Posted on 06/16/2008 4:07:36 PM PDT by forkinsocket
CHRISTIANS from all over the country were gathering in Birmingham today following claims that two ministers were ejected by police for preaching the word of Jesus.
Followers from Christian Voice have accused West Midlands Police for turning the predominately Muslim area of Alum Rock into a no-go zone for non-Muslims.
The Carmarthen-based group was heading into Alum Rock today to distribute Christian leaflets and share the Gospel with passers-by.
Stephen Green, national director of Christian Voice, said: “We are coming to preach the Gospel and to show West Midlands Police that they cannot create a Muslim ghetto for the Gospel.
“If a West Midlands Police Community Support Officer and a police constable told the preachers to leave the area that sounds like a no-go area and they need to be told that this is just wrong.
“I’m sure that most Muslims would agree with having freedom of speech.”
He also said the group, which claims to heal a nation in pain through prophetic prayer, was no more radical than the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Earlier this month, evangelists Arthur Cunningham, 48, and Joseph Abraham, 65, claim they were told they were committing a hate crime by Naeem Naguthney, community police support officer (PCSO) for preaching, and risked being beaten up if they returned.
Father Abraham claimed: “The officer said we were ‘off-limits’. He said we were committing a hate crime, but who we were hating, exactly, I have no idea.”
Father Cunningham, a fellow American Baptist missionary, added: “This is a free country and to suggest we were guilty of a hate crime for spreading God’s word is outrageous.”
West Midlands Police are currently holding an internal review following a complaint from the two preachers.
A spokeswoman said: “West Midlands Police would like to reiterate its reassurance to all communities that there are not any ‘no go’ areas in the West Midlands Police area and we will defend the rights of all individuals’ lawful rights to freedom of expression and religion.”
Faith leaders also stood side by side to deny that Alum Rock had become a no-go area for non- Muslims.
Members of the Church of England, Catholic and Islamic faiths issued a message of solidarity to say a lot of work had been done to bring the communities together.
Diane Dawson, a volunteer at Our Lady of the Rosary and St Therese Church, said: “We live in a community of different beliefs.”
Praise God
“thou I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, ...”
Just as long as John Rambo isn’t needed.
>“I’m sure that most Muslims would agree with having freedom of speech.”
I’d like to believe that, but my head says just as likely not.
Their silence is deafening! The coming blood bath is the responsibility of so called “moderate muslims” and their failure to reform their religion.
"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the Faith..."
2 Timothy 4:7
Ping to read later
God bless ‘em.
I thought U Turns were illegal in England.....LOL
Holy is His name!
Islam is a hate crime..
Wrong Birmingham - More likely near "Spaghetti Junction"
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.