ENGLAND
GEARS UP FOR OPPRESSION OF CHRISTIANSUK CHRISTIAN LAWYERS CALL MEETING OVER CONCERNS FOR RELIGIOUS HATRED LAW
AUSTRALIAN PASTORS & ISLAM
Saturday, October 25, 2003
AUSTRALIAN PASTORS MAY FACE PRISON FOR PREACHING
Christians accused of attacking Islam
By Stefan J. Bos
Special Correspondent, ASSIST News Service
SIDNEY, AUSTRALIA (ANS) -- The Voice
of the Martyrs (VOM) has urged Christians around the world to pray for two
pastors in Australia (Danny Nalliah and Daniel Scot) who could face a six month
prison term and unlimited fines for allegedly inciting hatred towards Muslims,
an official said. The case is being held at the Civil and Administrative
Tribunal of Victoria state.
A request by lawyers for a two week adjournment of the case (because of
additional Muslim complaints) was reportedly rejected by the court.
In a statement seen by ASSIST News Service on Saturday, Oct. 25, VOM Spokesman
Todd Nettleton said that the Islamic Council of Victoria has broadened its
complaint to add not just the speakers and lecturers at a seminar about Islam
but the entire meeting.
COURT CASE
Court hearings are scheduled to resume the first week of November.
The Islamic Council started the court case saying that the Christian ministry
Catch the Fire of pastors Nalliah and Scot "vilified Muslims" at a
seminar on jihad on March 9, 2002, a violation of Victoria's "Racial and
Religious Toleration Act."
Nalliah and Scot, a native of Pakistan, were reportedly lecturing on the
differences between Christianity and Islam, and quoted information about Islam
directly from the Koran and other recognized Islamic sources.
LIMITED DEFENSE
VOM expressed concern that the two men will not be allowed to argue during their
defense whether or not their statements were true, but only on whether or not
they incited "hatred against, serious contempt for, or revulsion or severe
ridicule" of Muslims.
"This case is a wake-up call for Western Christians," said VOM
spokesman Nettleton. "These men are not on trial for telling lies. They are
on trial--in what we would call a free nation--for telling the truth."
THERE IS NOT ONE CHRISTIAN NATION ON EARTH WHERE MUSLIMS ARE PERSECUTED.
Yet in most nations where the majority of the population are Muslims, there is systematic
government persecution of Christians.
"Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance."
--Article 18 of the Universal
Declaration of
Human
Rights--
Christian Conversions - According to the Bible - Can NEVER be forced.
Any Conversion to Christianity which would be "Forced" would NOT be recognized by God. It is in
His True and KIND nature, that those who come to Him and choose to believe in Him, must come to Him OF
THEIR OWN FREE WILL.
Don't Let anyone tell you that Christians support Forced Conversions.
That is False. True Christianity is NEVER forced.
Core Universal Rights
The right to believe, to worship and witness
The right to change one's belief or religion
The right to join together and express one's belief
Australia News Section