Churches, evangelists and the Christian Legal Centre have teamed as much as oppose an injunction proposed by Labour-run Rushmoor Council that critics say is an efficient ban on preaching the gospel outdoors.
The injunction, which has been within the works for 2 years, seeks to heavily curtail preaching activities within the town centres of Aldershot and Farnborough. The council claims that its injunction is designed to “prevent alarm and distress” and has justified the proposal by citing a variety of complaints from members of the general public.
Under the injunction, praying within the designated areas without prior permission could be prohibited.
Handing out leaflets or other materials would even be disallowed, although they may very well be made available for anyone to select them up. The council has also taken issue with the laying on of hands to wish for people.
The clearest evidence that the injunction acts as a de facto evangelism ban is that the next are also banned: “Approaching anyone who shouldn’t be themselves street preaching for the aim of engaging them with discussion about religion or belief.”
And also: “Engaging in street preaching which is hostile towards anyone with the protected characteristic of age, disability, gender reassignment, pregnancy, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation.”
Council representatives claim that their injunction considers the rights of all parties, something disputed by the Christian Legal Centre, who’ve denounced the proposed injunction as “disproportionate and illegal”.
A preacher reacts
One trained evangelist who operates in the world said he couldn’t consider the injunction when he first read it and assumed it should have been a mistake or the work of a rogue anti-Christian extremist within the council.
“I felt complete unbelief that it was saying that you could’t have religious discussions, you may’t pray or sing, and other people have to come back to you, you may’t go to them and share the gospel which Christians have done freely on this country for hundreds of years,” he said.
The evangelist also told of encounters with the police, who told him to show down the amount on his sound system. When asked if using sound amplification was illegal, the police simply called for back-up slightly than answering the query.The evangelist added, “As a Christian I’m commanded to share the excellent news and am subsequently compelled to share the gospel. The gospel shouldn’t be my idea, I’m being obedient to God.“There is a fracturing of the understanding of what the Christian faith is across this land. For the primary 19 years of my life, I used to be against God, but then my life was completely modified. I do know what it’s wish to be on the opposite side, and I do know people can change their minds and find hope. That is why I do what I do.“Since we came upon in regards to the injunction and asked for prayer, we have now been contacted by Christians from across the UK. The issue is uniting preachers and Christians and we’re prepared to challenge this so far as need be to stop the gospel being criminalised in Aldershot and Farnborough.”
The council said that they had received a variety of complaints in regards to the activities of preachers. One of the complainants was a gay man with a “transgender son”. Others said that preaching made them feel “indignant and upset” and that it “ruins their day [when] they’re judged”. Others even said they might stay awake at night.
In one case Christian preachers were met with hecklers who had an indication saying “Jesus Hates Gay People”. The man bearing the sign also complained that Christian preachers were creating “a non-inclusive environment”.
The preachers took issue with this and with the sign, which they identified was inaccurate. The council is just proposing restrictions on one side of the dispute.
After a challenge by the Christian Legal Centre, the court hearing to seal the injunction was postponed and the council has indicated it intends to re-write the injunction.
Andrea Williams, chief executive of the Christian Legal Centre, said: “We stand with the Christian preachers in Aldershot and Farnborough. The proposed injunction is disproportionate and illegal, and we are going to challenge some other laws the council tries to bring wherein attempts to silence and criminalise the Christian faith.”
