This is the second article in a week and a half that I've read about rackspace yanking a site. The other instance was even more ridiculous that this one...
I don't think any other large provider would do any better in this case. You agree to their terms of service and hate speech is forbidden by those terms. If you aren't hosting things which is hate speech (my opinion is that the church's website did include things which in my view fall under hate speech) then this news shouldn't bother you at all.
I know it's all subjective and Rackspace basically can choose to label anything hate speech. My point is that all providers have this liberty, not just Rackspace.
"I know it's all subjective and Rackspace basically can choose to label anything hate speech."
That's a key issue. Applying their AUP consistently whether they personally agree or disagree with the content in question. (Although as a private entity they do have discretion.)
Here's the link: Rely your web startup on Rackspace Cloud? Think again. http://bencheng.net/rely-your-web-startup-on-rackspace-cloud...
I'm actually a current Rackspace Cloud customer, but this type of news makes me reconsider whether I want to be.