This is the type of behavior that is increasing around the country and I'll be happy to share others incidents if they provide reputable reference and I can get permission to reprint any news item or link
The following is from the Jewish Herald Voice, and I have
previously been given permission to quote articles for this purpose if I
reference the author and source..
By MICHAEL C. DUKE
Missionary leader Jim Pratt stands in front of signs he
posted on a public footbridge outside the JCC. Depending on his audience, Pratt
refers to himself as “rabbi” or “messianic rabbi.”
On June 28, a group of Christian missionaries, posing as
“Jews,” violated city and state ordinances by attaching signs to the footbridge
that spans Brays Bayou, facing S. Braeswood Blvd., directly across the street
from the Jewish Community Center of Houston.
These signs bore messages that encourage Jews to accept
Jesus as “lord” and “savior.”
Houston City Code (Sec. 28-38) prohibits posting
unauthorized signs on curbs, sidewalks, streets, public spaces or public
property (Code 1968, § 3-2; Ord. No. 70-1747, § 1, 10-6-70). Similarly, State
of Texas Transportation Code (Section 393.002) prohibits the posting of signs
on the right of way of a public road. Maximum fines for violating both
ordinances are $500 per sign, per violation.
Upon seeing the signs attached to the bridge, neighborhood
resident, Ira Bleiweiss, informed the missionaries that their signs were
violating city law. Bleiweiss is founder of Bridge Houston, a rapidly growing
grass-roots Israel advocacy group that also is dedicated to promoting healthy
Jewish-Christian relations.
The missionaries replied to Bleiweiss’ approach, saying that
the law did not apply to them, Bleiweiss said. He then notified the Precinct 5
Constable office.
A constable responded to the call, but was told by the
missionaries that they had a permit for the signs. After Bleiweiss determined
that the missionaries did not have a permit, as claimed, he called Houston
police. Before the HPD officers arrived, the missionaries removed their signs
from the railing, but not before Bleiweiss took photos with his digital camera.
Bleiweiss met the officers, showing them photos and copies
of the no-sign-posting laws. He also presented a letter from the city
attorney’s office, indicating that the municipal ordinance will be enforced.
The officers were professional and even-handed, Bleiweiss noted. They issued the
missionaries a one-time warning.
“This messianic group doesn’t respect the commandment: ‘Thou
shall not bear false witness,’” Bleiweiss observed. “Nor do they respect
commandment 28-38 of the Houston city code: ‘Thou shall not post signs on
public property.’ ”
The missionary group behind the signs is Beth Yeshua
HaMashiach. Founded and supported by the Southern Baptist Convention, the
church self-identifies as a “messianic synagogue.”
Nearly every Sunday for the past several years, Beth Yeshua
has sent missionaries to proselytize Jews outside the JCC. These missionaries
masquerade as “Jews” by wearing kippot and giving Hebrew names to Christian
concepts. They argue that Judaism is an inferior religion, made complete only
by acceptance of “Yeshua” (a Hebrew name they give to Jesus).
In the past, the missionaries had attached a large banner to
trees facing the JCC, and placed missionary materials in a neighborhood
mailbox, in at least one confirmed case. The JH-V reported in April that both
tactics appeared to violate laws. Since that report, the mailbox fliers
stopped, and the missionaries began holding their signs. June 28 was the first
time the signs were seen attached to the footbridge.
Bleiweiss said he and several neighborhood residents
repeatedly have asked the missionaries not to proselytize Jews outside the JCC.
“How would Christians feel if Muslims were standing outside the local YMCA,
telling them that their Christianity can only be completed by accepting
Muhammad?” he asked.
“These messianics outside the JCC continue to show a
complete disrespect, not only for interfaith, Jewish-Christian relations, but
also a disregard for the law,” Bleiweiss said.
The missionaries have defended their operations by claiming
freedom of speech. When challenged by Bridge Houston members on issues of
credibility, respect and legality, the group’s leader has responded by speaking
in tongues.
Bridge Houston recommends that people call the police if
they see the missionaries violating laws.
Copyright © 2009 Jewish Herald-Voice. All rights reserved.
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