Introduction:
Imagine being arrested for simply reading the Bible aloud in public. This was the shocking reality for Seattle pastor, Matthew Meinecke, who found himself under fire for sharing the Word of God in the streets of Seattle during a volatile time. However, in a resounding victory for religious freedom and free speech, Pastor Meinecke’s legal battle culminated in a complete court victory, affirming his right to practice his faith publicly. This case serves as a powerful reminder of the ongoing fight for religious liberty in a world that often seeks to silence voices of faith and in the US, Christianity in particular.
A Shocking Arrest for Bible Reading on June 24, 2022
On the same day the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, Pastor Meinecke set out to downtown Seattle to share the gospel. His intent was not to engage in political debate but to read aloud from the Bible, hoping to offer spiritual solace during a heated moment in history. What started as a peaceful public reading of the Gospel of John quickly spiraled out of control when angry protestors surrounded him, hurled insults, and even tore pages from his Bible. Are we in the last days written about in 2 Peter 3:3 (NIV) which states, “Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires.”?
Things escalated further when members of Antifa, a left-wing anti-fascist and anti-racist political movement in the United States, physically removed Pastor Meinecke, carrying him away from the crowd, and dropping him on concrete a block and a half away according to his lawyer. Despite being physically attacked, Meinecke was determined to continue his peaceful reading. But the final shock came when, instead of arresting the aggressors, the police arrested him, effectively criminalizing his peaceful public act of faith. Isaiah 5:20 warns us, “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” Wouldn’t it be ironic if people had to flee this country because of religious persecution?
Free Speech or Heckler’s Veto?
The arrest was justified under a controversial city policy that granted police the authority to remove a speaker if their words incited a hostile reaction. This policy, often referred to as the “heckler’s veto,” allowed protestors to essentially silence Pastor Meinecke by reacting violently to his presence. This misuse of authority made Pastor Meinecke the problem in the eyes of the police, not the mob harassing and assaulting him. Matthew 5:11-12 states, “Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.”
Even though the First Amendment guarantees the right to free speech and religious expression, the city of Seattle’s policy suppressed those freedoms, leading to Meinecke’s wrongful detention and more than one arrest. Pastor Meinecke was said to have been under the conviction of the Holy Spirit to read the Bible publicly as he did. As far as he was concerned he had every right to peacefully read his bible aloud publicly.
Court Battles and a Landmark Victory
Pastor Meinecke’s legal team wasted no time challenging the city’s actions in court. At first, things looked bleak as a lower court denied Meinecke’s request for immediate relief. However, when the case reached the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, the tide shifted. In a unanimous decision, the panel of 3 judges ruled that Meinecke’s arrest was unconstitutional, striking down Seattle’s policy as a violation of free speech rights. The court held that the “heckler’s veto” could not be used to silence peaceful speakers.
This victory not only cleared Meinecke’s name but also set a precedent, ensuring that religious speech in public spaces cannot be stifled by violent or angry opposition. As secularism and anti-Christian sentiments increase in the US we may see a rise in this type of situation. Was it right for the protestors to physically assault and verbally abuse Pastor Meinecke? Were they any more citizens of this country than he is? Why does it seem like certain individuals, groups, and agendas (causes) have rights, but not others? Why has the reading of the Bible publicly, in a country that is said to have been founded on Christian principles and where people came to be able to practice their religion freely, now become and is treated as a negative and unwanted activity by some? It seems as though it is only when tragedies or natural disasters strike, that some of us remember and will acknowledge that there is a supreme being. Whether we choose to acknowledge Him or not. The Lord Jesus Christ reigns supreme and He will be coming back one day just like the Bible tells us. The choice is ours as to whether we believe that or not.
The Road Ahead: Safeguarding Religious Liberty
While Pastor Meinecke’s case was a success, it highlighted a broader issue—the growing trend of suppressing religious speech in the public square. The court’s ruling was a strong reminder to law enforcement and city officials alike that free speech, especially religious speech, is a fundamental right that cannot be overruled by public discomfort or dissent.
For Pastor Meinecke, this legal victory means he can once again freely share the gospel in the streets of Seattle without fear of arrest – for now. His persistence in the face of adversity is a testament to his unwavering faith and his commitment to the belief that everyone has the right to hear the Word of God. His obedience to the Holy Spirit in the face of persecution, prosecution, and imprisonment is exemplary. In the Bible, Matthew 10:33 states, “But whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven”. More and more people will face discrimination for their religious beliefs in workplaces, by organizations, groups, and individuals in the coming years. The Bible tells us to expect these things. Jesus was clear and direct in Matthew 24:7-9 when He warned his followers about the end times, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains. Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me.”
Conclusion: A Triumph for Faith and Freedom
Pastor Matthew Meinecke’s case stands as a beacon of hope for believers everywhere not just in Seattle, Washington, or the United States of America. His victory in court reaffirms the importance of religious liberty in a society that is increasingly hostile toward Christian beliefs. As Christians, we are called to stand firm in our faith, just as Pastor Meinecke did, trusting that God will fight our battles. His story is a reminder that even when the world seeks to silence us, our voices, rooted in truth, will ultimately prevail. Let us remember the word of the Lord Almighty to Zerubbabel through the prophet Zechariah, “Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit” (Zechariah 4:6-9 New International Version (NIV).