Giordano: Free Philly Jesus!
By Dom Giordano
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- While not exactly the trial of the century, the trial of "Philly Jesus" this week will be great theater.
In a city where the so called Black Israelites mount a stage and spew hatred in front of the shops at Liberty Place, where the Occupiers disrupted and soiled City Hall, where union members mount giant rats in front of businesses, busting a guy portraying Jesus is an embarrassment.
I've interviewed Philly Jesus and I find him to be a guy who has turned his life around from drug addiction. In the court of talk radio public opinion, I find him guilty of being a character, a piece of local color, maybe even someone who brings people closer to God.
Can you imagine being the Pontius Pilate, I mean judge in this trial? If found guilty of disturbing the peace, maybe Philly Jesus will be sentenced to some community service. Maybe the judge will force him to write 10,000 times "I respect the separation of church and state." Maybe like the tour guides around Independence Hall, he'll be forced to get a Jesus license and pass a Jesus quiz.
I've been monitoring the Twitter feed of Philly Jesus and there are some great pictures with the crowd and being driven in this past week's Thanksgiving parade. I give thanks that so many 1210 listeners have taken to this guy and see good things in his story. The biggest thing many of us have seen is a classic case of redemption. Through his dramatic talent, this recovering addict has found purpose and has spread fun and joy.
So for all the people who have portrayed Santa to bring Christmas to kids, and even those who do good deeds in some superhero costume, this trial is for you.
Free Philly Jesus.
