Bluelion, would you clarify for me where it says, to quote your title, that the church was charged with hate speech.
As far as I can see that is most certainly not the case. The police investigated the complaint. Police procedures are required, by law, to place any complaint into a category. This fitted the category of hate speech.
Placing it in that category is not the same as saying it was hate speech. That would be a matter for a court to decide, not the police.
Your suggestion that the church was charged over this is also grossly misleading. I shall assume that was due to a misinterpretation on your part.
The minister of the church removed the poster because, apparently, he recognised that it could be - and indeed had been - misinterpreted and did not wish to cause any more disruption/disagreement in the local community.
Frankly, I think the young man who complained, while entitled to make his point, was being a bit of a provocative prat. I would have left the poster up to be laughed at.
ok I will post the article from original source. It was investigate as a hate incident and he was order to take it down, he did not volunteer to take it down..
A baptist church was at the centre of a police probe after a sign which suggested non-Christians would 'burn in hell' was investigated as a 'hate incident'.
The offending sign at Attleborough Baptist Church in Norfolk, pictured burning flames below words which read: 'If you think there is no God you better be right!!'.
Now the
church has been forced to remove the sign after a passer-by complained to police that it could 'not be further' from the Christian phrase, love thy neighbour.
Robert Gladwin, 20, said: 'It is my basic understanding that Christianity is inclusive and loving in nature.
'The message being displayed outside of the church could not be further from the often uttered phrase love thy neighbour.'
Mr Gladwin said he was 'astounded' when he spotted the poster by chance as he was walking home.
He said: 'I was just astounded really. We live in the 21st century and they have put that message - that non-Christians will burn in hell - up to try and scare people into joining their mentality.'
The strongly-worded sign - which was put up next to a notice board which promises that visitors 'can always be sure of a very warm welcome' - was taken down by Pastor John Rose, 69, after police launched an investigation into the complaint.
Mr Rose said he 'regretted' how the poster could have been interpreted.
He said: 'Attleborough Baptist Church offers a variety of ways in which people are able to engage with the Christian message.
'Jesus encourages us to love God and to love our neighbour and we therefore regret that the poster has been seen as inciting hatred.
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'Indeed, we want to assure all members of our local community that they would be made to feel very welcome at any of the church's activities.'
Mr Rose said he changed the posters on his notice board every two weeks.
The poster has now been replaced by another one with the message : 'God loves you!' and a picture of a meerkat and a speech bubble saying: 'Simples'.
Robert Gladwin, 20, complained to police about the poster after saying it suggesting non-Christians would 'burn in hell'. He said the poster 'could not be further away from the often utter phrase 'love thy neighbour'
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Robert Gladwin, 20, complained to police about the poster after saying it suggested non-Christians would 'burn in hell'. He said the poster 'could not be further away from the often uttered phrase 'love thy neighbour'
But despite the sign now being removed, it has still caused controversy in the church's local area.
Chris Copsey, from Norfolk Humanists, branded the sign 'pernicious nonsense'.
He said: 'I believe the people of Attleborough have more common sense than to give this sign any credence.'
Terry Sanderson, president of the National Secular Society, also defended the church and said police involvement was the equivalent of 'banning the Bible'.
He said: 'Personally I dont find it offensive. But we did fight a long battle of freedom of speech together with Christian groups because we believe that freedom of speech is essential to a functioning society.
The church has now taken down the poster after being spoken to by police
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The church has now taken down the poster after being spoken to by police
'If you dont give free speech to everybody then it isnt free speech and as long as they arent inciting violence then I think it is acceptable to say whatever you want to say.'
But the Reverand Simon Ward, of the Diocese of Norwich, said: 'I guess they are trying to open a conversation and cause people to think.
'However, I think there are more positive conversations that you could have and more positive reasons for coming to church.'
A Norfolk police spokesman said: 'Norfolk Constabulary received a report regarding a poster outside a church in Attleborough which was deemed offensive by the complainant.
'National guidance required us to investigate the circumstances and the matter
has been recorded as a hate incident.
'Having spoken to the pastor of the church, it has been agreed the poster will be taken down.'
The controversy has echoes of a freedom of speech debate sparked in January 2009, after the British Humanist Association launched an anti-religion advertising campaign on London buses.
The campaign was made up of posters disputing the existence of god, which read: 'Theres probably no god. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life.'
The campaign was originally intended for buses in London, but the appeal spread across the country because it became so popular.
Read more:
Police launch probe into church sign that suggested non-Christians will burn in hell after ONE person complained | Mail Online
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so now i ask you did I say something untrue. i wish people would check facts.