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[Nickbat]

This is not a thread about religion, that's been done to death here of late.

It is a thread about freedom of speech.

Is it right or wrong to have a view on sexual orientation? There are laws to protect all groups from discrimination, but can one still, in a free society, express one's views?

Well clearly not, when you take this article into account.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/religion/7668448/Christian-preacher-arrested-for-saying-homosexuality-is-a-sin.html

You may disagree with the man, you may agree with the man, you may think he's mad, you may think he's sane.

That is not the issue.

What is at issue is the ability to express one's views in public, a time-honoured tradition that goes back centuries and is particularly evidenced at Speakers Corner in Hyde Park.

When someone cannot speak their mind without being taken away to the local police station where fingerprints, a palm print, a retina scan and a DNA swab are taken in a police cell, something is VERY, VERY, wrong.

Free speech has died in this country.

 

[Sixstring]

In Russia, many years ago, a little black car would draw up, you would be dragged inside, and probably taken to a gulag somewhere to live out your life.........
England is one of the few places in the world you can publically express your views without (much) trouble from the government/police/authorities.

[Gaffers]

This sounds like a conflict of interest on behalf of the PSCO who openly identified themselves as homosexual and the LGBT Liaison for her area.  And then the preacher is arrested under section 5(1) and 5(6) of the Public Order Act..... hmmmmm.  Any good lawyer will get this thrown out pdq

[HolyCount]

I'd get the PCSO thrown out pdq. His skin is obviously too thin for the job and he is abusing his position.

On a slightly different tangent -- WHY do they have such things as LGBT Liason Officers ?? Do they have an S (for straight) Liason Officer ?? 

Why do "other than straight" people insist on shoving their sexuality in peoples faces ? (As this PCSO has done, in a roundabout way)

[albitz]

This bloke was set up imo.The PCSO will probably go a long way in the modern thoughtpolice service. The Old world order must be smashed regardless of consequence,conform to the ways of the new elite or you will be crushed.Very sinister imo.

[Martin_1962]

I'd get the PCSO thrown out pdq. His skin is obviously too thin for the job and he is abusing his position.

On a slightly different tangent -- WHY do they have such things as LGBT Liason Officers ?? Do they have an S (for straight) Liason Officer ?? 

Why do "other than straight" people insist on shoving their sexuality in peoples faces ? (As this PCSO has done, in a roundabout way)

Since when did Lehmann Gross Bahn Trains need a liaison officer?

[HolyCount]

I'd get the PCSO thrown out pdq. His skin is obviously too thin for the job and he is abusing his position.

On a slightly different tangent -- WHY do they have such things as LGBT Liason Officers ?? Do they have an S (for straight) Liason Officer ?? 

Why do "other than straight" people insist on shoving their sexuality in peoples faces ? (As this PCSO has done, in a roundabout way)

Since when did Lehmann Gross Bahn Trains need a liaison officer?

[Martin_1962]

I'd get the PCSO thrown out pdq. His skin is obviously too thin for the job and he is abusing his position.

On a slightly different tangent -- WHY do they have such things as LGBT Liason Officers ?? Do they have an S (for straight) Liason Officer ?? 

Why do "other than straight" people insist on shoving their sexuality in peoples faces ? (As this PCSO has done, in a roundabout way)

Since when did Lehmann Gross Bahn Trains need a liaison officer?

LGB of course

[Lizzie_Zoom]

I find it hard to comprehend that on this forum any mention of the contents of the Bible, either real or perceived, is so often derided as either completely out of line with modern life at best, or even that it is just a fairy story!

Yet there is obvious favour being given to an individual who goes around spouting out so called "truths" from the Bible, who also ignores completly the teachings of Jesus Christ on tolerance and the love for all men (and I hope women!!), and is casting his own form of narrow mindness that should be rightly discredited and cast aside.

I can't imagine what it must be like to be "gay", but all this so called 'Christian' is doing is spreading more misery on those who are already trying to come to terms with their sexuality, with the added fear that they may be attacked by 'followers' of such evil sentiment.

I spend some time with Kent Police helping them to tackle hate crime, and it is quite astonishing what some in our so called liberal and broad minded society will do to others when they do not agree  with their beliefs, colour, seuality, or even just appearance.

Some may rubbish the laws that protect individual from descrimination, that in a case I officially know of involved brake lines being cut, razor blades being placed in ways designed to hurt the victim of discrimination, and the usual taunts of course! But these laws protect us all from others who do not agree with who we are, how we live, and our way of life, as in history we have witnessed taking place.

Only today I was talking to a white South African who now lives and works as a dentist in the UK.  He explained how there is a senior member of the ANC who has spread 'a song' throughout his movement extolling the worth of eradicating all white farmers.  Inciting the attacking and murder of those they do not like.  But there are apparently no laws to stop them from spreading this racial hatred, as there was not in Nazi Germany against all Jews, and non-Aryans.

Let us treasure our laws that in fact protects free speech, but conversely stops individuals and groups, such as the so called 'Christian', abusing that right by spreading hatred, unhappiness, isolation, and perhaps encourage violence from those with twisted minds. 8-) 8-)

[albitz]

If you read the actual words he used and read the interview he gave after his arrest - he doesnt hate gays, he has gay friends etc , he is a very reasonable man BUT his personal beliefs are that homosexuality doesnt comply with the law of god. Agree or disagree if you like, but why is it a crime to hold that belif in this country nowadays ? :-/

[Lizzie_Zoom]

If you read the actual words he used and read the interview he gave after his arrest - he doesnt hate gays, he has gay friends etc , he is a very reasonable man BUT his personal beliefs are that homosexuality doesnt comply with the law of god. Agree or disagree if you like, but why is it a crime to hold that belif in this country nowadays ? :-/

What he says in private Albs is between him, his conscience, and God.  What he says in public is another matter, and the way it is said can be construed as inciting hatred and is against the law. 

Believe me when I say these cases can escallate quickly with those of a twisted mind taking action no one wishes to see.

[albitz]

He said what he said to a woman he was having a conversation with. He didnt know the woman. When he finished speaking to her, the CPSO (who is the local rep for the gay police assoc.)went over to the woman, had a conversation with her and then events started to unfold.Entrapment imo.

[HolyCount]

If you read the actual words he used and read the interview he gave after his arrest - he doesnt hate gays, he has gay friends etc , he is a very reasonable man BUT his personal beliefs are that homosexuality doesnt comply with the law of god. Agree or disagree if you like, but why is it a crime to hold that belif in this country nowadays ? :-/

What he says in private Albs is between him, his conscience, and God.  What he says in public is another matter, and the way it is said can be construed as inciting hatred and is against the law. 

Believe me when I say these cases can escallate quickly with those of a twisted mind taking action no one wishes to see.

Hmmm -- one word springs to mind ....Pope !

[Lizzie_Zoom]

He said what he said to a woman he was having a conversation with. He didnt know the woman. When he finished speaking to her, the CPSO (who is the local rep for the gay police assoc.)went over to the woman, had a conversation with her and then events started to unfold.Entrapment imo.

But the women made a complaint that the PCSO is duty bound to follow up. 

This case may not be proved, with the CPS no doubt deciding not to pursue the matter further.  However, the principles I have outlined still hold good for the law of this land to protect the vunerable, and to be used against those that abuse the right of free speech and actions.

[Nickbat]

Let us treasure our laws that in fact protects free speech, but conversely stops individuals and groups, such as the so called 'Christian', abusing that right by spreading hatred, unhappiness, isolation, and perhaps encourage violence from those with twisted minds. 8-) 8-)

I'm sorry, but I think you've totally missed the point, Lizzie. He is, in my view, perfectly entitled to believe that sodomy is wrong. You may disagree, I may disagree, we may both agree, who knows? The important point is that he is entitled to his view and is entitled to express it. Who decides when freedom of speech is "being abused"? You? Kent Police?

Free speech is only abused when a person uses that right to encourage others to commit crime. He wasn't.