Christian Concern.

In an extraordinary judgment, Taunton street preacher Mike Overd
has been convicted of a Public Order offence for using the wrong
Bible verse in a public conversation with a man who identifies as
homosexual.
However, Mike was acquitted
of two other Public Order charges relating to the critique of Muhammed.

District Judge Shamim Ahmed Qureshi said that Mike shouldn't have referred

to Leviticus 20:13 to make his point about homosexual practice but indicated
that he could have used Leviticus 18:22.

The Judge said that Leviticus 20:13 was inappropriate because it mentions
the death penalty, although Mike didn't even use this part of the verse.
“I am being punished for words that never passed my lips,” he said.

"The Judge is effectively censoring the Bible and deciding which parts
are acceptable to use in different situations. Today it’s preaching on the
streets that’s threatened. Tomorrow it could be the pulpit," Andrea Williams
explained.

Mike has been ordered to pay compensation for causing “emotional pain” to
the man, even though it was the man who approached Mike aggressively.

'Love for Christ'

Mike commented: “I have been ordered to pay compensation for causing
'emotional pain' to someone who approached me aggressively
demanding to debate the issue. There was no harm, injury or theft,
just a simple disagreement over theology which I have now been fined for.

“My motivation for preaching the gospel is my love for Jesus Christ
and my deep concern for people who do not know His great love and
are heading towards an eternity separated from God.”

'Flimsy evidence'

A number of the witnesses interviewed in connection with Mike's
case said they couldn't remember what was said or when it was
said. One of them said that he was “unable to recall exactly what
phrases he was using, but it was clear to me that it was homophobic.”

Even though the evidence was so flimsy, Mike has to pay a fine of
£200 and a total of £1,200 in costs and compensation.

'Offensive'

Mike has already faced significant injustice and opposition.
In a Somerset newspaper, police accused him of “being hostile”
and asked people to record him if they felt he was making “offensive remarks”.
Despite this, no substantial evidence has ever been produced.

Please help us to support Mike and others

We’ve given Mike legal support without charge. Please support us
so that we can keep doing the same for others who love Christ
and love people.

Thank you for standing with us as we continue to defend
gospel freedoms.

Give now to help us as we continue protecting gospel freedoms