Showing posts with label convicted. Show all posts
Showing posts with label convicted. Show all posts

Thursday, March 2, 2017

Street Preachers Convicted of 'Abuse' for Proclaiming the Gospel - CHRISTIAN CONCERN


Two street preachers have been convicted of public order offenses after a public prosecutor claimed that quoting parts of the King James Bible in the context of modern British society "must be considered to be abusive and is a criminal matter". (Courtesy)
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Street Preachers Convicted of 'Abuse' for Proclaiming the Gospel

Two street preachers have been convicted of public order offenses after a public prosecutor claimed that quoting parts of the King James Bible in the context of modern British society "must be considered to be abusive and is a criminal matter".
The prosecutor had argued that free speech must yield to multicultural reality in modern Britain, and that there was a clear threat to violence due to the words of the preachers and the criticism of Islam.
Michael Overd and Michael Stockwell were convicted Feb. 28 at Bristol Magistrates' Court. On Friday (Feb. 25), the court dismissed the case against a third man, Adrian Clark, ruling that there was no case to answer.
During the four-day trial, prosecutor Ian Jackson, claimed:
"To say to someone that Jesus is the only God is not a matter of truth. To the extent that they are saying that the only way to God is through Jesus, that cannot be a truth."
The men were found guilty under Section 31 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, for using "threatening or abusive words or behaviour or disorderly behaviour within the hearing or sight of a person likely to be caused harassment, alarm or distress, thereby, and the offence was religiously aggravated."
Michael Phillips, who represented the street preachers, said:
"This prosecution is nothing more than a modern-day heresy trial—dressed up under the public order act."

Free to Criticize Islam?

Mr. Stockwell had quoted a Bible verse in which Jesus said "I am the way, the truth and the life" (John 14:6) and that he is the only way to heaven.
Mr. Stockwell said:
"If you are trying to come through Catholicism, through Jehovah Witness, through Mormonism, the Bible says you're a thief and a liar, and a thief comes to steal and destroy. But Christ came that we may have life."
He also entered debate with a Muslim gentleman in which both individuals stated opposition to the other's religious beliefs.
Mr. Stockwell said: "Men should be able to proclaim the truth and have diverse differences in the public forum, agreeing to disagree without harm or repercussions. Truth today is the new hate."
He continued: "I am an American, and there is no free speech in England. You criticize Islam; and a group of individuals don't like what you say and threaten violence to silence speech they disapprove of. The police and court shut down the 'free speech' to avoid public disorder. It is a green light to the Islamists and any other radical groups to silence speech. The police should be protecting us."
Mr. Overd said: "You can't have the threat of violence and public disorder to stop us criticising Islam and other lifestyles. Where is our freedom? If you don't like what I said, just move on and let others heard the message, but they want to end the free speech."
The court has awarded legal costs of £2016 against both Mr. Overd and Mr. Stockwell. A Criminal Behavior Order is being pursued against Mr. Overd, with the hearing delayed until May 2017.

'Over the Top'

Mr. Overd and his three friends were preaching in Bristol's Broadmead Shopping Centre last year (July 6, 2016).
They took it in turns to preach, and as they did so, a crowd gathered. At points, the crowd was loud and aggressive, with some swearing and being abusive towards the men. There was also, however, debate between the preachers and members of the crowd, especially on the differences between Islam and Christian belief. Several hecklers appeared to be supportive of Islam.
Police did not arrive on the scene until about an hour into the preaching. A police officer approached Mr. Clark, asking him to turn off his amplification, which he did.
Shortly afterwards a mounted police officer asked Mr. Clark to stop preaching so that she could speak to him. Whilst Mr. Clark spoke with the officer, Mr. Overd took over the preaching.
Soon afterwards, another police officer approached Mr. Overd and told him that he was "causing a disturbance" and "not welcome".
The officer told Mr. Overd that he was going to give him a Dispersal Notice. But instead of doing so, he forcibly removed Mr. Overd from the scene, despite Mr. Overd (who suffers from chronic back pain) crying out in pain.
The officer is later heard asking for advice on whether the men could be charged with offences, saying that Mr. Overd has "gone over the top" and "he's just wound up people".

Public Order Offenses

Mr. Overd and his friends were eventually taken to Patchway Custody Center, Bristol, held for several hours and released on police bail to return for questioning.
They were charged under Section 31 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 for using "threatening or abusive words or behavior or disorderly behavior within the hearing or sight of a person likely to be caused harassment, alarm or distress, thereby, and the offence was religiously aggravated."
The charge against one of the men was subsequently dropped, however.
But the remaining three were additionally charged with offenses under the Public Order Act 1986 and summonsed to appear in court in early 2017.

Freedoms at Stake

Andrea Williams, chief executive of the Christian Legal Center, which is supporting the preachers, says the case raises huge questions about the state of freedom of speech and freedom of religion in this country and will be appealed. People will be shocked that a court now considers the Bible itself to be a form of hate speech, she says.
Andrea Williams said: "The Bible and its teachings are the foundation of our society and provided many of the freedoms and protections we still enjoy today. So it is extraordinary that the prosecution, speaking on behalf of the state, could say that the Bible contains abusive words which, when spoken in public, constitute a criminal offense. Today's ruling, in effect, states that Bible is offensive and contains illegal speech which should not be shared in public. This is a very serious state of affairs, and the men will be considering next steps to challenge this decision.
"'Offense' is a very subjective thing and is easily manipulated to shut down viewpoints that people simply don't like. Any suggestion that there is a right not to be offended must be strongly resisted. In today's democracy, we need the freedom to debate, challenge and disagree.
"Mike Overd and Michael Stockwell were saying nothing that wouldn't be heard at speakers' corner in Hyde Park—presenting the claims of the Bible, answering the crowd's questions and objections and responding calmly to abuse which was hurled at them. For a court to rule that this breaks the law is extraordinary." 
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Thursday, January 16, 2014

“Condemn You?” - Ahava Love Letter (Steve Martin)


“Condemn You?”

“She said, "No one, Lord. And Jesus said to her, "Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more." (John 8:11, NKJV)


Dear family of friends,

In January of 2014 I watched a taped recording of the Larry King NOW show, because his guest was Joel Olsteen. I like Joel. Many times he had encouraged me when I watched his weekly TV program broadcast from Lakewood Church in Houston, TX.

On a few occasions I was able to attend the Sunday morning service personally. After one meeting, when people were invited to meet him, I did. He and his wife Victoria were very nice. As I said, I like Joel.

I didn’t know Joel was going to be on Larry’s show. I didn’t even know Larry had a show anymore, after he no longer did the Larry King Live series. But due to the Charisma magazine e-mail notice I did receive, and the caption with Joel, I checked it out.

The actual headline of the website article proclaimed, “Joel Osteen Discusses Why He Won't Preach Against Homosexuality” (1/15/2014, CHARISMA MAGAZINE). The TV program was actually quite good, and a lot more than what the headline had just stated. Joel gave honest, forth right answers. Did I say I like Joel yet?

If you are as I, many of you work in a “secular” job" - as in “not full time ministry”. (Actually, I did that for 24 years – in full time Christian ministry. I am very grateful for that time serving the Lord in that capacity and atmosphere, for the most part.) On these secular jobs we have now, there may be some who are not totally saved as we would like them to be. Yes, it is true. Many are not as us. It is though, in my daily prayers, that they will know the Savior Lord Jesus, as well as the Father and the Holy Spirit.

When I shared the website link to Larry and Joel’s time talking, on my Love For His People blog, which then, due to modern technology, gets reposted to my two Facebook, four Twitter, Google+, and other social media accounts automatically, the comments began. Some were judgmental, in response to the headlines on homosexuality. (I assumed they didn't take the time to actually watch the show, given the swift judgement.) “Joel is a heathen! Joel is a false teacher and leads many astray!” 2 Timothy was also quoted, about “turning away from the truth”…and so on.

My heart goes out to the ones that Jesus died for. I pray for the opportunity to share His love for them, for likeyou and I, they need the Savior too – to free them from a lifestyle of sin, hurt, and eternity apart from the Lord’s presence. And as He has given me a marketplace job, which happens to be in the midst of some of these who are “not saved”, I am continually asking Him how I can be His light in their world.

At the top of this letter I quoted from John 8:11. The preceding verses are as written, “Now early in the morning He came again into the temple, and all the people came to Him; and He sat down and taught them. Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. And when they had set her in the midst, they said to Him, "Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?"  This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him.

But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear. So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, "He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first."  And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground.

Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last.

And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, "Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?" She said, "No one, Lord." And Jesus said to her, "Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more." (John 8:1-11, NKJV)

I like Joel. I love Jesus. And I love those whom He has set in place amongst me on the job. I need His heart and wisdom even more to express that love to them, so they too can know He does not condemn them, but wants them to know Him also.

I am convinced He will be with me in doing that.

Ahava to my family of friends,

Steve Martin
Founder, Love For His People

P.S. This is my 100th Ahava Love Letter. Thank you Lord!

P.S.S. Here is the Charisma article and Larry King NOW TV show link. 
Click here: Charisma Magazine with Larry King & Joel Olsteen


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Ahava Love Letter #100   “Condemn You?”   Steve Martin 
Date: In the year of our Lord 2014 (01.16.14) Thursday at 6:30 pm in Charlotte, NC).


All previous editions of Ahava Love Letter can be found on this Blog, and our newest website: https://www.www.ahavaloveletters.blogspot.com