One Minute Briefs (Month 1)
Commonwealth vs. Abner Kneeland – 1838
Here is today's Truth for Patriots, with founder Tom Evans…
In the 1838 case of "Commonwealth vs. Abner Kneeland" in Massachusetts Supreme Court, the defendant had been indicted for "willfully blaspheming the holy name of God," and also for "writing and publishing the libel…"
The court found Kneeland guilty and made the following ruling: "blasphemy… is a willful and malicious attempt to lessen men's reverence of God by denying his existence, or his attributes as an intelligent creator, governor and judge of men…"
Amazing! Imagine our courts ruling like that today!
The court went on to say that "freedom of the press" meant freedom to print true and right things, not blasphemy. They said, "…every act, however injurious, which can be committed by the use of language, may be committed… if printed."
What reverence of God existed in early America! They recognized America as a Union of God & State.
To learn more, visit us at TruthForPatriots.com and "Stand fast in the liberty by which Christ has made us free…"
© T. Evans 2007