Street Preacher Wins $21,600 Settlement for Speaking against Homosexuality

Hilary White : Apr 2, 2014
LifeSiteNews.com

The preacher was following a centuries-old tradition of British street evangelism, but the activity, which is a common sight in many northern towns and cities, is becoming suppressed by recently passed equalities legislation.

(Manchester, UK)—The spate of Christian preachers being arrested for repeating the Biblical prohibitions against homosexual activity may be coming to an end with the awarding of £13,000 [about $26,000] in damages to 57 year-old street preacher John Craven of Manchester. (Photo via LifeSiteNews.com)

In September 2011, Mr. Craven was held by police in a cell for 19 hours after he was arrested by Greater Manchester Police for saying in a public area that homosexual activity is a sin.

The compensation is an out-of-court settlement for "wrongful arrest, false imprisonment and breach of his human rights." In total, the Manchester Police will have to pay £50,000, including legal fees.

Craven released a statement saying he had "never intended to cause anyone harassment, alarm or distress" with his preaching. He said his Bible-based Christian message means "good news and the love of God for all." Craven said that in his preaching, he emphasized that while God hates sin, He "loves the sinner."

"The actions of the police have left me feeling nervous and anxious. I found the whole episode extremely distressing," he said. He added that he thought they "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." (Photo via Daily Mail)

Mr. Craven was arrested when two teenaged boys complained about his preaching to local police. The two boys started by kissing and engaging in suggestive movements in front of him while he was preaching, and then demanded to know what the Bible said about homosexuality. After Craven told them, they complained to police.

Craven said that while he was in custody, he was not given food or water for 15 hours while he was detained and was denied access to his arthritis medication.

Colin Hart, the head of the Christian Institute, said, "Nobody should face 19 hours in custody for simply answering a question about their beliefs." He said the way Mr. Craven was treated was "disgraceful" and "fell well below what the public deserve."

"In terms of the infringement of religious liberty, it was one of the worst cases we have ever dealt with."