In a case against a street preacher charged for speech condemning homosexuality, a government prosecutor in England argued certain Bible passages "are simply no longer appropriate in modern society." John Dunn was charged with violating the Public Order Act by engaging in "threatening," "abusive" and "insulting" speech when he told a lesbian couple that homosexuals will not "inherit the kingdom of heaven," citing the Bible, the Daily Signal reported. A prosecutor with the Crown Prosecution Service, the office of government prosecutors for England and Wales, wrote in a document sent to the defense before the trial that "there are references in the bible [sic] which are simply no longer appropriate in modern society and which would be offensive if stated in public." I wonder if it wouldn't be wise for preachers/teachers/pastors/saints - considering the days we are living in - to make available printed scripture material containing fitting passages with a heading something like, "Read and Decide for Yourselves," to avoid charges of “threatening,” “abusive” and “insulting” speech? Just say'n.....or to have a stand with pamphlet topics deemed controversial, where they are not being handed out, but people would select the topics on their own volition, to take and read. If they can profess that much of scripture is not appropriate for today, it can also be argued that speech priming children toward porn is “threatening, abusive and insulting” and is Never Ok! But alas! Reasoning has left the building where all encroaching evil is concerned anymore. I agree. I think the Gospel can still be delivered without getting into trouble for hate speech. People need to know that God loves them. I think that is a more potent message. We fight not with flesh and blood, but with powers and principalities! The human involvement are simply tools for demons! Knowing this will allow for more effective prayer! What once was called mental health issues was a cover for the demonic! TR I agree there is a way to approach them and its NOT in condemnation but in a loving caring way. Back in 2014 - 2015 I was witnessing to one gay sales clerk at a Sears dept store. I bought a watch and he was ringing it up and I felt compelled to witness to him. It wasn’t busy so I had the time to talk to him. I told him Jesus loves him and he said oh but you don’t know what I’ve done … I said it doesn’t matter … Jesus died on the cross for ALL of our sins. He mentioned his family won’t talk to him and the church shunned him as well. I said good news being a member of a church doesn’t get you into heaven. But having a personal relationship with Jesus does! He will make you His child if you confess your sins to Him and not to some priest (who is nothing but a sinful person) and ask Jesus to be your personal Savior. If you do this you will be in the family of God and He will have a home for you in heaven. He smiled and was happy with the Good News and accepted the Bible Tract. The way I see it … after a person gets saved then the Holy Spirit will do the job of convicting them to change their wayward lifestyle habits. I used the same approach with another gay worker at a Dollar store and it was successful … so I know this approach works. In keeping with what Geri said, the band Casting Crowns sings this line in one of their songs “God has got to change her heart before He changes her shirt”. Amen Geri!!! That ole saying "we catch them, and the Lord will clean them" is absolutely true. The Spirit speaks truth to our hearts daily. We are more effective showing others how we are the same, all sinners, and not focusing directly at their specific sin. When someone is angry, argumentative or trying to attack our beliefs just for the sake of ridicule, that is the time to wish them well, turn around and wipe the dust off our feet. Those folks are not interested in a savior at that point and arguing or telling people they are going to hell is not going to help. There are a very some scripture says that we can lead to salvation out of fear, but those are so few and they still have to be interested in eternity to be able to witness to them. A number of years ago while going to the post office a young woman approached me and asked me if I was saved. I told her I had been a Christian since I was eight years old. She asked me which church I attended and I told her. She then informed me that I was going to hell because I did not attend her church. I asked her if the Apostle Paul was in hell since he did not attend her church. As a seasoned Christian I found this to be very offensive so I can only imagine how put off the unsaved are at some of the tactics used against them. If we do not show that we care about them, they will never open their ears to hear anything else we say. Being fishers of men, I like that we catch them, God cleans them! TR
