Evangelical Christian Stephen Green has been arrested in Cardiff, Wales, after handing out leaflets quoting the Bible at a homosexual event.  Police acknowledge that Mr Green was not violent or personally abusive; the sole reason for the arrest was his use of Old Testament verses condemning homosexual activity.

A police force was caught up in a freedom of speech row after its officers arrested an anti-gay campaigner for handing out leaflets at a homosexual rally.
. . .
Mr Green faces a court appearance today charged with using 'threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour' after his attempt to distribute the leaflets at the weekend 'Mardi Gras' event in Cardiff.

A spokesman for the police said the campaigner had not behaved in a violent or aggressive manner, but that officers arrested him because 'the leaflet contained Biblical quotes about homosexuality'.

This is the latest in a series of British police actions against persons publicly critical of homosexual behaviour.

Christian groups in the UK have vigourously protested the arrest.  So have non-Christians who disagree with Mr Green’s views but are troubled by such a blatant threat to freedom of speech and freedom of expression.

A representative of the evangelical Anglican group Reform, while questioning Mr Green’s tactics, points out the obvious problems.

The Reverend Rod Thomas, a Plymouth vicar and spokesman for the influential Reform organisation that represents 500 Church of England clergy, said: 'The methods of Christian Voice do not always commend themselves to other Christians.

'But if there was nothing involved here other than the content of the leaflets, the arrest represents an onslaught on freedom of speech and on freedom of religious expression.

'Why gay rights are regarded as more important that freedom of expression I do not know. There is a real danger that those who have tried to support gay rights for liberal reasons may find themselves responsible for suppressing vital liberties.'

Exactly so.  Will British police please tell us why they regard gay rights as more important than freedom of expression.

h/t: Pearcey Report

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