Birmingham Preachers Stopped by Police
I used to speak with people about my faith on the streets of Birmingham in the 1970s. I and my friends often found people keen to listen to our message. It sounds like things are not as free now. Two ministers claim police threatened to arrest them for ‘hate crime’ for evangelising in a predominantly Muslim area of Birmingham.
Arthur Cunningham (48) and Joseph Abraham (65) were leafleting in Alum Rock Road and began talking to four Asian youths when they were forced to stop by a police community support officer (PCSO). Mr Cunningham reported, “The the PCSO 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.”
The two evangelists have launched legal action against West Midlands Police for infringing their right to profess their religion. They claim the PCSO warned if they returned to the area they might get beaten up.
See the Christian Institute coverage, and the Telegraph.
This sort of attack on our centuries-old freedom to preach the Christian Gospel should be resisted. Good for them I say, the police should issue and apology.
What strikes me from their photograph, is that they seem such a cheerful pair.
John said:
Shocking arrogance from a PCSO, he obviously had a grudge against Christians but what a misjudgment to make. I hope they get some kind of apology otherwise an unjust precedent might be set and that would be a disaster.
I wonder what has been happening with the Christian Institute’s case against Google? I checked their website but there’s been no news for a while. I guess Google are just too powerful but they’re only really embarrassing themselves with such a bizarre policy.
graham said:
Oh no! One of Christianity’s loony fringes has climbed on this band-waggon see the link (http://theconnexion.net/wp/?p=3724).
Christian Voice are going to do their stuff there.
rok said:
jehova witnesses are never stopped by authorities for targeting chinese students who have absolutely no idea that they are a sect.
I get greeted by chinese speaking witnesses all the time, plus all the chinese magzines they spreak around.
Scientology was not stopped for doing the jazz thing in the middle of York which is supposed to be the centre of Christianity in UK.