Evangelical Preacher on Trial After Branding Islam 'Satanic'

As this happened in the jurisdiction of the United Kingdom, Great Britain, there are a few things to be stated:
In Great Britain, there are limits on what can and can not be said in a public setting. The freedom of speech is not what one would find in the USA. Any speech that insults, or could lead to violence, or is considered hate speech, could be prosecuted by the authorities. And online activity is heavily monitored and questionable content looked at.

That being stated, the issue here is not that the evangelical stated such from the pulpit, but he also aired it via the internet. In short, that is why he is in trouble. If he did not air this or put it out where anyone could hear, chances are he would not have been arrested and taken into custody.

Calling Islam Satanic is a compliment. Nothing more than a different version of some sandpeople bulls**t ! All religions are nonsense including Christianity. It amazes me that religious people can even think outside the box enough to even show up on ATS.

a reply to: beansidhe

Well, I can see that perspective. However, from mine, he still has a right to think that way, and to say so from his pulpit. If those attending his church don't like it, they can make a change. I grew up Baptist, and still prefer that worship style, but there are differences between Baptist churches. Since there isn't really any hierarchy, you can see a lot of variation. In some cases, what the Bible actually says isn't what is believed. Some, one of my grandmothers included, don't think anyone should drink, ever. That isn't Biblical, but it's a fairly common mindset for a lot of Baptists. Dearly loved that lady, but she had that wrong. In the case you list, Sunday work, it's similar. So, different settings, but similar mentalities. I am even somewhat "old school" myself, and much of that drives me nuts. Still, if someone sees something as evil, and that person has a Biblical mindset, stating that the thing is Satanic isn't really a stretch. Sometimes such claims are wrong, and sometimes they are right.

In the case of Muslims, if one looks at the violence and other problems that follow increases in Muslim population, it's hard to not see the guy's point. All beliefs aside, when violence follows a group, there is more than likely a connection to said group. I have listed this before, but will again -

As Muslim population grows, what can happen to a society?

The data there is chilling.

I do know there are many who don't subscribe to that sort of thing; the hubby worked with a few while deployed. Those that do, though, are like a disease, that affects the entire body, and those around them.

I don't care for anyone fostering hate, myself, no matter why. There can be a very thin line between sensible warnings and hate, too.

Happy New Year to you as well. I will second the wish for peace from all the terrorist nutjobs, but I wont hold my breath! Been a great discussion, too, even tough we don't always agree. Nice seeing that!

originally posted by: awareness10
a reply to: LadyGreenEyes

That's an interesting link, it really shows how aggressive belief systems can be used to sway an entire population can't it? People in power love experimenting on the human race, to see how people react, to see how a cashless society would fare, facebook... No one is learning from the past, and doomed society will be if they continue to bend over and obey stupidity.

It is, indeed, and people rarely learn. Common sense simply isn't, sadly. Those in power are very good at what they do, for certain! All the same game, though.

a reply to: LadyGreenEyes

WHAT MORONS.
In terms of faith heathen is an accurate word.
It's HARDLY polite to mention it,however and unless someone is a throw back to the middle ages...or a skin head, the whole idea is to UNITE and take them as they are,if they don't reciprocate then we are told by their actions shall you know them.
The same is true for Christianity.

Don't you just love the way officialdom ducks behind the slogan; "those who carry out these acts are not true Muslims"? Yada, yada, yada... Britain's PM is at the forefront of this state of denial and the BBC won't even refer to the perpetrators as Muslims or Islamists. As I recollect, mainstream Germans were not allowed to disassociate themselves from the activities of the Nazis and their atrocities, but then, the EU has become such a ludicrous ensemble of hand-wringers that the mound of sand into which they're sticking their collective heads has taken on epic proportions.

Sadly, those who ignore the mistakes of the past are verily destined to repeat them. Ignoring the rise of the Third Reich had incalculable consequences and so will ignoring this new threat. Moreover, this threat comes from an ill defined and pretty much unassailable (and asymmetrically fought) quarter which makes combating it by (almost) any means imperative before we all find ourselves wearing orange jump-suits and getting immolated, beheaded etc, etc.

As long as our leaders lack the will to succeed (so very present in the Caliphate, wherever and whatever that may be) we will see the spring of inevitable repercussion ever tightening. In the meantime, the powers that be will carry on stifling any, I mean ANY discussion (let alone objection to), be it well reasoned or crudely articulated, of peoples' concerns and/or objections regarding our permissiveness vis a vis "questionable" Muslim activities.

Hi all,

I saw this a couple of days ago, but my keyboard had been rendered useless by an errant prawn.
It's fixed now though.

Pastor McConnell was investigated by the PSNI for engaging in hate crime which led to his prosecution at Belfast Magistrates Court under 2003 Communications Act. He denied charges of improper use of a public electronic communications network, and causing a grossly offensive message to be sent by means of a public electronic communications network.

He denied the charges and has been aquitted.

t Belfast Magistrates Court Judge Liam McNally ruled that 78-year-old Pastor James McConnell from Shore Road, Newtownabbey, Co Antrim had made “offensive” comments but they did not reach the “high threshold” of being “grossly offensive”. About 80 supporters of Pastor McConnell applauded in the public gallery when the verdict was announced.

The Irish Times

If you get the time, read the full article it's quite interesting. Just thought you'd all like to know the outcome.