Franklin Graham and the Glasgow Hydro: a Significant Judgment for Christian Freedoms

Christian Today ^ | 10/28/22 | David Robertson

[marshmallow]

In May 2020 Franklin Graham was due to lead an evangelistic campaign at one of Scotland's premier venues, the SEC's Hydro in Glasgow. He was then 'cancelled'. At the time I wrote that it was a seminal moment in the UK.

When the event was cancelled, it was estimated to have cost the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) around £100,000. In a ruling this week, a judge at a civil hearing in Glasgow Sheriff Court ordered the SEC to pay the full £100,000. The full 280-page finding makes for fascinating reading and covers many issues from Christian doctrine to the constitutional basis of religious freedom.

Patrick Harvie, leader of the Scottish Greens and a member of the Scottish government, was among those who lobbied for the event to be cancelled. Glasgow City Council- the majority shareholder in the SEC - also asked for it to be cancelled.

There were no security concerns about the event, despite venue staff claiming this was a major factor in the cancellation. The reason it was cancelled was purely and simply prejudice. In fact, the cancellation rather than being for 'equality' was found by Sheriff McCormick to be against the equalities law.

Other comments from the Sheriff are worth reflecting on, not least because they are an encouraging sign that the law is prepared to protect the Church both from intolerant politicians and indeed itself. Some principles are clearly stated in the judgment.

1. We have the right to evangelise – even if some people don't like it!

"The pursuer's right to engage a speaker at the evangelical event - in furtherance of a religious or philosophical belief - is protected by law."

2. It is illegal for those who disagree with us to discriminate against us

"It follows that in relation to a......

[Nifster]

Excellent

[No name given]

I think it’s still going to happen if it didn’t already.

[Governor Dinwiddie]

Article does not cut to the chase. I kept reading and finally gave up because the writer doesn't get to the point. He never get to the "The Five W's" : Who, What, When, Where, Why.