Criminalisation of Christianity

It would appear that what many believers have feared has happened. Despite the assurances of politicians about freedom of speech and conscience, the law is being used to harass and persecute Christians.

Today I am posting the highly disturbing report from the Archbishop Cranmer blog in its entirety. (http://archbishop-cranmer.blogspot.co.uk/)  The incident in question occurred at Wimbledon, England this week. It should serve as a warning to all born again Christians that we have now crossed the rubicon in this country.

Surely for Christians, silence on such matters is now no longer an option !!!!!

“Tony Miano is a street evangelist. He is also a retired veteran of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. During his career, he has served as a gang and juvenile crime investigator, field training officer, drug recognition expert, and a DUI enforcement specialist. According to his biography, he has 'received more than 60 commendations and citations for meritorious service, arrests, criminal investigations, and community service'.

He knows a thing or two about the law.

Mr Miano has recently been out preaching in Wimbledon. He very much enjoys biblical evangelism, speaking about spiritual growth, personal holiness and the person and work of Jesus Christ. On Monday, his theme was sexual immorality - all forms (1Thess 4:1-12). He talked about sin - heterosexual and homosexual - without discrimination. As he was preaching, a lady heard him say that homosexuality was a sin, and promptly summoned the police, who duly arrived.

Mr Miano was then arrested for violating Section 5 of the Public Order Act: he was accused of using homophobic speech likely to cause anxiety, distress, alarm or insult.

He was escorted to Wimbledon police station, where he was photographed, finger-printed and had a DNA sample taken. He was then incarcerated in a cell for seven hours.

And he was interrogated about his faith in Jesus Christ.

He was asked if he believed homosexuality was a sin. He was asked from which portion of the Bible he was preaching. Incredibly, he was asked whether, if a homosexual was hungry and walked up to him, he would give them something to eat.

He was then informed that there was sufficient evidence from his responses to forward his case to the CPS, and that the judge could order him to remain in the country for 4-5 months while his case came to trial.

Even before Parliament has legislated for same-sex marriage, we see the threat to religious liberty. Not since 1559 has there been an Act of Uniformity requiring everyone to assent to a particular worldview, and it took more than 300 years to eradicate that. But now we have a new Act of Uniformity which elevates equality and sexual orientation to a quasi-religious status which trumps any religious worldview which opposes it. It is secular pluralism by statute law.

Christians are harassed, intimidated, persecuted and interrogated. What manner of inquisition is it that asks: "If a homosexual was hungry and walked up to you, would you give them something to eat?"

And what manner of theological ignorance is it which has no grasp of the Christian divine command to love your neighbour by giving them food (Mt 25:35); or any understanding of the fundamental liberty to preach liberty to the captives?