Free speech win is a “game changer”

Appeal victory sees off a “tsunami” of similar cases

The recent legal victory of student social worker Felix Ngole is a “game changer” that could protect thousands of other Christians who have lived in fear of expressing their views in … Read More

Christian rugby star bullied by PC brigade

Now merely agreeing with an orthodox opinion makes you unfit to play for your country

AS THE Rugby World Cup starts in Japan in September, Billy Vunipola will be a dead cert for the England team if he’s fit.

But … Read More

German family takes home-schooling battle to top European court

The four Wunderlich children today, after being reunited with their parents

A German Christian couple whose children were taken away by the state is taking the fight for home schooling to the top human rights court of Europe.

Over 30 … Read More

Doc dumped for trans beliefs

“Bullying and bigotry” by zealots

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NHS director loses fight over adoption views

BBC’s South-East Today reports on Richard Page’s case                 

Believing a dad and mum are best “undermined” staff confidence

Several years ago magistrate Richard Page told a legal colleague that he thought children … Read More

US State backs Christian baker

The US administration has given its support to Christian baker Jack Phillips, who refused to make a cake for a gay wedding and was found guilty of discriminating against the same-sex couple.

Addressing the Supreme Court, which is to make a decision on Phillips’ appeal against his conviction, Acting Solicitor General Jeff Wall wrote: “Forcing Phillips to create expression for and participate in a ceremony that violates his sincerely held religious beliefs invades his First Amendment rights…  An artist cannot be forced to paint, a musician cannot be forced to play, and a poet cannot be forced to write.”  Read More

Street preachers win cases

A victory for the street preachers whose case was HEART’s April 2017 cover story

Christian campaigners are celebrating court decisions in favour of three street preachers.

A victory for the street preachers whose case was HEART’s April 2017 cover story

Michael Overd and Michael Stockwell were arrested after preaching in Bristol city centre and fined in February, but Judge Picton overruled the conviction at Bristol Crown Court in July, saying he was “conscious of the right of freedom of speech and freedom of expression”. Read More

DEAR PRIME MINISTER… WHERE’S THE STRONG AND STABLE SUPPORT FOR CHRISTIANS?

Changing the cultural climate will require the boldness of a revivalist rather than a politician’s pragmatism

It is a year since Theresa May became Prime Minister after six years as Home Secretary.

In that year it does not seem as if anything has improved for Christians who stick their heads above the parapet by graciously refusing to bake a cake, offering to pray for a colleague or quoting the Bible in public (see the report on street preacher Mike Overd in HEART April/May 2017 called ‘Battle for the Bible’).

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BATTLE FOR THE BIBLE

Street preacher Mike Overd is unafraid to quote the Bible in public

Court bans ‘abusive’ Bible On UK streets

By Andrew Halloway

A PUBLIC PROSECUTOR HAS DECLARED THAT PREACHING FROM CERTAIN PARTS OF THE BIBLE IS “A CRIMINAL … Read More

So what does the conviction of the two street preachers in Bristol signify?

Rev Andrew Symes of Anglican Mainstream answers three of the most commonly voiced questions:

Are there other precautions these street preachers should have taken or that others should learn from for the future?

Andrew Symes: ‘People can shut down Christians quickly’

I personally don’t like street preachers who just shout at passers by.

I’ve been involved in street evangelism in the past where music and drama can draw a crowd; there can be a challenging but winsome message, the distribution of tracts and the offer of chat and prayer on a one to one basis.

So I think there can be street preaching that is effective and attractive, or annoying and off-putting. But that’s a matter of taste, and people shouldn’t be arrested for bad taste! If someone is courageous enough to preach in the street, they should perhaps work with local churches to make sure they are in the right place and doing it in a way that attracts people and doesn’t just repel them. I’m talking about the method… Read More