Can a person be physically removed, legally, from a church for publicly challenging leadership?

Question

Say a person is either a member or a visitor to a church and publicly addresses an error in a sermon or points out a member who is in sin or any other VALID point. Could a 'pastor' legally have security/ushers physically remove a person from the premises?
note: In this situation, the person speaking out isn't yelling, screaming or in any other way acting in a threatening manner. They simply put the issue in the open and or respond to a rebuttal.

I was having a conversation and the question was asked, "How could one be true to the Scriptures about public rebuke if churches hid behind laws which enabld them to insulate themselves from it?"

I was having a conversation and the question which was posed went along the lines of, "How can one be true to the Scriptures concerning public rebuke or addressing of sin if churches guard themselves against it by hiding behind laws which make it a crime to do so?" Being in leadership myself, I was perplexed with the question. Having ample time behind a pulpit, I welcome any challenge to what I'm teaching for the sake of truth and integrity. Also, those who are living in sin (fornication, adultery, etc...) are supposed to be publicly addressed and disfellowshipped if necessary. But at the same time it leaves a whole lot of room for anyone who's juyst trying to be disruptive.

Answer 1

Yes, The right to assemble is guaranteed and if you attempt to interrupt an assembly through disruption, you can be legally removed and may even be subject to having criminal charges pressed against you.

edit: Paul gave specific instructions as to how we are to handle these types of situations and none of them include standing up alone in the middle of a church service in an attempt to confront someone in front of the entire church.

Answer 2

There is no law governing who may attend services and under what conditions. Government is not in the church business. In law, the church is considered no different than any other private property. So, ask yourself this. If you were at home and a guest started acting rudely and you were offended by it, wouldn't you feel free to throw that person out of your home? I would. The pastor has essentially the same authority. The ramifications are not legal in nature. Instead, he risks only the alienation of the congregation (or its applause).

Answer 3

I had something like that happen once..
Had a lady ask a tough question in the middle of my message.

I simply tried to answer her question... and told her if she wanted more information see me after services... she seemed happy with that..

That was a first for me.... no pastor should ever feel that a question is a challenge to them.. the only time this should be an issue is if the confronting person is really trying to create a situation. ... in which case I would offer to talk with them later.

Answer 4

Yes. The person would be out of order. But if the person wants to wait until the service is over and then say something to the pastor, that's ok. This doesn't mean that the pastor is going to change his mind and you can't force him too. My advice would be to change churches or don't go to church.

Answer 5

Can a person be physically removed, legally, from a church for publicly challenging god?
A more interesting question from an atheist point of view.

Answer 6

Once asked to leave the person would have to leave or the church would have the right to physically remove them. It doesn't matter if the person was just sitting there minding their business or not. Once asked to leave the person would be trespassing.

Answer 7

The church is still private property. They can deny access to anyone.

Answer 8

Yes. It's called "Disturbing the peace" and "Trespassing." It cuts both ways - you can throw them out of your house for challenging your authority, too.

Answer 9

I think so, since it is private property.

Answer 10

Here in the US, yes, they can.