Fears raised about freedom of expression as prosecutors say ​​​​​​​it is ‘no longer appropriate’ to quote parts of the Bible in public​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Evangelical activist David Smyth and barrister Gavin Millar were reacting to a little-noticed statement from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), made during a recent attempt to prosecute a street preacher.

Meanwhile, there has been no response at all from the major churches to the news, either in England or Northern Ireland (see below).

– HOW IT ALL BEGAN –

The story all stems from a confrontation between a man called John Dunn, a soldier-turned-evangelist, and two lesbians.

It took place on the streets of Swindon two years ago.

Mr Dunn was charged with using "threatening or abusive words or behaviour, or disorderly behaviour within the hearing or sight of a person likely to be caused harassment, alarm or distress thereby".

It was alleged he shouted that the women would "burn in hell" and called one of them a "devil woman".

Mr Dunn denied this, though his lawyers at the Christian Legal Centre said he acknowledged telling them: “It says in the Bible that homosexuals will not inherit the kingdom of God”.

According to Mr Dunn's lawyers, the case against him was discontinued during this week because the complainants could not be reached.

While pressing their case against him though, the CPS presented the following argument, in writing, to the defence:

"Whether a statement of Christian belief or not, the court is being asked to consider whether the language has the potential to cause harassment, alarm or distress.

"This document is not the forum for religious debate, but the bible contains other material recognising slavery (Exodus 21:7), the death sentence (Exodus 35:2 and Leviticus 24:16) and cannibalism (Deuteronomy 28:27).

"There are references in the bible which are simply no longer appropriate in modern society and which would be deemed offensive if stated in public."

(News Letter’s emphasis)

The lobby group Christian Concern, which works in tandem with the Christian Legal Centre, issued statements about this case to the press in the past week, but there has been virtually no media coverage of it, despite its potentially far-reaching implications.

– CPS OVERSTEPPING ITS ROLE, SAYS EVANGELIST –

Whilst the CPS handles prosecutions only for England and Wales, the arguments it advances and precedents it sets could be influential in other jurisdictions too.

David Smyth, head of the Evangelical Alliance in NI, said: "The CPS holds a really important role in the public life and administration of criminal justice in England and Wales.

"However it is not their role to govern what is ‘appropriate’ or ‘offensive’.

"These comments are unwise and concerning, revealing a lack of understanding and faith literacy.

"We hope and pray that this does not result in a chilling effect on Christians sharing the Bible and their faith in public."

– VIEW FROM CHAMBERS –

Meanwhile Gavin Millar KC, a barrister at Matrix Chambers in central London who practices in Northern Ireland and specialises in freedom of speech law, told the News Letter: