More on anti-vilification and Christians
In various parts of the world, it is becoming more and more difficult to preach the gospel in a way that highlights the differences with other religions. In Victoria, Australia, two pastors have recently been ordered by a court to apologise for explaining what Muslims believe, using the Koran as a basis for doing so. One of the pastors has refused to apologise, saying he would rather risk jail. You can read the story from the pastors' viewpoint.
This letter to the editor of the Melbourne Age made it in earlier this week.
Dear editor,
The anti-religious vilification legislation is an appalling imposition on freedom of speech, and has had the exact opposite effect to the one intended—it has discouraged thoughtful discussion and exacerbated religious disharmony. If I were in Danny Nalliah's position, I would do exactly as he has done and risk the consequences of jail.
Yours sincerely,
The Rev. Gordon Cheng