Posted on 11/25/2020 7:28:08 AM PST by Gamecock
(Origianl language is German. I used Google translate and did some editing for readability)
The Bremen district court has convicted the pastor of the St. Martini Protestant congregation in the Hanseatic city, Olaf Latzel, of sedition. The presiding judge Ellen Best said on Wednesday that the 53-year-old theologian had incited hatred against homosexuals in a "marriage seminar" posted on YouTube. She joined the public prosecutor's request and imposed a four-month prison sentence, converted to a fine of 90 euros a day for 90 days. The defense had pleaded for acquittal. (AZ: 96 Ds 225 Js 26577/20)
The punishment is in the lowest possible range. The defendant's lawyer described the guilty verdict as a "catastrophe" and a "gateway to restrict freedom of expression". He announced an appeal. With its ruling, the court was subject to the public prosecutor's request for 90 euros a day for 120 days.
In October 2019 the strictly conservative regional church pastor taught a "biblical driving school on marriage" in front of 30 couples. A recording of this was put online in March with his consent on his YouTube channel with almost 25,000 subscribers. In the marriage seminar, Latzel had interpreted marriage biblically and theologically and also talked about the dangers for it. In connection with this, he said that "the whole gender crap is a kind of attack on God's order of creation". In addition: "These criminals run around everywhere from the CSD (Christopher Street Day), celebrate parties and hang the rainbow flag on the town hall. These are deliberately anti-Christian things that are used to torpedo marriage." Latzel had also spoken of a "devilish" gay lobby at the seminar.
The judge did not accept his argument that the statements did not refer to homosexuals in general, but to homosexuality, which the Bible rejects as a sin. Homosexuality without people is inconceivable, said Best. The defendant's statements about the "CSD criminals" also insinuated that one could proceed against them with a "license to act".
Latzel's lawyer announces his appeal
At the same time, Best attested that the pastor had a "great talent for speech". It remains to be hoped that he would use this gift more for a peaceful society and a friendlier tone. "We should all work to ensure that we are treated more respectfully again."
Latzel's lawyer Sascha Böttner made it clear in the courtroom that he would appeal to the regional court or possibly appeal to the higher regional court. But you may have to fight until the Federal Constitutional Court.
BEK is "deeply affected"
The clerk of the Bremen Evangelical Church (BEK), Pastor Bernd Kuschnerus, said that he was "deeply concerned" that "a pastor of our church has been convicted of sedition."
It remains to be seen whether an appeal will be lodged against this judgment, said Kuschnerus. The church committee of the Bremen Evangelical Church (BEK) wants to deal with the outcome of the proceedings in its meeting on December 10th. Then the continuation of the currently suspended disciplinary proceedings will be discussed.
With the new administration I can see them coming for Christians here in the US.
This Pastor needs to take the prison time, they want him to $$ out so this case goes away from the news while being a threat deterrent to preaching the Gospel!
Thank you great-grandfather, and great-great-grandmother (on my mother’s side) for getting the hell out of Austria and Germany...
Take the time. Let the state pay for him and look at it as a 90 day prison ministry.
Sedition must not mean what I think it means.
Merkel’s Germany is evil.
So I guess the fascist left now has a new “crime” to charge conservatives with. Meanwhile, no sedition charges for these guys.
Now find an imam, you coward judge.
I've read the original German-language article, which refers to "Volksverhetzung" - literally: incitement against a "people" (or against an "identifiable group").
The root of "Verhetzung" is "die Hatz" - i.e., the chasing or hunting (usually of a game animal.)
"Volksverhetzung" has been on the books since the reconstitution of West Germany after WW II, so it isn't simply a form of the new-fangled "hate speech."
The word "sedition" has a different and much more narrowly-defined meaning. It refers to any speech or activity or behavior which tends to rebel (or encourage rebellion) against the "established order" (usually: the State).
So: To translate "Volksverhetzung" with "sedition" is quite inappropriate.
As for the case at hand: I highly doubt that the good pastor could legitimately be accused of "Volksverhetzung," since he assuredly wasn't proposing that any homosexuals be simply attacked in a lawless fashion (like by a mob).
Regards,
I wonder if there have been any similar convictions of Muslims. My guess is no.
islam is a totalitarian death cult founded by a child rapist.
one must exercise first ammendment rights any time they are challenged anywhere in the world.
Another item in the Western culture suicide watch.
The ideas of the judge are totally contrary to the western philosophical base in freedom of speech concepts such as: I disapprove of what you day but I will defend to the death your right to say it.
We have for years now been watching the destruction of freedom of speech, inch by inch. Before long it will be totally gone.
The plan is to eliminate Christianity. Unfortunately, there is another religion waiting in the wings, ready to replace it, and it throws gays off high buildings.
Thanks. That explains the odd use of the word.
Western Europe generally is more far gone than the US, at least for the moment. They’re still sane in Eastern Europe - also just for the moment maybe.
They even had the nerve to go after them again even after they won in Federal court. The process is the punishment, as any small business or individual will be driven into bankruptcy.
They’re at least a year or two ahead of the U.S..
Thank you for pinging me - I'll share the Polish catholic groups who are supporting this brave pastor.
It is here
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