Smokey the Baptist

[Jerome]

Trooper sued for sharing tract:

http://www.wlwt.com/news/driver-suing-ind-state-trooper-over-proselytizing-traffic-stop/28966484

after giving Bogan the warning, the lawsuit states Hamilton stayed by her window and "asked if she had accepted Jesus Christ as her savior." Hamilton then returned to his cruiser and returned to give her a pamphlet from a Baptist church in Cambridge City, Ind., which included a mention of "Policing for Jesus Ministries" and stated that the reader was required to acknowledge that they were a sinner."

 

[Rolfe]

After comming to the States, I lived in a town in Illinois where one police officer was well known for giving people a break if they called Dial-a-Prayer. He even gave them the change for the phone call. He was well liked.

Of course, this was back in the 1970s.

 

[Sapper Woody]

I read the story and the lawsuit. The article has a couple of minor things skewed, but has all the major points right. The trooper was way out of line. He used his authority as a trooper to coerce the situation into a witnessing attempt. The woman couldn't leave, because he kept his lights on. Plus, the reason he stopped her wasn't even what he gave her a warning for. She's going to win this case without a fight.

 

[InTheLight]

I read the story and the lawsuit. The article has a couple of minor things skewed, but has all the major points right. The trooper was way out of line. He used his authority as a trooper to coerce the situation into a witnessing attempt. The woman couldn't leave, because he kept his lights on. Plus, the reason he stopped her wasn't even what he gave her a warning for. She's going to win this case without a fight.

While the trooper acted out of line, I'd be surprised if a judge would allow her case to be heard. She wants damages paid to her because she was "terribly upset" by the troopers questions about her spiritual condition. She is suing because she believes the trooper was attempting to establish a state religion and for unlawfully detaining her.

 

[Salty]

...She is suing because she believes the trooper was attempting to establish a state religion and for unlawfully detaining her.

(Bold my emphasis)

She just might have a point.

 

[PreachTony]

While the trooper acted out of line, I'd be surprised if a judge would allow her case to be heard. She wants damages paid to her because she was "terribly upset" by the troopers questions about her spiritual condition. She is suing because she believes the trooper was attempting to establish a state religion and for unlawfully detaining her.

I think we keep forgetting just how much power we have as Christians...I mean, if a single small-town cop is capable of establishing an entire state religion, just imagine what we could do if we could actually get past our petty differences... [/sarcasm]

 

[Crabtownboy]

If he has the right to do as he did, then so does every Moslem, Buddhist, Athiest, etc. A civil right for one is a civil right for all.

This fellow was out of line as he was on work time.

 

[Salty]

If he has the right to do as he did, then so does every Moslem, Buddhist, Athiest, etc. A civil right for one is a civil right for all.

This fellow was out of line as he was on work time.

More so in his offical govt position.

In my job as a C-Store clerk - I will make comments - and if the customer is receptive (with no other customers waiting) I will engage in a brief conversation.

 

[Jerome]

Trooper Ignores Warning, Is Fired

Second woman tells of being needled about church and salvation during traffic stop:

Pyle filed a formal complaint with the Indiana State Police and was later told that Hamilton had placed her on a prayer list at his church, the suit says.

Hamilton had previously been sued following a similar stop in August 2014, during which driver Ellen Bogan accused him of violating her constitutional rights.

Bogan claimed that Hamilton asked her several times about her religious beliefs. He also allegedly gave her a pamphlet from First Baptist Church in Cambridge City, which asks readers to acknowledge being a sinner, and advertised a radio broadcast titled "Policing for Jesus Ministries."

Fox 59 reported that Hamilton was warned in writing after the incident, and was specifically told not to "question others regarding their religious beliefs nor provide religious pamphlets or similar advertisements."