"God Save the Queen"
Sunday, March 21, 2010 at 7:31PM | by Katy It's hard to believe that a nation whose anthem proclaims this:
O Lord, our God, arise,
Scatter her enemies,
And make them fall.
Confound their politics,
Frustrate their knavish tricks,
On Thee our hopes we fix,
God save us all.
...has arrested and convicted a Christian man for preaching the Word of God in the streets of Glasgow, Scotland.
According to Shawn Holes' website, he was arrested on March 18 for preaching against homosexuality in the streets of Glasgow. Here is a brief account from a fellow preacher who was there with him on Thursday:
We were preaching today on the streets and experiencing much adversity from police. We were warned not to preach against homosexuality, and if we did we could get arrested. Brother Shawn Holes was preaching when a group of young people began to shout questions at him. One question that they insisted on getting an answer was the issue of homosexuality. Shawn told them it was a sin against God, and that he loved them, and this is why he was telling them the truth. After he stepped down from preaching he was arrested and taken into custody. (Read the full account here.)
According to his website, Mr. Holes was given two options: 1) plead guilty of "some really trumped up charges and possibly pay a small fine of hopefully only 50 pounds or so and go home by Monday" or 2) plead guilty to the charges and "have to spend up to 8 weeks waiting for the trial NOT being allowed to leave the country with no guarentee of winning the case."
Shawn chose option one.
Believe it or not, there is much controversy amongst Christians both in Glasgow and in the States about whether or not this husband and father of two made the right decision. His blog post announcing his release from jail has to date spurred 81 responses - some encouraging Mr. Holes, some reprimanding him, and some downright criticizing him for his decision to plead guilty. Without proper facts to form my own opinion (since this is sadly not a newsworthy story in the UK), I choose not to cast judgement on this brother in Christ. I believe it is more beneficial to consider how in a DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY a Christian can go to jail for simply reading God's word cautioning against the sin of homosexuality (1 Corinthians 6:9-10 is exceedingly clear).
Though this is admittedly not the norm, I have personally witnessed women walking down the streets of Britain wearing absolutely nothing from the waist down (with the police only feet away). I've seen protesters in London practicing violence in the streets. I've seen drunkards throwing bottles and disturbing the peace. I've seen drunken children whose parents have allowed - if not encouraged - their excesses (children are allowed alochol "in private" from age 5). Brian and I live in a nation that not only allows abortion, it funds it! And, yet, a Christian man is jailed for reading directly from God's word.
According to various sources (again, I can find NO actual news coverage of this story), Shawn Holes was charged with "homophobia," “breach of the peace,” and "sectarianism." This FOR PREACHING FROM THE WORD OF GOD in a nation that still echoes, "God Save the Queen." Indeed. And God save Britain!
Brian
I'm glad to see that there is so much interest in this story.
We are all a little baffled about why we can't find good information about this story. I did a search on an educational website I'm able to use for a legal class I'm taking. I was able to come up with a little something. The Scottish Daily Record from 24 March 2010 (on page 9) states:
PASTOR A SINNER
AN AMERICAN churchman missed being the first person to be convicted under the new laws by days.
Travelling preacher Shawn Holes was arrested last week in Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow, after shouting "homosexuality is a sin against Jesus".
He was charged with breach of the peace aggravated by religious prejudice.
Holes was fined pounds 1000 at the city's sheriff court - but his sentence could have been tougher.Copyright 2010 Scottish Daily Record & Sunday Mail Ltd.
Of course, when we looked at their website, we were unable to find anything. If I wasn't up to my ears in school, work, and helping my wife through her last month of pregnancy, I'd probably try to do a bit more research. It seems that none of us know enough about this particular instance to have a convincing opinion.
It does raise one concern from me though. I can see that many people are making every effort to be tolerant of everything and everyone, regardless of how sinful it is, unless of course, someone is being "intolerant." The article does state that Shawn Holes is a sinner. Newsflash: we all are. How about another newsflash: being intolerant of sin is far from being sinful. God is intolerant of sin, and I long to be more like that.
Christianity, Daily Life, English culture
Reader Comments (10)
I don't know what to make of this. I'm from England and I can trace no reports of it on any news website whatsoever, including the BBC. The only results google brings up are from US blogs. I'm sure it would merit coverage over here. Furthermore, a £1000 fine seems a bit excessive. I'm sorry to be sceptical, but I currently have major doubts as to whether this story is true or not.
Thanks for reading and for your comment, Englishman! Like you, I was very surprised not to find any trace of this case on the BBC or other news outlets throughout Scotland or the rest of the UK. Indeed, it DOES merit coverage!
I did my best to do some "digging" today to find out whether or not this man actually appeared in court in Glasgow, and I hit a brick wall. I guess they're not really comfortable disclosing that kind of information over the phone to a girl with an American accent. Imagine that. :-)
As for the truthfulness of the story, I can only say that it seems more unlikely to me that Mr. Holes (and the rest of his colleagues whose pictures from the UK are now all over his website) would have made up such a scenario. However, regardless of the truthfulness of this particular story, the laws in Scotland regarding "Hate Speech” remain the same. I'm no law expert, but it appears that inciting hateful speech and reading directly from God's word could be considered the same thing in the UK if given to the proper authorities. THAT is what concerns me most - not whether this individual's story is 100% accurate according to his blog.
Thanks again for the comment!
You may not be a legal expert, but it certainly hasn't prevented you from commenting on Scot's law.
Reading from "God's word" can be unacceptable if it is done in a particular manner. I have seen all sorts of street preachers. None were bothered by the police, but I did see one man who went way beyond what is acceptable. He went up to a young woman on Princes Street in Edinburgh and told her that she 'dressed like a whore'. That is simply not permissible. Unfortunately for him, The girl was no shrinking violet. She gave it back in full measure. The police were never involved.
There is no consensus on what makes a person a good Christian, but the law would certainly find no issue with someone who is simply preaching,
Like your other contributor, I also was unable to find anything, anywhere that related to Shawn Holes arrest-accept for blogs, that is.
All the best'
Brian
"Reading from 'God's word' can be unacceptable if it is done in a particular manner."
This is what frightens me. This is why I posted this blog. This is what I believe has turned Britain (and America as well) into the God-dishonoring culture it is. This man wasn't inciting the crowd to go harm homosexuals! He simply stated that homosexuality is a sin. So is murder. So is adultery. So is anger, and lust, and greed...
I'm afraid our cultures (UK and US) are so politically correct and as my husband said "tolerant" that we've paralyzed ourselves! Here's a perfectly good example of what I mean. It's not a religious article, but it does show the kind of thinking that I find absolutely unbelievable:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/7079231/Advert-for-reliable-workers-banned-as-discrimination-by-Jobcentre-Plus.html
This article cracks me up so much I may just have to write a whole entry about it.
Thanks to everyone for your comments! I feel the more we can discuss in a civilized way, the more we can start to better understand one another. God bless!
Hi there Katy and all the other commentators on this post.
I am the memeber of the team that preached here (so i can testify that the story like this wouldnt be made up). Although I am not from the US, i am from glasgow.
The story is now getting reported with the scottish daily mail on the 27th march posting it on the front page and then of the 5th page again. although there is no such thing on their website.
according to the police officers that day, we were fine to preach until they recieved a complaint and then we could be arrested.
There is one of the newpapers.
http://scotlandonsunday.scotsman.com/scotland/Preacher-is-fined-for-homophobia.6186156.jp
God bless you all.
Brother in Christ.
Noman,
Thank you so much for your post! First of all, I appreciate your validation of this story. I heard it from our pastor last Sunday morning, and we prayed for Shawn and your team. Also, thank you so much for what you do there in Glasgow. The world could use more bold, gospel-proclaiming Christians like you and your team. I just hope this situation hasn't made it more difficult for you to preach God's word out in the open. I'd be interested to have you post a follow-up at some point to let us know how the courts intend to handle further situations like this. We don't seem to hear much about it in other places outside of Glasgow.
Thanks again for your response, your work there in Glasgow, and may God alone receive all the Glory!
You are most welcome Katy, thank you for your prayers, please thank your church on our behalf.
It is an honor for us to declare and proclaim God's word to a lost nation.
Just now with the new hate crime law coming in, it has caused some confusion as to what we're allowed to do and what not. We are still seeking some guidance over that.
Brain with all due respect, another one of our team member was warned earlier on the day of brother Shawn's arrest not to qoute out of the Bible, because someone had complained that they were offened because we had answered a someone and said homosexuality was an abomination
(levicticus 18:22 Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.), we were then told by the police that if they get complaint, we could be arrested. We then went to the duty officer to ask what the law was and were told it was fine to quote out of the bible, and answer questions if directly asked.
As it turned out when brother Shawn Holes was preaching, he was asked about homosexuality (as we always are) and he was arrested after he got off the ladder for directly asking someone's question.
God is most definitely stirring up something is glasgow, newpapers have covered it and were unbaised, when we didnt expect them to, speciality since it was to do with a hot topic just now.
Katy i will surely keep you posted about this. If there is any way of sending you a picture of the newspaper story, me posting the picture over this or emailing it to you i would be glad to do that aswel.
ALL glory to the King of kings and the Lord of lords.
Jesus Christ.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1262310/Gay-rights-campaigner-condemns-1-000-fine-preacher-said-homosexuality-sin.html
The validation of the story with a picture
You quote I Corinthians as your basis for believing homosexuality is a sin, but according to I Corinthians 11:6, you are living in sin:
"So if a woman does not cover her head, she should cut off her hair. If it is a disgrace for a woman to cut off her hair or shave her head, let her cover her own head."
Also, you're probably not following I Corinthians 14:34-35 either:
"Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law. And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church."
Why are you picking and choosing which Bible verses to honor?
Dear Anonymous,
Thank you for your post. First of all, I am no Biblical scholar, but I will address your concerns to the best of my ability...and I do so very prayerfully.
You are absolutely right. I am a sinner. A sinner greatly in need of a Savior. Fortunately, Jesus Christ died for my sins, and I am free from the bondage of them!
And because Jesus died for our sins, there are certain rituals and laws mentioned in the Bible that no longer apply to those of us living in this "New Covenant" created in Christ. One of those "outward signs" is for a woman to cover her head. Likewise, sacrifices are no longer used since Jesus was and is the ultimate sacrifice. There are plenty of examples of laws and rituals that passed away once Christ died on the cross. Thank goodness for that!
However, homosexuality is and has always been considered a sin according to the Word of God. Jesus' death on the cross did not change the fact that homosexuality goes against God's design for us. He created us male and female and desires for us to live according to his will.
You said that I'm "probably not following 1 Corinthians 14:34-35," and I must say that I do my best to understand and follow every part of God's word...including the verses that seem difficult to understand. There are several different interpretations of the particular verse you chose. Plucked out of context it seems that no woman in the history of mankind is permitted to speak a word in church. I don't believe that is what Paul intended. It is perhaps the case that Paul may have been addressing a particular problem at the church in Corinth (remember, this book of the Bible is a letter from Paul to that church). It could have also related to a specific function within the church - such as evaluating a prophesy. Unfortunately, that is not made 100% clear to us. So, my suggestion is to let scripture interpret scripture. Plucking verses out of context makes it very difficult to grasp God's desire for his people.
Regardless, I believe that women have plenty of a role to play within the church - so long as they do not exercise authority over a man (1 Timothy 2:12).
Here's a great link on Biblical manhood and womanhood within the church:
http://www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/sermons/manhood-womanhood-and-the-freedom-to-minister
I hope this information makes it more clear and that God will open your eyes to the truth! There is incredible freedom and joy that comes from living according to his Word!!!