Cantwell v. Connecticut
United States Supreme Court
310 U.S. 296 (1940)
Relevant factsFree
Jehovah's Witness Cantwell (defendant) played a phonograph record attacking organized religion, particularly the Catholic Church, for two pedestrians who had given him permission to do so on a public street; the pedestrians found the record highly offensive, with one saying he felt like hitting Cantwell, and Cantwell was charged with inciting a breach of the peace.
IssueFree
Whether offensive religious speech is protected under the First Amendment when it does not present a clear and present danger to public peace and order, even though listeners found it deeply offensive.