PASTOR ACQUITTED OF HATE SPEECH BY SWEDEN'S HIGHEST COURT

By trying to codify tolerance, much nonsense occurs. The arrest of Christian ministers for preaching against sinful behavior stands in sharp contrast to the calls by Moslem clerics for the destruction of Israel and the use of violence which are "watched closely" until something happens.

BORGHOLM, SWEDEN (ANS) -- A precedent-setting verdict, upholding freedom of speech and religion, was issued on November 29 by the Swedish Supreme Court (SSC).

Lawyers Christian Fellowship says Green was initially convicted under Sweden's new hate crimes law, enacted in 2003, which makes illegal any expressions of "disrespect" or "incitement" "towards a group of people," including groups with "sexual inclinations."

The group says: "It was claimed by some that that he had referred to homosexuals in a disrespectful way, but Green explained to the courts that he was referring to homosexual acts, not persons, Green said at his Supreme Court hearing November 9."

Green commented: "I don't take back what I said. I still think we should be able to voice our convictions without ending up in jail and if that happens I will be showing how ridiculous things have got."

Andrea Minichiello Williams, Public Policy Officer for the Lawyers' Christian Fellowship (LCF), remarked: "This decision sets a precedent and it is a very significant victory for freedom of speech and freedom of religion."

With the Racial and Religious Hatred Bill in the UK at the Third Reading stage, the Lawyers' Christian Fellowship hopes "that the British government will take note of this decision and consider the importance of freedom of speech and religion, and the necessity for Christian ministers to express their Biblically-based religious beliefs."

The real story here is the high degree of anxiety anticipating the court's ruling. Political correctness is run amuck in Europe so the outcome was a surprise. Without the ability to preach against sin or even to call any activity sin would render the gospel ineffective. With the rise of the hedonist culture and a one sided definition of tolerance, the freedom of ministers to speak out looked to be in jeopardy.

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