American Christians Face 'Hate Crime' for Preaching Gospel

worldnetdaily.com ^ | June 01, 2008 | staff

[kellynla]

Two American-born pastors handing out gospel leaflets in a predominantly Muslim area of Birmingham, England, were threatened with arrest and warned of being beaten for committing what an officer called a "hate crime."

Arthur Cunningham, 48, and Joseph Abraham, 65, were handing out the leaflets and talking with local youths when they were approached and questioned by a police community support officer, or PCSO.

When the officer discovered the two Birmingham pastors were born in the U.S., he began a heated criticism of President Bush and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Cunningham explained that the gospel message was not linked to American foreign policy, but the officer reportedly became belligerent.

"He said we were in a Muslim area and were not allowed to spread our Christian message," Cunningham told the London Telegraph. "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."

[SolidWood]

When the officer discovered the two Birmingham pastors were born in the U.S., he began a heated criticism of President Bush and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

If sorry unprofessional losers like this become police officers in Britain, it's beyond pathetic.

[Reaganwuzthebest]

Now I know why the Pilgrims came to America.

[sageb1]

And CAIR insists on helping to train American cops to be “sensitive” to Muslims. How long before the same happens here? Perhaps it is already.

[Myrddin]

"He said we were in a Muslim area and were not allowed to spread our Christian message,"

It appears England is no longer a sovereign nation. It has been balkanized into "Muslim areas" and areas not yet co-opted into "Muslim areas". If the Brits don't crack down on this BS shortly, they will totally lose control of their country.

[Las Vegas Ron]

I dunno.....some of the posts I see here sometimes makes me think posting anything here that is pro Christian ore even exibiting ones faith is a hate crime

[lowbridge]

England is no more.

[lowbridge]

bump

[YOUGOTIT]

He was more than likely a Mu&*(^ if he was in a Islamic Area. But, then the whole place is going Islamic as is the EU so not much one can do.

[zerosix]

Yes and obviously athiestic Europe has yet to change. Too bad, they were the bed of Western Civ. of the Reformation even while burning the saints for the “sin” of preaching God’s truth and now arresting the modern day saints for attempt to do the same!

[CaspersGh0sts]

"If sorry unprofessional losers like this become police officers in Britain, it's beyond pathetic."

Well, technically he wasn't a policeman. They at the very least disciplined the guy:

The local police station has since announced that the matter was fully investigated and that the PCSO would be given corrective training, but the incident fuels concerns that there are areas in Britain where the Christian message is increasingly unwelcome.

[fr_freak]

I dunno.....some of the posts I see here sometimes makes me think posting anything here that is pro Christian ore even exibiting ones faith is a hate crime

Well, the essence of free speech is that you would be free to express your faith, and others would be free to say that they think it is BS (and vice-versa). However, I think it is ridiculous for anyone who calls himself an American conservative to bash Christianity, given that Judeo-Christian thought was the basis for the founding of our country. I strongly suspect that promoting American conservatism is not the primary objective of a number of our members.

[Reaganwuzthebest]

Europe is committing suicide. They and the Muslims deserve each other.

[Disambiguator]

Yes and obviously athiestic Europe has yet to change. Too bad, they were the bed of Western Civ. of the Reformation even while burning the saints for the “sin” of preaching God’s truth and now arresting the modern day saints for attempt to do the same!

The places of origin of things are usually the first to go the other way. Look at Massachusetts, the "cradle of Liberty", now a Democrat, liberal fascist stronghold.

[calex59]

Well, the essence of free speech is that you would be free to express your faith, and others would be free to say that they think it is BS (and vice-versa). However, I think it is ridiculous for anyone who calls himself an American conservative to bash Christianity, given that Judeo-Christian thought was the basis for the founding of our country. I strongly suspect that promoting American conservatism is not the primary objective of a number of our members.

The truth of the matter is that many members of FR are communist(democrat)plants. They do not want American ideals to take root among young people and seek to subvert whenever they can, FR being one of the places they try to sow dissension. When you see a FReeper comment that goes against Conservative principles be aware that he/she is probably a liberal in disguise .

[Las Vegas Ron]

“The truth of the matter is that many members of FR are communist(democrat)plants. They do not want American ideals to take root among young people and seek to subvert whenever they can, FR being one of the places they try to sow dissension. When you see a FReeper comment that goes against Conservative principles be aware that he/she is probably a liberal in disguise “

Good point, I’ve thought the same thing many times.

[zerosix]

Exactly. Read “The Road to Serfdom.”

[Jo Nuvark]

[... If the Brits don’t crack down on this,
they will lose control of their country...]

Too late!

[avenir]

“I dunno.....some of the posts I see here sometimes makes me think posting anything here that is pro Christian ore even exibiting ones faith is a hate crime”

I always liked C.S. Lewis’ take on this: “Christianity is that intruder into a conversation that was getting along famously well without it.” Ultimately no one wants to hear too much about Christ, except those who love Him.

[Las Vegas Ron]

Amen, thanks :)