Oregon: Abuse of venerated objects is a misdemeanor which occurs when someone "abuses a public monument or structure, a place of worship or the national or state flag," where "abuse" means "deface, damage, defile or otherwise physically mistreat in a manner likely to outrage public sensibilities."
Penalty: none specified.
Source: 166.075
Analysis:
Oregon's law on "abuse of venerated objects" is limited to those actions which like to "outrage public sensibilities." This means that if the public doesn't care about what you are abusing, then it's not a crime. Defiling a church would outrage the large population of Christians, but defiling Satanist gathering place might garner you lots of support. This tells us that Oregon is ultimately trying to protect not the objects listed, but rather the feelings of Oregon's citizens.
More:
- Overview of State Laws on Flag Abuse, Burning, Desecration
- Index of State Laws on Flag Abuse, Burning, Desecration
