A police community support officer ordered two Christian preachers to stop handing out gospel leaflets in a predominantly Muslim area of Birmingham.
The evangelists say they were threatened with arrest for committing a "hate crime" and were told they risked being beaten up if they returned. The incident will fuel fears that "no-go areas" for Christians are emerging in British towns and cities, as the Rt Rev Michael Nazir-Ali, the Bishop of Rochester, claimed in The Sunday Telegraph this year.
Arthur Cunningham, 48, and Joseph Abraham, 65, both full-time evangelical ministers, have launched legal action against West Midlands Police, claiming the officer infringed their right to profess their religion.
Mr Abraham said: "I couldn't believe this was happening in Britain. The Bishop of Rochester was criticised by the Church of England recently when he said there were no-go areas in Britain but he was right; there are certainly no-go areas for Christians who want to share the gospel."
Last night, Christian campaigners described the officer's behaviour as "deeply alarming".
The preachers, both ministers in Birmingham, were handing out leaflets on Alum Rock Road in February when they started talking to four Asian youths.
A police community support officer (PCSO) interrupted the conversation and began questioning the ministers about their beliefs.
They said when the officer realised they were American, although both have lived in Britain for many years, he launched a tirade against President Bush and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Mr Cunningham said: "I told him that this had nothing to do with the gospel we were preaching but he became very aggressive.
"He said we were in a Muslim area and were not allowed to spread our Christian message. He said we were committing a hate crime by telling the youths to leave Islam and said that he was going to take us to the police station."
Commenter Her Royal Whyness adds:
Muhammedans can proselytize/advertise on the very same style double tiered bus that was terror bombed by their own devout followers? . . .
it goes on and on and on ad infinitum.. . .
yet Christians are penalized for returning the favor - in a Christian country (where's the Church of England?
Insanity.
12 comments:
Muhammedans can proselytize/advertise on the very same style double tiered bus that was terror bombed by their own devout followers? . . .
Muhammedans can foist halal meals on entire student body? . . .
Muhammadans can openly indoctrinate British Students with Get "Know Islam" Kits
. . .it goes on and on and on ad infinitum.
. . .yet Christians are penalized for returning the favor - in a Christian country (where's the Church of England?
Insanity.
The evangelists say they were threatened with arrest for committing a "hate crime" and were told they risked being beaten up if they returned.
So much for freedom, huh?
In the near future, the Moslem areas will truly be no-go areas.
Unbelievable that this is happening in the country which birthed the Magna Carta!
And consider this: the birth rates for Moslems. The no-go areas will inevitably spread.
Clearly, Moslems are colonizing the UK.
And NOW what are they prepared to do?
The first words of the Magna Carta are
"In the first place we have granted to God ..."
I guess, somehow, that document isn't worth dying for.
We live in interesting times, boys. I say they should be prepared to violate such a stupid law, which is being enforced, not by a copper, but by a community service outreach bureaucrat who is more than likely a muslim.
Sra. Scherzophrenic,
You mean, he's more likely an "Asian."
THAT's what I should have meant to say, Jaco!
The nameless and powerless will continute to be intimidated and nothing will change until until someone of note gets arrested, beaten up or worse. I would like to see the Bishop of Rochester front up and go and distribute leaflets. Until this happens, it will get worse. The people no longer matter to NuLabour, only votes.
This kind of incident is exactly the kind of situation that informs my frustration with the British state. How are non Muslims going to react to this? How are White Non Muslims going to react to this? Who are they going to vote for? The state seems to be more fearful of an Islamic backlash whilst completely disregarding the frustrations of the MAJORITY non Muslim population. The fact that Christians are not allowed to evangelise when I can testify at the constant attempts to convert me to the religion of 'peace' is a complete double standard! Non of this is new or a surprise to me....yet still it disgusted me. America, Canada I hope you are all paying attention. Please observe how NOT to tackle the Muslim problem. Pastorius, Epa, remember I have mentioned Asian/Islamic nepotism..? This I feel is a prime example of the consequences of such employment practices. 'This is a Muslim area...'...?...'...We use 'Their' laws against them'...An end has to come and dark clouds are gathering and we have no second amendment rights. Uk Government, a prime example of how not to Govern a country. Those are two VERY brave men and I hope that providence and God protects them in their work....as British law sure as hell won't...infact the law seems more interested in criminalising those who are lawfully doing what Muslims do every day....is any one listening....? ....Oh I think I may now be classified as a threat to the state by MI5 for those 'Hateful' comments.
Decatur,
One thing we have to credit the Muslims with is they respect power. If the Bishop of Rochester were to distribute leaflets, they would not make an attempt to arrest him. They would, instead, use it as an occasion for media taqiyya and talk of Islamophobia.
The Bishop of Rochester would not be attacked until the day they bury him up to his neck and stone him to death.
I would love to give an ultimatum to all these enrichers.
"If you don't want to obey our laws then get out now. Because if you break our laws you will be interned in a re-education facility with compulsory hard labour until we can find a country that will accept you for deportation. If we can't find a country that will accept you, then you will have compulsory hard labour for life."
If any member states of the UN complain that this is unduly harsh, then they can be immediately supplied with their choice of our surplus enrichers free of charge with transport costs paid. I'm sure they'll be queueing up.
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