Category: Catch The Fire

One of two Christian pastors found guilty of vilifying Muslims has vowed to go to prison rather than apologise. The Islamic Council of Victoria want the offending pastors to acknowledge a finding that their comments incited hatred and severe ridicule of Muslims. In Context Christian Pastors taken to court to silence criticism of Islam Hate case judge assures Americans no one is going to prison When legal absurdity is watched world-wide Christian Pastors Found Guilty of Vilifying Islam Verdict in ‘Vilifying Islam’ Case Exposes Christian Fault Lines Hatred law needs overhaul: churches Research resources on Islam But the pastors’ ministry,

Worried about curbs on free speech, religious leaders will push Premier Steve Bracks for change. Victoria’s church leaders will tell Premier Steve Bracks it is time to change the controversial religious hatred law. All agree it is unsatisfactory, but they differ on what needs changing. The leaders of the main denominations discussed the Racial and Religious Tolerance Act last week, and were due to meet Mr Bracks today. But the meeting was postponed until next week because of today’s funeral of former governor Davis McCaughey. Anglican Archbishop Peter Watson has said the church did not look closely enough at the

Pacific Rim Bureau (CNSNews.com) – Christians in Australia are pondering the implications of an explosive ruling handed down Friday by a legal tribunal, which found that two Christian pastors had vilified Islam. Immediate reactions ranged from an evangelical commentator’s view that the decision spelled “the beginning of the end of freedom of speech in Australia” to that of a liberal church denomination which said it sent a welcome message to “Christian extremist groups.” One of the pastors at the center of the dispute said he was saddened by the outcome, but he predicted it would galvanize Christians and other Australians

A religious vilification case has embarrassed the plaintiffs and shown the stupidity of the law, says PIERS AKERMAN. In a case being closely followed around the world, the Victorian Government has effectively placed Islam on trial under its controversial Racial and Religious Tolerance Act 2001. It didn’t mean to, of course. The legislation was intended to shield religions — particularly Islam — from scrutiny and was championed by the Islamic Council of Victoria and other Muslim organisations before being passed by the Bracks Government in mid-2001. Indeed, the current matter was the first brought under the flawed legislation when it