UPDATE:Pennsylvania Teenager Simulates Oral Sex With Jesus Statue

[Matt1970]

He should receive the same punishment as if he did that to a Ronald McDonald statue.

None

Look at the smile on his face.

 

[Jaskalas]

If there's a crime for obscenity then that'd fit, but certainly not 2 years. Show him a cell overnight or something.

 

[Londo_Jowo]

It's not trespassing unless he has been asked to leave.

At most, they should be able to charge him with vandalism, and only if he damaged the statue.

Not according to Pennsylvania law

http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs...ype=HTM&ttl=18&div=0&chpt=35&sctn=3&subsctn=0

(b.1) Simple trespasser.--​

(1) A person commits an offense if, knowing that he is not licensed or privileged to do so, he enters or remains in any place for the purpose of:​

(i) threatening or terrorizing the owner or occupant of the premises;​

(ii) starting or causing to be started any fire upon the premises; or​

(iii) defacing or damaging the premises.​

 

[nehalem256]

If its public space and not physically harming another person, then what's the problem? If you or you don't want your kids to see such a thing, maybe don't go outside. Public decency laws are more or less based on religious views.

So if someone wanted to hold a dog fighting ring in a public space you would support this?

 

[shira]

Free speech doesn't give one the right to go on another person or organization's property to exercise it.

He should be shown the same respect he showed the owners of the property/statue..........NONE!

Again, we agree that this is a trespassing issue. The problem is that the child is being prosecuted under a "disrespect of venerated objects" law. Can you please stay on topic?

 

[MrPickins]

Not according to Pennsylvania law

http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs...ype=HTM&ttl=18&div=0&chpt=35&sctn=3&subsctn=0

I suppose that depends on whether the statue was "defaced", then.


Personally, I think it's a waste of resources prosecuting silly things like this.

 

[Londo_Jowo]

I suppose that depends on whether the statue was "defaced", then.

Personally, I think it's a waste of resources prosecuting silly things like this.

I do as well, if anything let the kid perform a few hours of community service and be done with it.

 

[MongGrel]

It'll probably make him think about being that big of an idiot again one way or the other, no matter the outcome.

 

[Humpy]

At my church we often celebrate our spirituality in a similar way.

All of you who feel the young man in the OP has done something wrong are freedom hating, anti-religious scumbags.

 

[senseamp]

Victimless thought crime.

 

[Anarchist420]

It beats my T-bag to the point that my stomach hurts when anyone wants that good kid arrested (especially since it is public property and the kid was just trying to impress people). Morality can't be legislated; does that explain why moralistic societies always have dictators? Does everyone want some stupid shit like a dictator to rule over america?

Why not complete support for the State of PA selling the property to a private owner or just giving it to the county along with debt decentralization/cancellation? and why is there any support for aggression?

BTW, Ron Paul and W Jones could never support locking a kid up.

 

[02ranger]

He should receive the same punishment as if he did that to a Ronald McDonald statue.

None

Ronald McDonald isn't venerated by anybody though, AFAIK. I agree the punishment is pretty stupid for what he did, even if what he did was distasteful, and he defintely deserves to get flak from the community for it, but no legal punishments.

 

[Bitek]

He should receive the same punishment as if he did that to a Ronald McDonald statue.

None

This 100%. This is only an issue because it's a Jesus statue, and god forbid some kid prank a lump of concrete molded in the form of a deity.


How is this different than drawing pictures of Mohammed?

 

[drebo]

For the same reason it should be a crime if this kid came onto your property and simulated a sex act with the gas cap on your vehicle. 1) Its your property 2) Its your vehicle (or statue in this case) 3) You may have kids who could see it from your window which you may or may not want seeing such a thing 4) Its just stupid behavior.

Disorderly conduct/lewd acts are all crimes, and this should be no different.

If it's about being on my property, then I should have the option of whether or not I want to press charges.

I would not.

 

[DigDog]

a 1972 Pennsylvania statute that criminalizes "defacing, damaging, polluting or otherwise physically mistreating in a way that the actor knows will outrage the sensibilities of persons likely to observe or discover the action."

Not guilty.

I read your update, but it's pointless anyway - there's no way they could enforce the law, since it only applies to actually altering the object.

(Besides, the teenager was not simulating oral sex.
It might look like that to an unhealthy mind; kinda makes the argument of the defense, really.)

 

[bradley]

This incident's basic premise is really stupid and unconstitutional. The Founding Fathers were against creating a religious state founded in religion. Giving any object venerable rights would be imposing religious beliefs upon others.

You also cannot legislate tact or basic common decency. This is about personal property rights and nothing more than a misdemeanor, at best. Jesus.

 

[JEDIYoda]

I hope the ACLU takes the case and gets this law struck down.

Even the ACLU is not that bold..the kid gets what he deserves!!

 

[iGas]

Wow, I didn't know the US is turning into Afghanistan where the Talib/Christian is the law.

 

[nehalem256]

Wow, I didn't know the US is turning into Afghanistan where the Talib/Christian is the law.

What do you think would happen to a kid that violated a Muslim religious icon in Afghanistan?:hmm:

 

[sandorski]

No one seemed to even be aware of this until the kid posted it online. Bringing Charges is the height of pettiness.

 

[pcgeek11]

The law shouldn't exist at all. He committed no crime.

But it does exist. And he did commit a crime.

 

[JEDIYoda]

Ron Paul and W Jones could never support locking a kid up.

Under certain circumstances I am sure that both of them would support locking up a kid!!

 

[master_shake_]

Wouldn't expect anything less from religious zealots.

Jesus was a fictional character . get the fuck over it.

 

[Sonikku]

Life in prison I say. It's time we sent the Liberals a message that their war on Christianity must stop.

 

[norseamd]

This kid should be convicted and punished. Not 2 Years in prison, but he needs to learn some respect.

I think you need some teaching of respect.