Belfast Pastor on Trial for Offending Islam

by Soeren Kern • August 18, 2015 at 5:00 am

Pastor McConnell's prosecution is one of a growing number of examples in which British authorities -- who routinely ignore incendiary speech by Muslim extremists -- are using hate speech laws to silence Christians.
"I think this is an important issue of freedom of speech. I believe a prosecution like this introduces a chill factor into society where people feel that if they speak out on something that they believe passionately they could end up being dragged through the courts." — Democratic Unionist Party MP Sammy Wilson.
"The police tried to shut me up and tell me what to preach... They have the right to say what they believe in and I have a right to say what I believe... I have no regrets about what I said. I do not hate Muslims, but I denounce Islam as a doctrine and I make no apologies for that... My church funds medical care for 1,200 Muslim children in Kenya and Ethiopia...I've no hatred in my heart for Muslims, but I won't be stopped from preaching against Islam." — Pastor James McConnell.
"James McConnell didn't incite hatred or encourage violence against any Muslim...H e simply expressed his views about another religion. Freedom of speech should mean that he has every right to lambast Islam, as Islamic clerics have to lambast him and Christianity if they so choose. Those who disagree with Pastor McConnell should challenge him and attempt to win the debate, rather than close it down... Freedom of speech isn't only for polite persons of mild disposition airing their views within government-policed parameters. It's about letting awkward, insulting and even offensive voices be heard too. And yet the silence from civil liberties and human rights organisations here has been deafening. In any democracy worth its salt, freedom of speech isn't a luxury for your friends, it's a necessity for your enemies. Defending Pastor McConnell's right to say what he said doesn't mean approving or embracing his sentiments." — Suzanne Breen, an atheist journalist, Belfast Telegraph.
"Islam is allowed to come to this country, Islam is allowed to worship in this country, Islam is allowed to preach in this country and they preach hate.... We are persecuted in Islam if we stand for Jesus Christ." — Pastor James McConnell.

Pastor James McConnell, surrounded by supporters, speaks to the media outside Laganside Magistrates Court in Belfast on August 6.

An evangelical Christian pastor in Northern Ireland has made his first court appearance after he was charged with making "grossly offensive" remarks about Islam.

James McConnell, 78, appeared at Laganside Magistrates Court in Belfast on August 6, after local Muslims complained that he delivered a sermon in which he described Islam as "heathen" and "satanic."

According to Northern Ireland's Public Prosecution Service (PPS), McConnell — whose sermon was streamed live on the Internet — violated the 2003 Communications Act by "sending, or causing to be sent, by means of a public electronic communications network, a message or other matter that was grossly offensive."

Pastor McConnell's prosecution is one of a growing number of examples in which British authorities — who routinely ignore incendiary speech by Muslim extremists — are using hate speech laws to silence Christians.