Michael Overd and Michael Stockwell, two British street preachers, have been convicted of a public order offence after quoting parts of the King James Bible. The prosecutor claimed that quoting the KJV should “be considered to be abusive and is a criminal matter.”
“Although the words preached are included in a version of the Bible in 1611,” said prosecutor Ian Jackson, “this does not mean that they are incapable of amounting to a public order offence in 2016.” During the four-day trial, Mr. Jackson also said, “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 two were found guilty under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 at Bristol Magistrates’ Court. A case against a third man was dismissed.
The case raised concerns about the state of freedom of speech and freedom of religion in the UK. At least the Bristol court considers the Bible itself to be a form of hate speech.
Christian Legal Centre solicitor Michael Phillips who represents the two men, told the court, “this prosecution is nothing more than a modern-day heresy trial – dressed up under the Public Order Act.”
“Every negative remark about other religions and ways of life are taken straight from those texts,” he said. “The preachers do not use inflammatory language, but simply the language of the Bible. If it is the case that the crown seeks to ban biblical scripture, that would be a bold move.”
He went on to argue that “free speech is foundational to the functioning of society – just as much as freedom of the press and democracy – and it must be protected at all costs.”
“We need to stand against the movement which says it’s only ok to say things that don’t offend others. That might be nice for people in the short term, but it is not beneficial in the long term,” he explained.
Mr. Overd, Mr. Stockwell and two friends were preaching in Bristol’s Broadmead Shopping Centre, in July last year. The court found Mr. Overd and Mr. Stockwell 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.”
The magistrates ordered the two preachers to pay £2,016 each, in fines and costs. The Crown Prosecution Service is pursuing a Criminal Behaviour Order against Mr. Overd.
Mr. Overd and Mr. Stockwell are appealing the conviction.
“Our motivation for public preaching is love.” Mr. Stockwell said. “We want people to have access to the good news about Jesus Christ. I am shocked that God’s message of love is now considered hateful and dangerous.”
Freedom of speech in the UK is under assault. It was only a matter of time considering the lengths to which the British government has gone in order to accommodate some religious minorities.
“Today, speaking God’s truth seems to be a hate crime, according to some,” said Stockwell in response to the verdict. There is a very disturbing pattern here. We declare Jesus’ message and critique rival beliefs such as Islam. Some people don’t like what we say, and threaten violence to silence us. Then, instead of defending free speech and protecting us, the police shut down free speech to avoid public disorder. And then a court convicts us of provoking disorder and risking violence!
“This gives a green light to Islamists and other groups to silence speech that they don’t like,” added Mr. Stockwell, “simply by threatening disorder or violence.”
“The Bible and its teachings are the foundation of our society and provided many of the freedoms and protections that we still enjoy today,” said Andrea Williams, chief executive of the Christian Legal Centre. 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 offence.”
“Today’s ruling, in effect, states that Bible is offensive and contains illegal speech which should not be shared in public,” Williams continued. “‘Offence’ 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… For a court to rule that this breaks the law is extraordinary.”
The loss of free speech leads to the loss of freedom of religion, a very important legal tradition in the UK. The Bible declares that religious freedoms will be removed and this is how it is done. Every principle of freedom enshrined in the constitutions of formerly Protestant nations will be repudiated. See Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 5, and page 451.
Comments
Brad Sexson
Tuesday March 7th, 2017 at 01:08 PMas it is written let it be done
steve
Tuesday March 7th, 2017 at 07:02 PMDepends where it is said obviously. Speak it in only when alone where none can see or hear. but not as a public display. Read Matthew if you want to know how to pray. What these two tried to do isn’t what Christ would have done.
admin
Tuesday March 7th, 2017 at 07:08 PMPerhaps not, but the issue is that the government is not the one to determine whether what one does is what Jesus would or would not have done.
Oluwayemisi Okunoren
Thursday March 9th, 2017 at 04:51 AMThis is a big shame that in the UK where the teaching of Jesus was brought to us….Nigerians, this is happening I think the UK govt should step in before it degenerates further it can never happen in the Islamic nation you either do as they say or …..shame
Thaddeus
Wednesday March 8th, 2017 at 11:18 AMI also don’t agree with how they used Scripture. That said Jesus frequently preached in public and publicly challenged the religious authorities of his time. The Apostles preached publicly. The truth of God and salvation through Christ must be preached to those who have not found salvation in Christ. This will get worse. We are about to enter another dark age.
Junior
Thursday March 9th, 2017 at 03:44 PMPraying and speaking are two different things Jesus spoke publicly for a crowd followed everywhere he went
Francisca
Saturday March 11th, 2017 at 04:06 PMPlease don’t display your ignorance in public platform. Is praying the same as preaching? Do you read the bible at all. Do you condemn others of something you are ignorant of. Jesus died for your sins because of the love He has for you.
Kevin McCoy
Saturday September 9th, 2017 at 02:14 AMThe two men wasn’t PRAYING but PREACHING GOD’S WORD!
Calvin phipps
Tuesday March 7th, 2017 at 10:41 PMI’m thankful for this information, it is so relevent
Monty Rackley
Tuesday March 7th, 2017 at 10:44 PMWow, get ready United States your next, Canada has already passed similar laws. Truely we must work in the day, the night is coming when no man can work. Get ready Sabbath keepers!
Thomas kelly
Wednesday March 8th, 2017 at 12:34 PMBrothers and sisters do not fear Jesus told us long ago this will happen. Matthew 24:9 It is written Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake. Jesus taught us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. My beloved while being prison sing and rejoice to the Lord for His Holy Spirit will give strength, God bless.
Etienne Erasmus
Sunday March 12th, 2017 at 05:09 AMAMEN.
Hanns
Sunday March 12th, 2017 at 10:26 AMNo my friend. Legislation is already on the South African parliament table to implement the same law here. I think we are next in line!
Danito
Wednesday March 8th, 2017 at 04:08 PMI deduce so many informations from all your piece you send….very relevant indeed
Andrea
Wednesday March 8th, 2017 at 07:43 PMMy oh my troublesome times are definitely here. We as Christians my stick to what we believe ás we know the word of God.
This is showing us Jesus is very near so people get ready JESUS IS COMING SOONER THAN WE THINK!
A
Saturday March 11th, 2017 at 06:34 PMYes Andrea
I think so too
The trumpets have been sounded already by the angels the signs are there
Veronica Verna Sterling-Magloire
Thursday March 9th, 2017 at 02:03 AMThere is only one God for all He is not divided into different nations.He is the only creator that gives life to all mankind. Let us continue to work the work He as ordained us to do preach the good news to all
EnYi Khang
Saturday March 11th, 2017 at 10:57 AMAmen!
Michael
Sunday March 12th, 2017 at 12:16 PMThank you so much for your word of wisdom Amen
BEn
Thursday March 9th, 2017 at 05:55 AMThis Country is a Christian nation why are we changing d goal post. May d Lord God have mercy
Charity
Thursday March 9th, 2017 at 05:59 AMIf Christ’s words are to be preached in the bedrooms and sitting rooms where no one else can hear then there will be no need to obey the commandment which says “Go ye into the world and preach the gospel”. The anti christ will soon be revealed. Let all Christians watch and pray. Here in Nigeria there are places where you preach the word of God and you get killed immediately without anybody doing anything but the other religion would wake you up very early in the morning where you are with their loud speakers while performing and preaching their religion and it is allowed. The world is turning against Christ the Saviour. Let this sign teach you a lesson if you are a believer.
Michael Petek
Thursday March 9th, 2017 at 07:07 AMActually, the only words spoken by either of the convicted defendants which were abusive are these, spoken by Stockwell:
“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.”
These words are directly defamatory of persons, and blasphemous by reason of the engagement of the Divine Name which makes the Scriptures holy. But the second limb of the prosecution is not made out in regard to them, so Stockwell is entitled to an acquittal. He’s on his way to hell, but he’s still entitled to an acquittal.
Ephraim
Thursday March 9th, 2017 at 07:41 AMWho do you think helped the Roman Catholic Church of the dark ages to persecute bible believing folks? The State. I can’t agree more that dark ages are coming back and very soon. Those who truly believe the Word of God will be persecuted by both the State and the so called church. Let’s gird our loins, troubleous times are here….God help us!
Paul
Thursday March 9th, 2017 at 09:00 AMJesus did preach to multitude of people.These men didn’t preach hatred or anything against the government.I don’t understand the crime they committed.
TINA
Thursday March 9th, 2017 at 09:30 AMTHE DAY OF THE LORD COMETH AND IT IS NIGH AT HAND. MATTHEW 24 TELLS US MANY OF US AS BELIEVERS WILL BE THROWN INTO PRISON FOR PREACHING THE WORD OF GOD. CHRISTIANS KEEP THE FAITH. THIS IS WHY CHRISTIANS NEEDS TO COME TOGETHER NO MATTER WHAT DENOMINATION YOU ARE FROM.
Mutenyowalukoye@gmail.com
Thursday March 9th, 2017 at 10:11 AMMissionaries came with the message of the Lord Jesus Christ to Africa from Europe and taught Africans that Jesus is the only way to salvation and now it seems like the message of the Lord Jesus Christ has changed and soon African Christians will be told from Europe that there are many ways to get saved and not through Jesus only.
Well,the bible is clear that this persecutions were there,has been there,is here and is coming. Let’s pray for our brothers.
Rev Gloria M Boroff
Friday March 10th, 2017 at 12:35 AMJESUS CHRIST IS COMING SOONER THAN YOU THINK GET RIGHT WITH GOD OR GET LEFT BEHIND DON’T MISS HIM FOR THE WORLD STAY AWAY FROM FALSE DOCTRINES TEACH THE LOST THE TRUTH
JESUS CHRIST AND HIM CRUCIFIED
STICK WITH THE TRUTH ANYTHING ELSE FALSE DOCTRINE KNOW THIS
THE LORD JESUS CHRIST IS COMING SOONER THAN YOU THINK GET RIGHT WITH GOD OR GET LEFT BEHIND…..R U RAPTURE READY?
WE R
Rev Gloria M Boroff
Portland Oregon USA BLESSINGS TO YOU 2DAY
Clem
Friday March 10th, 2017 at 03:02 AMTime is so short why acct surprised this of course is the last days so Bible states we will be persecuted for his name sake
Just warming up remember its the Crown that has brought the case who is the head of the Crown the defender of the faith in the UK?
The USA says in God we trust.
O
Friday March 10th, 2017 at 03:12 AMEvil has taken hold in the land, and now just like in the days of herod the law is being used as a weapon against Christians.
No matter, Jesus is coming back to earth and will soon be hear and all devil’s demons and workers of iniquity, sinners backbiters and those who do lawlessness according to the Word of God, will be in danger of the Judgement of hell from he who sits uppon the throne and lives forevermore.
The saint however will raise and rejoice at the coming of the King and in the supper of the Lamb singing Hallelujah praising God.
Mapengo
Friday March 10th, 2017 at 09:11 AMChristians should preach about Jesus more in public thats where the gospel is needed more. Taking preachers to court will not stop us from sharing the truth. There is no other way to God other than through Jesus. Christianity is not about telling people what they want to hear but the truth. No matter what the church is marching on. This gospel shall be preached in all the earth. We will not compromise the truth.
Janice Breeze
Friday March 10th, 2017 at 04:39 PMwhat happened to free speech and religious liberty? this is exactly what happened to Jesus and will happen to more Christians the nearer we get to the 2nd coming
MJ
Friday March 10th, 2017 at 07:19 PMA few years ago I attended an Adventist Revelation Seminar where the guest Pastor (also Adventist) would NOT mention the words, Catholic or Pope.
After the meeting he told me in private we (Adventist) could be “sued” for hate speech so he was forbidden. So this prohibition of “Bible Truth” is already here in the States.
Recently some Pastors in Texas and Georgia, were required to submit their sermons – all of them to be reviewed by local government officials. So this abandonment of our 1st Amendment is already here but will get much worse.
Etienne Erasmus
Sunday March 12th, 2017 at 05:12 AMWe will pray for these two Brothers and implore everyone else to join us in our prayers for them, please.
Ian Thompson
Sunday March 12th, 2017 at 01:56 PMPsa 2:1 — Psa 2:11 (NKJV)
PSALM 2
The Messiah’s Triumph and Kingdom
21 Why do the nations rage,
And the people plot a vain thing?
2 The kings of the earth set themselves,
And the rulers take counsel together,
Against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying,
3 “Let us break Their bonds in pieces
And cast away Their cords from us.”
4 He who sits in the heavens shall laugh;
The Lord shall hold them in derision.
5 Then He shall speak to them in His wrath,
And distress them in His deep displeasure:
6 “Yet I have set My King
On My holy hill of Zion.”
7 “I will declare the decree:
The Lord has said to Me,
‘You are My Son,
Today I have begotten You.
8 Ask of Me, and I will give You
The nations for Your inheritance,
And the ends of the earth for Your possession.
9 You shall break them with a rod of iron;
You shall dash them to pieces like a potter’s vessel.’ ”
10 Now therefore, be wise, O kings;
Be instructed, you judges of the earth.
11 Serve the Lord with fear,
And rejoice with trembling.
Joyce
Thursday March 16th, 2017 at 05:31 AMAmen
Y06HCR
Sunday March 12th, 2017 at 06:06 PMWhat ”parts of the King James Bible” exactly were quoted? Thank yoy very much in advance for your answer.
Paul Lee
Monday March 13th, 2017 at 04:54 AMNo copyright Infringement intended
Troublesome times are here, filling men’s hearts with fear
Freedom we all hold dear now is at stake
Humbling your hearts to God saves from the chastening rod
Seek the way pilgrims trod, Christians awake
Jesus is coming soon, morning or night or noon
Many will meet their doom, trumpets will sound
All of the dead shall rise, righteous meet in the skies
Going where no one dies, heavenward bound
Ygb
Tuesday March 14th, 2017 at 11:02 AMJesus is coming soon be prepare for greater things to be said and do about the word of God That mean we are not free to preach the word of God Every one have to hear the word of God before he return so these people defiantly done want him to return to take us from this sinful world The are also vomiting sin against the holy spirit
Jagbwoy
Friday March 17th, 2017 at 12:03 PMDon’t forget that Jesus preached in the say way to men and it was not received by the authorities, and public council. This is not unexpected , we all know the truth , this should be no surprise to us as all. Look at what Pontuis Pilatehad said before crucifying Jesus, John chapter 18v37 who art thou? , Jesusreplied , for this cause came I into the the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth.Everyone that is of the truth heareth my voice. The word of God is like a 2 edged sword. No surprise? We all need to be doing this. I commend these men for standing thier ground. Blessed. Anthony P
christforall.includingme@gmail.com
Saturday March 18th, 2017 at 03:18 AMChrist said, ” You shall know the truth & the truth shall set you free…if The Son of man (Jesus Christ) sets you free, you are free indeed ” John 8: 32 & 33. ” lf the world hate you, you know it hates me before it hates you” Need more be said, yet l will add, this short statement, anyone & everyone made free by Christ will be the freest person walking the face of the earth. Who can stop the person, filled with the courage of their conviction & no Christ so personally, that they find it very difficult to keep their faithful & loving experience with Christ to themselves. Filled & moved by His enabling & empowering Spirit, who can stop anyone that longs to share Christ with others, no one, no institution, no law, nothing on earth, only death itself can stop such Christ driven witness from spreading like wild fire, yes every opposition to the work of Christ through those willing to cooperate with Him, will only be like fuel to fire, Christ our Righteousness is to spread, here, there & everywhere, yes, there is no place where people may be found that the gospel of Christ will not be heard, seen, proclaimed or felt.
christforall.includingme@gmail.com
Saturday March 18th, 2017 at 04:22 AMFreedom of speech has been protected by a democratic society, well to a degree, as long as what has been expressed does not inflict personal hurt or hatred upon others. According to the spirit of democracy, we should be free to express the courage of our convictions as well as free to disagree. We are all entitled to disagree, but let us never be disagreeable, by using forceful means to keep the peace as it were with society in general. If we forget why democracy was sent up in the first place, we think we have democracy, but only have the illusion of democracy, becoming more friendly with an undemocratic society.
The gentle approach will be used at first by legal means through prosecution under law, where many see freedom as the right to do as we please within the law of the land. But if prosecution does not get the desired effect, then we will not be far from wild animals who hunt other animals for food. Have we forgotten our history, history has a tendency to repeat itself. There are a few historic documents in the public domain & in history publications that records the very sad history, when persecution replaces prosecution, woe to humanity when such a time comes up again, when those who believe that it freedom to do what is right in their own eyes, within the law of the land, will no longer tolerate those who know the freedom that comes within the law of God, even the Ten commandments.
This day is not far from us, it may be a few years yet, but come it will come. All will be tested, all will need to make up their minds, is God for me or against me.
Those who comply with the Law of God, keep a law that is infinitely greater & better, than all human laws out together. If God’s law, was in the heart of half the people in this country, rising crime would greatly drop, the health of our nation would greatly increase, prison houses will become desolate & many will be turned into places of help & healing, the tax gap will greatly drop & many who now try to cheat out of their taxes, be one in position of influence or not, will be honest, paying their taxes on time, the jobless & homeless will greatly decrease & we will be closer to full employment & see where zero homelessness is highly possible. We shall be the envy of the world, we shall be second to none, that on earth, there will be found no equal. The ” have’s” will increase opportunity for the, ” have not’s ” where the majority less well off will never covet the wealth of the rich & our youth will be first, without equal upon the face of the earth, more than a higher education they will receive, a far wider education they shall have, than many do upon the face of the earth, marriage shall increase while divorce will meet great decline, neighbours will know each other better, treating one another like a very close friend, as if they are family, debt will greatly decrease & this country will become the bank of the world, with the cheapest rates on earth, second to none.
Last but by no means least, there will be a peace in the land, anywhere else, can never be found an equal & we will spend less & less on weapons for self defence, spending more money to increase the health of our nation, than to spend money to defend ourselves with weapons of was or to be used by others to take the life of a single human being.
The are the words of the person God made wiser than any in his day, ” Righteousness lifts a nation, but lawlessness in regards to God’s Law is a stumbling block to the individual, the community & the nation as a whole ”
If we oppress the none oppressor, because they do not agree with our way of thinking, we become a danger to ourselves more than the person by legal means we are trying to control. It is by showing kindness, to others who mean us well, we reveal the kindness that can only come from within.
Ushieonyia
Saturday April 1st, 2017 at 06:28 AMIt’s a big shame on Britain by the they realised there mistaken it would be too late,
STEVE CHI
Wednesday May 31st, 2017 at 08:47 PMBe wise as serpents and be harmless as doves.Seek you first the kingdom of God and everything will be added to you Fear not him who kill the body but fear Him who can kill the body and the soul. PLEASE READ THE GREAT CONTROVERSY THAT YOUR SPIRITUAL EYES MIGHT BE OPENED TO WHAT HAS TRANSPIRED, IS TRANSPIRING AND WHAT WILL TRANSPIRE IN THIS WICKED OF OURS.
STEVE CHI
Wednesday May 31st, 2017 at 09:21 PMTHE LAST SIGN MUST BE FULFILLED AND IS FULFILLING THAT IS ” AND THIS GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM SHALL BE PREACHED IN ALL THE WORLD FOR A WITNESS TO ALL NATIONS AND THEN SHALL THE END COME,” SAID JESUS. THEN THE WORLD WILL SEE JESUS COMING IN THE CLOUDS OF GLORY WITH ALL THE ANGELS OF HEAVEN AND WITH THE GLORY OF GOD, AND THE RIGHTEOUS DEAD WILL BE RAISED BY GOD AS IMMORTALS READY FOR HEAVEN. LIKE PAUL SAID THAT THIS BODY OF CORRUPTION MUST PUT ON INCORRUPTION.AND THIS MORTAL BODY MUST PUT ON IMMORTALITY. JESUS WILL GIVE US BODIES SIMILAR TO HIS.SO THAT WE CAN SAIL THROUGH SPACE LIKE HE DID. WITH THESE NEW INVENTIONS IT WON’T BE LONG NOW WE SHALL BEHOLD HIM WITH OUR OWN EYES. WE NEED TO SPREAD THE GOOD NEWS THE BEST WAYS WE CAN BY DONATIONS TO THE GOSPEL MINISTRIES, HAND OUT THE TRUTH FILLED LITERATURES, THE DVDS ETC.
STEVE CHI
Wednesday May 31st, 2017 at 09:24 PMTRUTH WILL TRIUMPH, JESUS SAID I AM THE WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE HE WHO BELIEVES IN ME WILL LIVE AND WILL NOT DIE.
STEVE CHI
Wednesday May 31st, 2017 at 09:28 PMIT WILL HAPPEN IN THE OLD USA WHEN OUR CONSTITUTION IS DONE AWAY WITH.
Joseph
Thursday April 19th, 2018 at 02:49 PMHow is heresy defined?