England Council Threatens Banning Street Peachers With Prison Terms

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News

RUSHMOOR, ENGLAND (Worthy News) – A Labour Party-run council in England wants to ban Christian street preachers with “an injunction,” or judicial order, that could result in lengthy prison sentences for violators.

The Rushmoor borough council in Hampshire county sought an injunction banning Christians from preaching, praying, and handing out leaflets in the centers of the towns of Farnborough and Aldershot.

The local authority claimed preachers were “offensive” and caused “alarm and distress” to passers-by.

It has prompted claims that the council is attempting to “criminalize” Christians because the maximum sentence for breaching an injunction is two years imprisonment.

Sally McGuinness, one of the preachers, said: “If this is not challenged and stopped in its tracks now, it will spread and will be terrible for Christian freedoms and freedom in general in this country.”

However, “I couldn’t believe it when I read it; it is unashamedly stopping the Gospel from being shared and treating us like unwanted criminals,” the preacher added.

PUBLIC COMPLAINTS

The council applied for the injunction in February, citing “disruption and distress being caused to the public and local businesses” by preachers over a “prolonged period.”

It also referred to complaints received by the public about the use of portable public address systems such as microphones and loudspeakers, stating that the preaching made them feel “angry and upset.”

It was not clear whether similar measures would be taken against street artists.

Under the terms of the drafted injunction, Christians would have been banned from praying for anyone “without their prior permission,” offering leaflets or Bibles by hand, and laying hands on anyone in prayer even if they consented.

Other proposed prohibitions included approaching people to discuss Christianity and the preaching of any sermons that were “hostile towards anyone with the protected characteristic of the age, disability, gender reassignment, pregnancy, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation.”

The preachers maintain that being seen as “hostile” is unavoidable when attempting to convince non-believers of the truth of the Christian faith.

‘MAKING MISTAKE’

One of the preachers said: “When I first read the injunction, I thought: ‘They must have made a mistake.’

“I felt complete unbelief that it was saying that you can’t have religious discussions, you can’t pray or sing, and people have to come to you, you can’t go to them and share the gospel, which Christians have done freely in this country for centuries.

The preacher said, “As a Christian, I am commanded to share the good news and am therefore compelled to share the gospel.”

The preacher added: The Gospel is not my idea; I am being obedient to God.”

The council has now withdrawn the initial terms of the injunction it applied for and says it will “rewrite it” while seeking “greater consultation” with local Christians.

However, with an injunction still on the table, Christians view it as part of growing restrictions on devoted believers to express their faith publicly, following similar measures near abortion clinics.

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