Preacher Arrested for Saying Homosexuality is a Sin

**slap_j** · 05-04-2010, 09:07 AM

Christian preacher arrested for saying homosexuality is a sin - Telegraph

**DaGeek** · 05-04-2010, 09:16 AM

I read that, and, if all that article's allegations are true, that's fairly disturbing.

OiBoyz · 05-04-2010, 09:39 AM

Quote:

He was later interviewed, charged under Sections 5 (1) and (6) of the Public Order Act and released on bail on the condition that he did not preach in public.

Some things never change.

Quote:

Acts 5:40
40 And they took his advice; and after calling the apostles in, they flogged them and ordered them to speak no more in the name of Jesus, and then released them.
NASB

I believe this has already been happening in Canada. I recall hearing of one Pastor who has spent quite a bit of time in jail for what he said from his own pulpit. I don't recall the details.

rock_show_host · 05-04-2010, 10:02 AM

That's awful, and definitely troubling.

ICTHUS · 05-04-2010, 10:39 AM

I doubt these people are getting arrested unless they're being blatantly and hatefully homophobic. There's probably more to that story than is being let on.

I'm not too worried. The guy likely got his just deserts.

tlj009 · 05-04-2010, 10:45 AM

Is there any particular reason that the police have a LGBT liaison officer? Is that a common practice in England?

**tenwatt** · 05-04-2010, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ICTHUS

I doubt these people are getting arrested unless they're being blatantly and hatefully homophobic. There's probably more to that story than is being let on.

I was thinking the same thing. If NOT...it is disturbing.

**nbfan** · 05-04-2010, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ICTHUS

I doubt these people are getting arrested unless they're being blatantly and hatefully homophobic. There's probably more to that story than is being let on.

I'm not too worried. The guy likely got his just deserts.

Since when has the media ever been on the side of evangelicals? Typically when something like this happens the opposite is portrayed. Granted I don't know how the British mass media is compared to ours.

rock_show_host · 05-04-2010, 11:10 AM

I would definitely hope the story is less straightforward than it seems, although I don't know what kind of scenario would have justified an arrest. I'm not familiar with England's laws on free speech, but if Fred Phelps can legally get away with spouting his brand of hateful filth in public, it's hard to imagine what this guy could have said or done to be considered a criminal.

jthomas1600 · 05-04-2010, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ICTHUS

I doubt these people are getting arrested unless they're being blatantly and hatefully homophobic. There's probably more to that story than is being let on.

I'm not too worried. The guy likely got his just deserts.

It seems that speaking out against sin then is blatantly and hatefully homophobic. What makes you say that? Do you think the article is being blatantly dishonest to try and protect the preacher? What makes you say he likely got his just deserts? Do people deserve to go to jail because they disagree with you?

I wonder how many gay/lesbian liaisons the police have. It seems coincidental that there happened to be one handed where the street preacher is. Could it be that some had been in the past offended by the gospel (as the bible tells us they will) and this officer was there with a purpose? Waiting for the preacher to say something that could be offensive? The article says that after the woman left the conversation with the street preacher she "was approached" by the officer. Why did he approach her? To ask her what had been said? I don't know, it's all just a little curious to me.

**Skeeter** · 05-04-2010, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ICTHUS

I doubt these people are getting arrested unless they're being blatantly and hatefully homophobic. There's probably more to that story than is being let on.

I'm not too worried. The guy likely got his just deserts.

That seems to be a bizarre perspective to take. The article is coming from an un-biased source. While it's certainly prudent to see if there's more to the story, it's entirely unfair to assume that the person was being "blatantly and hatefully homophobic" and got his "just desserts," especially when the source material suggests the opposite.

rock_show_host · 05-04-2010, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jthomas1600

I wonder how many gay/lesbian liaisons the police have. It seems coincidental that there happened to be one handed where the street preacher is. Could it be that some had been in the past offended by the gospel (as the bible tells us they will) and this officer was there with a purpose? Waiting for the preacher to say something that could be offensive? The article says that after the woman left the conversation with the street preacher she "was approached" by the officer. Why did he approach her? To ask her what had been said? I don't know, it's all just a little curious to me.

This seemed suspicious to me, too.

tlj009 · 05-04-2010, 11:59 AM

"Harry Hammond, a pensioner, was convicted under Section 5 of the Act in 2002 for holding up a sign saying “Stop immorality. Stop Homosexuality. Stop Lesbianism. Jesus is Lord” while preaching in Bournemouth."

I don't know what will become of this case but I have heard of this Harry Hammond that was mentioned at the bottom of the article. He was actually convicted for holding a sign saying the above. It wasn't about anything he said but it was because he refused to remove the sign. People found it offensive and that fact alone earned him a conviction.

Bryan · 05-04-2010, 11:59 AM

this is why I am glad I live in America. As much as I hate Fred Phelps and believe he will spend the rest of eternity under God's wrath, I still think he should have a right to have his speeches and protests. So long as his speech doesn't become a call to action for violence against those he hates, he should be able to say whatever he wants.

And to the English, this is deplorable. Let speech and thought be free in your country, please.

**slap_j** · 05-04-2010, 12:02 PM

Personally I found it a bit upsetting. I'm even uncomfortable when people talk about banning Westboro Baptist Church from their hateful protests. Maybe that's just my Americanism shining through. I just feel that, barring libel and slander and a few other instances, the very worst speech needs to be protected so that the very best speech is as well. Are there problems with how the church handles homosexuals and homosexuality? There are big problems indeed. But saying it is a sin is not necessarily hateful by any means. It's so cynical to think that everyone who believes that way is really a bigot at heart. I wrestle with cynicism too so I understand how toxic it can be. Really, everything is such a mess. It's quite depressing.

/ramblings