Posted on 09/25/2011 5:13:33 PM PDT by massmike
Police in Lancashire have told the owner of a Christian café to stop displaying Bible texts on a video screen, because it breaches public order laws.
Officers attended the Salt & Light Coffee House on Layton Road, Blackpool, on Monday 19 September, following a complaint about “insulting” and “homophobic” material.
The café’s owner, Mr Jamie Murray, says the officers did not specify which Bible texts had caused the offence.
He says the officers told him that displaying offensive or insulting words is a breach of Section 5 of the Public Order Act, and told him to stop displaying the Bible.
The Bible texts are displayed on a TV screen at the back of the café. Mr Murray uses a set of DVDs called the Watchword Bible.
The DVDs cycle through the whole of the New Testament verse by verse, with the words appearing on the screen. Mr Murray mutes the audio.
He told the police officers he would agree to stop displaying the Bible verses while he sought legal advice. After speaking with a lawyer, he is once again displaying the material.
In 2005 the same force, Lancashire Constabulary, paid out £10,000 compensation to Joe and Helen Roberts, an elderly Christian couple who had been investigated by the police for telling their council that they didn’t agree with homosexuality.
“After that controversy they promised to review their procedures to stop this kind of nonsense. They broke that promise on Monday when their officers marched into the Christian café. The police may now be facing another costly legal action.
“It ought to go without saying that reading the Bible out loud in a public place, or displaying Bible texts in a Christian café, is not of itself a criminal offence. I am alarmed that I even have to point that out.
(Excerpt) Read more at christian.org.uk ...
Britain is always a few years ahead of the US. I pray that the backlash against this immorality is coming here in 2012, but it seems too late for the UK. I hope they can prove tortuous interference, but their business will likely improve.
Britain is always a few years ahead of the US. I pray that the backlash against this immorality is coming here in 2012, but it seems too late for the UK. I hope they can prove tortuous interference, but at least, their business will likely improve.
I’ll bet the raiders do not pay the fines if any.How ironic that in situations like this a person can end up being a loser by having to pay part of their own legal award.
In SF, there are gay bookstores with books on display showing fellatio on the COVER —they don’t get hassled for it.
How is this different?
And just one old plain Bible that is worn with use. It's right next to the sweet 22-250 that shoots 1/8 MOA at 100 yards. Left hand bolt, so it's awkward for some folks.
I figure I'll read any of my Bibles when and where I please. Everyone else can pound sand if they don't like it.
/johnny
Way to screw that up.... Administratura....
You may have your churches now, UK, but the track you’re rolling down won’t allow any “negative” speech soon enough.
Unless you get your sh!t together, the Orwellian “thought police” you welcome will further decimate what’s left of yoru once proud nation.
I love the Brits but the UK state is a complete travesty. Sadly the USA is not far behind.
—He says the officers told him that displaying offensive or insulting words is a breach of Section 5 of the Public Order Act—
I was going to say that is ridiculous and totally unconstitutional. Then I noticed it was in the UK.
Never mind. Now I know why the Pilgrims risked their lives to brave the ocean voyage to the new world. Now they can just go to Hethrow. there should be a flood. Why isn’t there?
—displaying offensive or insulting words —
That’s pretty funny. ALL words offend or insult SOME people. It allows a complete shut down of any semblance of free speech. But it is not really protected in the UK, so I guess this is sort of a “dog bites man” story.
This crap is coming our way.
Because they can't afford it. The government tries to keep the 'rabble' poor.
What ever happend to the poor sods that were wearing the Cross of St George for a uniform? I was all behind the red cross on white.
/johnny
Heck ya...
gird your loins, Christians. The haters and anti-free speech fascists are coming for our liberty. NO matter if you live in England or America.
great Britain is slowing sliding into that black hole known as third world country status. The government and its people are too stupid and lazy to do anything to stop it.
Just switch over to the Queeran and dare the cops to say a word.
I just hope that Great Britain doesn’t start becoming a new source of illegal immigrants to the U.S. again... So 19th century...
Look for this kind of sh!t to start happening here.When do we stand our ground against the gubmint?
Of course, bellowing “Behead those who insult Islam” on London streets is perfectly civilized behavior.
Such is the world of liberalism, where good is bad, and up is down. Where they believe there is no basis for determining right or wrong, and yet they condemn others for proclaiming something as true. On what basis do they make this value judgment? This is cognitive dissonance.
ping
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