UK criminalizing Christianity? Street preacher arrested

By Abigail Sanchez Aguilar —

In a case that legal defense says gives evidence that the U.K. is criminalizing Christianity, a 66-year-old U.K. pastor was arrested while street preaching in London and faces hate speech-related charges for speaking out against Islam.

“A peaceful, Christian preacher was treated like a serious criminal for expressing his Christian beliefs and that Islam is a false religion in a public place,” said Andrea Williams, chief executive of the Christian Legal Centre. “The footage raises fundamental questions about whether policing in this country is now criminalizing Christianity while failing to apply the law equally and consistently.”

Pastor Steve Maile objected to being “double shackled” by Hertfordshire Constabulary officers, who said they were responding to complaints of assault on public order through racially or religiously aggravated disorderly behavior.

“You repent and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you’ll be saved,” he told the officers. “I have not assaulted anyone. Take these off now! Take these off in the name of Jesus.”

A female police officer seemed to mock him, “In the name of Jesus, get in the car.”

Maile, who is senior pastor of the Oasis City Church in Watford, England, says he has sung and preached from the Bible all around the world for 45 years. The New Zealand native argues that Christianity is the only way to salvation and called upon Muslims to recognize their violent history and repent on the fateful day in April 18.

“It’s called inciting religious hatred — which is false,” Maile says. “The cross of Christ is a message of hope, love, mercy, and reconciliation to a fallen world… How could that be hate?

“Literally, in seconds, I mean, they didn’t even talk to me or warn me or read me my rights,” he adds. “I was double handcuffed. In excruciating pain because these double handcuffs are pretty horrendous things. I was literally in shock. I thought, goodness, what have I done? What’s going on?”

The United Kingdom doesn’t have freedom of speech as in the U.S. The law says that threatening or abusive words likely to cause “harassment, alarm or distress” can result in a fine, but if it is “religiously aggravated,” it can result in months or even years of jail.

(But charges were dropped against four Muslims who drove through North London in 2021 broadcasting “F— the Jews” and “Rape their daughters.” Many charge the U.K. with two-tier policing, strict application of the law for Christians and whites, mercy for Muslims.)

“I don’t preach hate. I don’t preach violence. I preach the love of God, the mercy of God and the goodness of God in Christ Jesus,” Maile says. “Everybody needs to come by the way of the cross … And nobody gets a free pass.”

The entire incident was filmed. Maile’s legal team is strategizing and building its defense while he is released on bail. The case is expected to be presented to a judge within a year’s time.

“They chose the wrong man because I’m not going to capitulate,” Maile says. “I’ve got great news. God is on my side.”

Source: Fox News