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Preacher Arrested for Calling Homosexuality a Sin

UK Baptist charged with harassment, abusive language

By Jane Yager,  Newser Staff

Posted May 3, 2010 5:00 AM CDT

(Newser) – A UK minister was arrested for harassment after publicly calling homosexuality a sin. Baptist preacher Dale McAlpine spent seven hours in jail on charges that because he had made the remark loudly enough for others to overhear, it constituted abusive language. McAlpine was handing out religious pamphlets in public when he told a passing shopper homosexuality went against the word of God; a nearby police community support officer then approached McAlpine and told him he could be arrested for homophobic language.


McAlpine was indeed arrested shortly thereafter under a 1986 British public order law aimed at cracking down on soccer hooligans; following his arrest, Christian campaigners told the Daily Telegraph they're alarmed the law is being used to curb religious speech. Others previously charged under the same act include a Christian activist who handed out leaflets at a Gay Pride festival in 2006 and a preacher who held up a sign saying "Stop Homosexuality" in 2002.

WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA - JUNE 08:  An anti-gay Christian protester demonstrates against same-sex marriage during the 38th annual LA Pride Parade June 8, 2008 in West Hollywood, California.
WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA - JUNE 08: An anti-gay Christian protester demonstrates against same-sex marriage during the 38th annual LA Pride Parade June 8, 2008 in West Hollywood, California.   (Getty Images)
BEVERLY HILLS, CA - JUNE 16:  Anti-gay religious protesters picket near a gay pride flag at the ceremony of lesbian couple Robin Tyler and Diane Olson on June 16, 2008 in Beverly Hills, California.
BEVERLY HILLS, CA - JUNE 16: Anti-gay religious protesters picket near a gay pride flag at the ceremony of lesbian couple Robin Tyler and Diane Olson on June 16, 2008 in Beverly Hills, California.   (Getty Images)
Anti-gay religious protesters picket near a gay pride flag.
Anti-gay religious protesters picket near a gay pride flag.   (Getty Images)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 109 comments
Ucantusethatname
Sep 30, 2010 9:37 AM CDT
Whatever happened to freedom of speech in the UK? It is now a crime to express the belief that homosexual conduct is a sin? A Christian preacher can no longer privately express this idea? Minorities rule! Whatever happened to democracy? Who decided that homosexuals and Muslims should rule the world?
DontLikeYou___
May 4, 2010 7:45 AM CDT
So, after reading the comments here, I believe we have a consensus. The bible considers homosexuality a sin and we have freedom of speech in America, but the British no longer have freedom of speech, they have Fascism.
cyclops
May 4, 2010 5:32 AM CDT
The man didn't say homosexulity was a sin the Bible does and that settles it,arrest me.

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