http://www.latimes.com/la-050302nike.story “Corporations can be found liable for deceptive advertising if they make misleading public statements about their operations and conduct, the California Supreme Court ruled Thursday.”
The court found that commercial speech—defined as anything “likely to influence consumers in their commercial decisions” (for a long time companies have not been allowed to lie in advertisements)—was not protected by the First Amendment. (The court did not find that Nike had lied, only that it is not allowed to do so—though I don't know would you'd mount a First Amendment defence if the truth would suffice.)
Does this rule apply to religion? Religions are more powerful than the mightiest corporations (and not only economically). How about those marketing campaigns! John 3:16 is: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Is this true? If false, it would surely rank as one of the greatest lies ever told.
(The decision—haven't read this yet.) 11:29