The conviction and $1,500 fine for a street preacher who feels his calling is to share the gospel on the streets of Oslo, Norway, has been upheld by an intermediate court.
He was in the city's downtown area on June 29 and 30, and on the second day was arrested for delivering a gospel message, even though he'd been told by city officials he could exercise his free speech rights on the public sidewalks without a permit. He was released after a few hours, and fined 9,000 Kroners, about $1,500, then appealed, and the IHRG got involved.
He is a strong Christian brother who has a very definite calling to preach the gospel on the streets of Oslo – his hometown," Thornton said. "He preaches a very sound biblical message about the sin of man and the need to repent and turn to God through His Son, Jesus Christ..Thoughts?
2007-08-10 09:28:04 · 26 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The ACLU defends this freedom. Even on this exact issue.
2007-08-10 09:33:40 · answer #1 · answered by Le BigMac 6 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Are there more details that's being left out. Was he arrested for preaching the Gospel, or was he breaking some other law/city ordinance?
Well, if we follow and uphold the Constitution (unlike the Bush/Cheney malAdministration who is frighteningly thrashing our Constitution to shreds) street preachers will be allowed to do so in America, forever.
I see preachers constantly in and around the city, on subway platforms, some people get on the Bus here and ride one stop just so they can "spread the Word" to the riders. It's a funny and strange experience.
If you, crimsonandclover, value your Constitutional right to go out to your public park and preach the Word, pay very close attention to the transgressions the Bush/Cheney malAdministration are making against the Constitution. You won't hear about this on Fox News. Read some other papers, news sites, and shows.
I don't like what the street preachers in my city have to say, but I love the idea that they (and I) have the liberty to be street preachers. The poorest of the poor can stand on a city street corner and say whatever it is they like and no one can filter and censor them. That is a critical underpinning of democracy. So start paying attention to the dealings in Washington if you like street preachers.
2007-08-10 09:45:37 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
Petar Keseljevic does not seem to be a Norwegian name.
as you will note below 89% of the population is Christian so the reason for shutting him down must have been by law of the land.
The Church of Norway
The main religion in Norway is The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Norway, to which 89% of the population belongs to and which is the religion of the state. Church and state are not separated in Norway, but complete religious freedom is guaranteed. The remaining 11% of the population belong to Islam, the Roman-Catholic church, various Protestant denominations, other religions or are non-religious.
2007-08-10 11:48:03 · answer #3 · answered by troll to troll 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It all depends on how the courts would interpret the First Amendment on a particular case. If they see preaching as being part of the free exercise of religion and freedom of speech, then no. But if they find he is breaking some other law, or they decide that street preaching is not a plausable part of free exercise of religion, then yes.
Of course, my answer is based on US Constitution and, therefore, only applicable to the US. Can't speak for other countries as I do not know their laws.
2007-08-10 09:36:18 · answer #4 · answered by Simon Peter 5 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Would you sit quietly if a stranger walked off the street into your church on Sunday morning and interrupted the regular service to preach to everyone? No, you'd escort him out or have him arrested. No one interfered with this fellow when he preached on street corners one day, but the police did intervene with he returned the next day to resume his activities while a public parade was taking place. The group he was preaching to--using an amplifier, by the way--had gathered to watch the parade. He was denying them the right to enjoy the parade without having someone shouting in their ears.
http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=57088
One of the things I dislike about many zealous Christians is their tendency to omit relevant facts in order to paint a more sympathetic picture for themselves. It's shameful and dishonest.
The European Convention on Human Rights guarantees the right of free speech, but not without reasonable limitations that protect others from having their rights infringed upon. As a Humanist, I support free expression and the freedom to disseminate one's beliefs in a peaceful manner, but not anytime, anywhere. When I pay to see a movie, I don't want someone ruining it by standing up and sermonizing.
2007-08-10 09:40:37 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 1⤋
Regardless of his message, if he was disturbing the peace, he was breaking the law.
Yes, when a person of any faith preaches in public, and if their actions are disruptive to others, they should move on. In the case of people like Fred Phelps, who not only preach, but go beyond that to be insulting, intimidating, and downright rude, they should be arrested, taken to the country, and released.
2007-08-10 09:36:33 · answer #6 · answered by yarn whore 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
technically, considering after the 1st time they are already a million/2 lifeless, the 2nd a million/2 could easily be 1 / 4 of the preliminary aliveness. so they could be 3 quarters lifeless after the 2nd time being scared a million/2 to dying. that's an exponential decay ingredient.
2016-10-14 21:40:53 · answer #7 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This could never happen if we return to Constitutional government. Vote for Ron Paul. Throw our the Neo Cons who are undermining our Constitutional RIghts. Repeal the Patriot Act. Abolish the Dept of Homeland Security.
2007-08-10 10:16:08 · answer #8 · answered by iraqisax 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I think it could happen,, since the hate speech bill is a hot topic because if it is passed, preachers could be fine and arrested for preaching Gods word.. that it is against God's will to be Gay,, to me this is just another way for those who are sinning that don't want to hear the truth to shut it out,,,
2007-08-10 09:36:18 · answer #9 · answered by dolphinchic 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Well we don't really have the whole story there. I mean what was causing the problem? Was he preaching in the middle of the street and stopping traffic? Was he being very aggressive and accosting people? Was he naked?
2007-08-10 09:37:48 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
I have a definite calling to stand on the streets of my hometown and teach a sound biology lesson.
Oslo can make any manner of laws it chooses. They are not bound by our Constitution or social values.
2007-08-10 09:33:52 · answer #11 · answered by atheist 6 · 5⤊ 0⤋