#892 for broadcast on 2CH Sydney, 18 May 2014.
A seasoned Manchester street preacher named John Craven was recently arrested and held for 19 hours in a police cell after reading a verse from the Bible to two gay British teens.
The two teens approached Mr Craven and asked what he thought of homosexuals. Mr Craven replied that God loves the sinner but hates the sin and, according to the teaching of the Bible, “homosexuality is an abomination.”
After he quoted Bible verses to support his view, the teenagers complained to police and he was arrested under the UK Public Order Act, similar to an Australian law the Abbott Government is seeking to repeal.
Mr Craven later sued the Manchester Police for false imprisonment and breach of his human rights, and was awarded £13,000 in compensation.
Christian Institute Director Colin Hart said, “Nobody should face 19 hours in custody for simply answering a question about their beliefs.”
I’m Rod Benson for the NSW Council of Churches.
NSW Council of Churches 
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