Posted on 09/08/2006 5:21:03 PM PDT by FreedomCalls
A police force was caught up in a freedom of speech row after its officers arrested an anti-gay campaigner for handing out leaflets at a homosexual rally.
South Wales police admitted evangelical Christian Stephen Green was then charged purely because his pamphlets contained anti-gay quotations from the Bible.
Mr Green faces a court appearance today charged with using 'threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour' after his attempt to distribute the leaflets at the weekend 'Mardi Gras' event in Cardiff.
A spokesman for the police said the campaigner had not behaved in a violent or aggressive manner, but that officers arrested him because 'the leaflet contained Biblical quotes about homosexuality'.
The arrest of Mr Green by the South Wales Minorities Support Unit provoked a furious row. Church of England evangelicals said it represented 'an onslaught on freedom of speech and freedom of religious expression' and Tory MPs called it 'disturbing'.
The decision to prosecute Mr Green is the latest in a series of police initiatives aimed against those who have expressed public disapproval of homosexual behaviour.
In recent months incidents have included a Metropolitan Police warning to author Lynette Burrows that she was responsible for a 'homophobic incident' after she suggesting on a BBC Radio Five Live programme that gays did not make ideal adoptive parents.
Another warning about future behaviour was delivered by Lancashire police who visited the home of a Christian couple after they complained about their local council's gay rights policies.
The Met Police in London also investigated former Muslim Council of Britain leader Sir Iqbal Sacranie after he gave an interview saying homosexuality was harmful. However, no prosecution followed in that case.
The action against Mr Green came after he and a fellow member of his evangelical group, Christian Voice, tried to distribute leaflets at the gay Mardi Gras event in Cardiff.
Several thousand people attended the event, which included a gay rugby tournament and a 'top gayer motor show', and which was addressed on the importance of tolerance by Liberal Democrat council chief Rodney Berman.
The anti-gay campaigners were first asked by police to leave the site of the show following 'complaints from the public', and complied with the request. However, they were approached again by police when they began handing out leaflets at the entrance to the park where the Mardi Gras was staged.
Mr Green refused to stop distributing leaflets and was arrested, and then questioned for four hours at a police station. He was charged after refusing a caution.
The leaflets were headed Same-Sex Love - Same-Sex Sex: What does the Bible Say?, and included a series of quotations from the 1611 King James Bible, a text usually regarded as one of the foundation stones of the English language.
Aimed at demonstrating Biblical disapproval of homosexual sex, they included from the Old Testament Leviticus 18.22, 'Thou shalt not lie with mankind as with womankind: it is abomination'.
The leaflets also quoted Romans 1:25-27 from the New Testament, to the effect that homosexuals are given to 'vile affections'.
The handbills urged homosexuals to 'turn from your sins and you will be saved'.
The charge against Mr Green is that he used 'threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour within the hearing or sight of a person likely to be caused harassment, alarm or distress thereby', contrary to the Public Order Act 1986.
Mr Green's Christian Voice group is regarded by other evangelicals as particularly militant and it has been heavily involved in demonstrations against theatre performances of Jerry Springer the Opera. However, Mr Green has no record of violence or intimidation.
He said yesterday: 'I am astonished that South Wales Police have a special unit dedicated to silencing those who disagree with homosexuality.'
He said that the force boasts of working closely with gay groups and added: 'Maybe they work a bit too closely when an evangelist can be victimised simply because he is giving out leaflets quoting verses from the same Bible police officers swear on in court.' There was strong support for Mr Green from other Christian groups yesterday.
The Reverend Rod Thomas, a Plymouth vicar and spokesman for the influential Reform organisation that represents 500 Church of England clergy, said: 'The methods of Christian Voice do not always commend themselves to other Christians.
'But if there was nothing involved here other than the content of the leaflets, the arrest represents an onslaught on freedom of speech and on freedom of religious expression.
'Why gay rights are regarded as more important that freedom of expression I do not know. There is a real danger that those who have tried to support gay rights for liberal reasons may find themselves responsible for suppressing vital liberties.'
Tory MP Douglas Carswell, a member of the Parliamentary Human Rights Committee, said: 'I disagree with Mr Green's views but I feel very strongly that he should be allowed to express them.'
The Harwich and Clacton MP added: 'I take a liberal view on sexuality but I am disturbed that the police should show so much vigour in arresting this man and bringing him before the courts. I am deeply worried about the implications for freedom of expression.'
Colin Hart of the Christian Institute think tank said: 'This was a very gentle leaflet. There was no use of words like "perversion". I have to wonder if churches, bishops and archbishops are now vulnerable to arrest for their views on homosexuality.
'It is noticeable that police never arrest Muslims who make remarks about homosexuality. They pick on Christians because it is easy, just as they pick on middle class drivers for speeding because it is easier than catching burglars.'
You have to wonder how the Brits are going to resolve the coming conflict between Islam's interpretation of homosexuality and the tolerance of gays in society. Two protected groups! What's a country to do?
I had to re-read the article; I thought this was in San Francisco.....
Money quote: "It is noticeable that police never arrest Muslims who make remarks about homosexuality."
Once Islam takes over, these homosexuals will go back to closet like in Islamic countries.
The brits need to write their own "Bill of Right" beginnig with #1 - The right to Bear Arms to protect themselves, their familie, and their freedoms against all tyrants, foreign and domenstic.
All other rights are born and protected though that basic right.
ping to the list
Hand out leaflets with anti-gay quotes from the Koran!
May God take my breath away forever when I expose my kids to any gay festival. They are young and DO NOT need to be exposed to perversion. While they are young, I want them to enjoy the innocent privileges I had as a child. Going to the movies with my parents, going to Zoo's etc..
They will be exposed soon enough to the vile world liberals have left us to deal with. But the liberal indoctrination will not work with my children. They will be fully informed once they enter the world as adults. After that, they will have to make their own decisions.
Yea, you will hear closet doors slamming shut all over “Merry Ole England”.
You have the right idea....let the kids enjoy their childhood, in a NUCLEAR FAMILY ENVIRONMENT.
It's gotta be that way to prepare them for what they inevitably will be exposed to when they get to school and the street, but if they have the right basic values, they can survive.
They fight is on between Saddam and Sodom.
Comming soon to this country.
"but that officers arrested him because 'the leaflet contained Biblical quotes about homosexuality'.
So passing out the Koran on a street would ten also be reason to be arrested right???????
Money quote: "It is noticeable that police never arrest Muslims who make remarks about homosexuality."
They never arrest Muslims that carry banners like: "Behead those who insult Islam"
That wouldn't be threatening... riiiiight!
Ummm... actually they do. There was a case a while back where The head of the Muslim Council of Britain made some homophobic remarks on the radio- later on he was arrested and investigated much as Green is being.
... Which I've just noticed is mentioned in the report. Anyway, it somewhat gives the lie to Green's remarks. It's worth pointing out that Green only seems to value freedom of speech when it relates to him- he normally spends his time trying to get stuff that he doesn't like banned, so personally I find it amusing that he gets a taste of his own medicine.
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