jacob
turned to his priest but found no relief from his fears and confusion. Instead, he encountered
supernatural occurrences that intensified his sense of guilt and impending doom.
Haunted by his sins and driven by the belief that his demise was inevitable, Jacob dedicated
himself to warning others and became passionate about sharing the life-saving message he had
neglected to believe. He stood on his street corner in Chicago, holding a sign that read, “Read the
Bible, it will Save your Life!”
It was by divine appointment that members of Ravenswood Baptist Church connected with Jacob
on that corner and invited him to church. Jacob found support, warmth, and compassion.
Embracing the Gospel through faith, he accepted Christ as his Savior, underwent baptism, and embarked on a journey of deepening his biblical knowledge. Jacob’s commitment to spreading
the teachings of the Bible led him to relocate to Hot Springs, where he continued to share his
message with unwavering determination.
However, on June 10th, during the Pride Parade in Hot Springs, Jacob and his friend David
Runyan faced a hostile and confrontational atmosphere they did not anticipate. As the parade
progressed, Jacob encountered numerous individuals attempting to impede his preaching and
physically confront him. Despite the hostilities, he remained resolute in his mission to finish his
preaching and protest.
The chaotic scene took a dramatic turn when Jacob was sprayed with silly string, tackled, and
caught up in a scuffle. As tensions escalated, Jacob found himself surrounded by a mob that
continued to push and attempt to seize his sign. An officer intervened, resulting in Jacob’s arrest.
He was later released from jail thanks to the generosity of an anonymous individual who paid his
bail.
Jacob’s trial for the charge of “Disorderly Conduct” is scheduled for September 21st at the
District Court in Hot Springs. He is being represented by Bob Ballinger, the Director of Law and
Policy for the National Association of Christian Lawmakers, who is dedicated to defending
Jacob’s rights.
Ballinger, remembered for his advocacy on religious liberty and First Amendment issues during
his time as a legislator, stated that “Jacob Schriever’s life serves as a testament to the
transformative power of faith and the resilience of the human spirit.” He went on to say, “despite
the trials he faces, Jacob remains unwavering in his dedication to sharing God’s Word and
warning others of the eternal consequences of their actions. His story is a powerful reminder of
the strength that can be found in faith and the enduring pursuit of Truth.”
Former Senator Jason Rapert, Founder and President of NACL, stated “Freedom of religion,
freedom of speech and the right to peacefully assemble are all in the first amendment to the U.S.
Constitution for an important reason – they are critical freedoms in our constitutional republic.
Our founding fathers listed them first in the Bill of Rights because they wanted those rights to be
protected for every person.” He went on to say, “I watched some of the footage from this
incident. Mr. Schriever was exercising his freedom of religion, his freedom of speech and his to
peacefully assemble in Hot Springs, Arkansas. He was preaching the Word of God. He should
never have been arrested and I cannot believe he is being prosecuted for exercising his rights in
the state of Arkansas. He also has every right to defend himself against the LGBTQ activists who
appeared to be assaulting him.”
In light of the legal challenges Jacob faces, his supporters have set up a GiveSendGo campaign
to assist with his legal fees. Contributions can be made at Legal Fees. Every contribution will
make a difference in Jacob’s pursuit of justice and spreading the message of faith.
US Supreme Court protects free speech for all
The following is a press release from Alliance Defending Freedom.
Friday, Jun 30, 2023
WASHINGTON – In a landmark decision Friday, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld free speech for all Americans in 303 Creative v. Elenis, stating, “as this Court has long held, the opportunity to think for ourselves and to express those thoughts freely is among our most cherished liberties and part of what keeps our Republic strong.” Alliance Defending Freedom attorneys represent Denver-area graphic artist and website designer Lorie Smith and her studio, 303 Creative, whom Colorado has censored for nearly seven years.
“The U.S. Supreme Court rightly reaffirmed that the government can’t force Americans to say things they don’t believe. The court reiterated that it’s unconstitutional for the state to eliminate from the public square ideas it dislikes, including the belief that marriage is the union of husband and wife,” said ADF CEO, President, and General Counsel Kristen Waggoner, who argued before the Supreme Court on behalf of Lorie and 303 Creative. “Disagreement isn’t discrimination, and the government can’t mislabel speech as discrimination to censor it. Lorie works with everyone, including clients who identify as LGBT. As the court highlighted, her decisions to create speech always turn on what message is requested, never on who requests it. The ruling makes clear that nondiscrimination laws remain firmly in place, and that the government has never needed to compel speech to ensure access to goods and services.”
“This is a win for all Americans,” Waggoner added. “The government should no more censor Lorie for speaking consistent with her beliefs about marriage than it should punish an LGBT graphic designer for declining to criticize same-sex marriage. If we desire freedom for ourselves, we must defend it for others.”
ADF attorneys sued Colorado in 2016 on Smith’s behalf for misusing state law to violate the U.S. Constitution. They argued that a Supreme Court decision for Smith would benefit all Americans, regardless of their beliefs, and help end nearly two decades of unconstitutional government coercion against artists. In New Mexico, photographer Elaine Huguenin is out of business; in Washington, floral artist Barronelle Stutzman was forced to retire; in New York, photographer and blogger Emilee Carpenter faces six figure fines and even jail; and in Colorado, the state has used the very law at issue in this case to punish cake artist Jack Phillips, who is enduring his third lawsuit after more than a decade of litigation.
In its decision reversing the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit, the Supreme Court made clear that the government can’t force Smith to create speech that violates her beliefs just as it cannot force a pro-abortion filmmaker to make a documentary supporting the pro-life movement, a lesbian artist to draw illustrations for a Christian book on marriage, or a Democrat publicist to pen Republican talking points.
“[T]he freedom to think and speak is among our inalienable human rights… By allowing all views to flourish, the framers understood, we may test and improve our own thinking both as individuals and as a Nation,” the Supreme Court wrote in its opinion.
“I’m incredibly grateful for the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling, which says I am free to create art consistent with my beliefs without fear of Colorado punishing me,” said Smith. “This is a victory not just for me but for all Americans across our great country—for those who share my beliefs and for those who hold different beliefs. Whether you’re an LGBT graphic designer, a Jewish calligrapher, an Atheist speechwriter, or a pro-life photographer, the government shouldn’t force any of us to say something we don’t believe. I love people and work with everyone, including those who identify as LGBT. For me, it’s always about what message is requested, never the person requesting. I hope that, regardless of what people think of me or my beliefs, everyone will celebrate that the court upheld the right for each of us to speak freely.”
The Supreme Court’s decision also reaffirms the government’s ability to protect people’s access to basic goods and services. Public-accommodation laws will continue to ensure people have access to goods and services. The ruling affirms America’s commitment to free speech, which has helped advance some of its most significant progress—from abolishing slavery and securing women’s right to vote to passing the 1964 Civil Rights Act. Each of these movements flourished because America refused to coerce or silence speech.
“Without the freedom to speak, we shutter diverse views, meaningful debate, and the conditions for progress,” Waggoner explained. “Regardless of one’s beliefs, race, faith, or identity, no one should be punished by the government for saying what they believe. Political and cultural winds shift, but the First Amendment’s promise remains constant. If our civil liberties are to have any meaning, people must be free to speak consistently with the very core of who they are. The Supreme Court’s ruling ensures that future generations will enjoy this most essential of freedoms.”
Alliance Defending Freedom is an alliance-building, non-profit legal organization committed to protecting religious freedom, free speech, parental rights, and the sanctity of life.
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