Thursday, April 03, 2014

British Preacher Arrested for Reading Bible, Wins

John Craven was preaching in Great Manchester on a street when a pair of teenage boys approached him and asked his opinion on homosexual behavior.  Craven quoted the Bible privately to the two boys, who taunted him and kissed each other, then called police who arrested Craven and held him for 19 hours in jail with no food or water.  The 57-year-old man has now been awarded £13,000 for wrongful imprisonment.
"It appears that the actions of the police were calculated to give me and other street preachers the impression that we could not preach the gospel in public without breaking the law and if we did we would be arrested."
-- John Craven
For background, click headlines below to read previous articles:

Pastor Arrested in California for Reading Bible in Public

Jesus Talk Outlawed in New Orleans, Arrests Made

Arrests: Christian Beaten at Seattle Gay Event

American Preacher Arrested for Talking of Sexual Sin in Scotland

Canada: Pastor Found Guilty of Hate Crime

Supreme Court Rules Bible as 'Hate Speech' in Canada

Also read European Union High Court Rules Gay Agenda Trumps Christianity

-- From "Christian Street Preacher John Craven Receives £13,000 For Wrongful Arrest Over 'Anti-Gay' Comments" by Jessica Elgot, The Huffington Post UK 3/31/14

The Christian Institute, which funded the legal claim against the police said Craven had been directly asked what he thought of homosexuals by two gay teenagers, but had declined to give a view, and had instead "quoted from the Bible", telling them that God hated the sin, He loves the sinner.

The preacher was arrested under section 4A of the Public Order Act 1986, which criminalises the use of insulting words with the intention of causing harassment, alarm or distress.

The total cost for Greater Manchester Police, including both parties’ legal bills, will be over £50,000.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Christian preacher John Craven held 'without food or water'" posted at BBC News 3/31/14


Mr Craven, who has regularly preached in Manchester city centre for seven years, was approached by the boys while he was preaching about salvation.

Mr Craven brought legal action against the force alleging wrongful arrest, false imprisonment and a breach of his human rights.

[Police] Supt Alan Greene said the force could not "go into detail about the circumstances, [but] we can acknowledge that we did make mistakes and, in particular, kept the claimant in custody for too long".

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Preacher arrested for saying gay love is a sin gets £13,000" by UK Telegraph Reporter 3/31/14

[The boys] asked about [Craven's] views on homosexuality. He said he put down his microphone and told them that what he thought didn’t matter but what mattered was what God thought.

He then quoted the Bible stance that homosexuality was a sin but added that God “loves a sinner”.

Mr Craven was arrested after the youths told a police officer they had been insulted by his comments. In his witness statement, Mr Craven claimed that the policeman “grabbed” him “roughly by the arm” and said that he was under arrest.

The constable detained the preacher on suspicion of public order offences and led him away.

Greater Manchester Police said the detention on Sept 17, 2011, was “necessary for a prompt and effective investigation”.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Preacher arrested for quoting from the Bible is awarded £13,000: Held for 19 hours after gay teens said he upset them" by Jaya Narain, UK Daily Mail 3/31/14

Mr Craven, who is married, said: ‘Two young lads asked me what God thinks of homosexuals. I told them whilst God hates sin, he loves the sinner and that according to the word of God homosexuality is an abomination. That is not my opinion, it is the word of God.

‘I quoted them Revelation chapter 21, verse eight, “But for the cowardly, unbelieving, sinners, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their part is in the lake that burns with fire and sulphur, which is the second death”.

‘This made them upset and they started to do obscene gestures to me. They were trying to provoke me.’

[Craven] was fingerprinted, had to give a sample of his DNA and told he was being investigated for allegedly using insulting words with the intention of causing harassment, alarm or distress – which could have led to a six-month jail sentence.

Two days later, however, police told him there would be no charges and no further action.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

Also read Gay Agenda will be Complete when Christians are Muzzled, Say Homosexualists as well as Senator Ted Cruz Says the Gay Agenda Ends Christian Liberty

In addition, read American Decline: President Obama's Gay Agenda vs. Christians