In October, three well-known pastors in Arizona sued a married couple and an independent journalist who were criticizing and accusing the church of misconduct.
Leaders at Apologia Church in Mesa said the couple and journalist “defamed” them and portrayed them so negatively that they were suffering damages.
The pastors, Jeff Durbin, Luke Pierson and Zachary Morgan, asked a Maricopa County Superior Court judge to force the couple and journalists to compensate them for the harm done and ban them from talking about the pastors, the church or the lawsuit — not just if the pastors’ attorney proved defamation, but immediately while the court case played out.
Why the Apologia Church defamation lawsuit matters
Unless a settlement is reached, the suit could help clarify when criticism goes too far and loses First Amendment free speech protections…