A Christian pastor fought a legal battle in the UK after police stopped him from discussing other religions during his street sermons.
The police admitted their mistake and settled with Dia Moodley. He was represented by ADF International and the Free Speech Union. They argued the ban violated his rights under the European Convention on Human Rights.
Moodley, a Bristol pastor, preaches in a Q&A format, often discussing various beliefs. "There would be a signboard that said 'Stop and ask any question,'" he shared.
He emphasized respectful dialogue, even when debates grow heated. His team had strategies to calm any disruptions during their public sessions.
Moodley noted challenges, including accusations of Islamophobia. His intent was to foster open conversation, not conflict.
UK laws limiting free speech have tightened, affecting public discussions. Lorcan Price of ADF International sees this as a growing issue, especially for Christians.
"Over the last number of years, increasingly restrictive laws have been passed, introducing a new public order act that seeks to restrict even more the right to speak freely on controversial matters in the public square," Lorcan Price, legal counsel for ADF International told Fox News. "I'm afraid we're going to see more of it in the future, because the underlying problem of this instinct towards censorship, particularly of Christians, is still there in police forces, it's still there in government ministries."
Moodley once sought police cooperation for his sermons, which led to monitoring and eventually a restrictive warning. "I was greatly disturbed and saddened," he remarked.
He questions why debating atheism or evolution is off-limits. Moodley, a South African immigrant, stands for free speech and religious expression.
Following his legal victory, Moodley remains committed to his street preaching. Despite threats, he plans to continue.
Price highlights a broader trend of legal actions against Christians in the UK for their public expressions. This raises concerns about freedom of speech and religion.
UK laws and European human rights frameworks don't offer the same speech protections as the US. Price warns of a systemic move towards censorship, especially targeting Christian viewpoints.
