Evangelical Preacher on Trial After Branding Islam 'Satanic'

"LONDON (AP) -- An evangelical preacher from Northern Ireland who branded Islam satanic has been charged with spreading a "grossly offensive" message."

"The sermon was streamed online, and 78-year-old McConnell has been charged with transmitting the message over an electronic communications network."

EVANGELICAL PREACHER ON TRIAL AFTER BRANDING ISLAM 'SATANIC'

Having an opinion that is not in line with the government about Islam is now illegal? Right on euros pick and choose what people of faith can preach and believe. Because you know those who shoot and bomb over there are never followers of Islam. People who follow Islam would never do those things.

a reply to: shooterbrody

Which is why having an enumerated right to free speech is important.

I do not agree with what this meathead said but he should have the right to his opinion.

He probably offended Satanists with that statement. Satanism is not even remotely akin to Islam.

Wow that's dumb.

Sounds like the preacher isn't too smart though according to the article.

Whitewell Metropolitan Tabernacle in Belfast: "Islam is heathen. Islam is satanic."

Followed by his comments:

McConnell denies the charges, and told police he didn't intend to offend, insult, arouse fear or stir up tension.

How does #1, not lead to #2?

~Tenth

If only Satanism were violent....or allowed killing without cause...or didn't disallow the murder of children....or didn't disallow rape...sheesh.

a reply to: shooterbrody

Interesting how ever more Fascist the EU is starting to look.

Evangelical preachers have always said that if it isn't Christian, it's Satan. Governments are just overly sensitive and scared of offending the wrong (dangerous) people right now.

a reply to: shooterbrody

Yeah well I think evangelical preachers are evil.

a reply to: shooterbrody

Trial?
Why don't they just behead him?

a reply to: shooterbrody

Sorry, that is such bull#. Is Islam now the State Sponsored Protected Religion there?

There are many people who are quite sure that the beast system of Revelation (not the new popular Rome / Vatican theory) is known today as Islam under that revived Caliphate.

This is sensationalised nonsense...

We have freedom of speech here & preachers can say whatever they like.
YouTube will prove that.

Unless they incite violence.

There is undoubtedly more to this story, and if I remember correctly this goes way back and he was indeed inciting violence with Hate Speech.
Which isn't free from consequences.

This will be those hate speech laws everyone loves being enforced.

The odd thing is if he'd replaced the word Islam with ISIS he probably would have gotten away with it, and even been applauded for saying such.

He had the right idea, but he chose the wrong words in that he made a broad sweeping statement, when it applies only to parts of the group he targeted. And now he is in hot water. He'll no doubt become a hero among the far right though.

originally posted by: shooterbrody

"LONDON (AP) -- An evangelical preacher from Northern Ireland who branded Islam satanic has been charged with spreading a "grossly offensive" message."

"The sermon was streamed online, and 78-year-old McConnell has been charged with transmitting the message over an electronic communications network."

EVANGELICAL PREACHER ON TRIAL AFTER BRANDING ISLAM 'SATANIC'

Having an opinion that is not in line with the government about Islam is now illegal? Right on euros pick and choose what people of faith can preach and believe. Because you know those who shoot and bomb over there are never followers of Islam. People who follow Islam would never do those things.

This is crazy that you don't have free speech over there across the pond. Also, Muslim Clerics will constantly call for the killing of Jews and Christians even in the 'moderate' mosques. How do THEY get away with this?

originally posted by: Metallicus

originally posted by: shooterbrody

"LONDON (AP) -- An evangelical preacher from Northern Ireland who branded Islam satanic has been charged with spreading a "grossly offensive" message."

"The sermon was streamed online, and 78-year-old McConnell has been charged with transmitting the message over an electronic communications network."

EVANGELICAL PREACHER ON TRIAL AFTER BRANDING ISLAM 'SATANIC'

Having an opinion that is not in line with the government about Islam is now illegal? Right on euros pick and choose what people of faith can preach and believe. Because you know those who shoot and bomb over there are never followers of Islam. People who follow Islam would never do those things.

This is crazy that you don't have free speech over there across the pond. Also, Muslim Clerics will constantly call for the killing of Jews and Christians even in the 'moderate' mosques. How do THEY get away with this?

No kidding, check it out on video:

If they won't prosecute these people for treason and sedition, how can they go after this guy?

originally posted by: Metallicus

originally posted by: shooterbrody

"LONDON (AP) -- An evangelical preacher from Northern Ireland who branded Islam satanic has been charged with spreading a "grossly offensive" message."

"The sermon was streamed online, and 78-year-old McConnell has been charged with transmitting the message over an electronic communications network."

EVANGELICAL PREACHER ON TRIAL AFTER BRANDING ISLAM 'SATANIC'

Having an opinion that is not in line with the government about Islam is now illegal? Right on euros pick and choose what people of faith can preach and believe. Because you know those who shoot and bomb over there are never followers of Islam. People who follow Islam would never do those things.

This is crazy that you don't have free speech over there across the pond. Also, Muslim Clerics will constantly call for the killing of Jews and Christians even in the 'moderate' mosques. How do THEY get away with this?

Because 'they' are a protected minority. A minority who has shown through real world action they want to take over and are prepared to use acts of terror to do so.

When I saw the headline I thought it was going to be in Canada.

originally posted by: CharlieSpeirs
This is sensationalised nonsense...

We have freedom of speech here & preachers can say whatever they like.
YouTube will prove that.

Unless they incite violence.

There is undoubtedly more to this story, and if I remember correctly this goes way back and he was indeed inciting violence with Hate Speech.
Which isn't free from consequences.

www.bbc.com...

There is more to this story.
"Belfast Magistrates' Court heard that Pastor McConnell called Islam "satanic" and "heathen""
"The barrister acknowledged the shout, but said the sermon had been grossly offensive, and was outside any legal protection given to preachers from the pulpit."

I guess I didn't realize euros had a state religion IE if the state doesn't like what you say from a pulpit the state can say it is not religion.
Crazy that your state controls your religions.

yea, he should have the rights to say what he wants.

surely his sentiments will incite peace and shed light on the delineation between a religion followed by billions peacefully and a handful whom hide behind the veil of religion for political, economical, social dominance and intolerance.

but more over, how is this less outrageous than what some of the (US) presidential prospects have been saying about Muslims.

originally posted by: odzeandennz
yea, he should have the rights to say what he wants.

surely his sentiments will incite peace and shed light on the delineation between a religion followed by billions peacefully and a handful whom hide behind the veil of religion for political, economical, social dominance and intolerance.

but more over, how is this less outrageous than what some of the (US) presidential prospects have been saying about Muslims.

Or less outrageous than this"Speaking at the Muslim Advocates dinner on December 3, Lynch’s remarks stirred controversy, beginning with:

Now obviously this is a country that is based on free speech, but when it edges towards violence, when we see the potential for someone … lifting that mantle of anti-Muslim rhetoric, or, as we saw after 9/11, violence against individuals who may not even be Muslims but may be perceived to be Muslims … When we see that, we will take action…."

a reply to: shooterbrody

Bear in mind this is Northern Ireland and the last thing they need right now is a minister inciting religious intolerance. They certainly don't need any more 'troubles'.