A police force in the U.K. has admitted that their attempt to limit the free speech of a street preacher was “disproportionate” and are being forced to pay a settlement to the pastor.Â
Dia Moodley, a Bristol-based pastor and evangelist, was given a “Community Protection” notice by the Avon and Somerset Police Force to stop him from “passing comments on any other religion or comparing them to Christianity” and “passing comments on beliefs held by Atheists or those who believe in evolution,” Alliance Defending Freedom UK reports.
***Please sign up for CBN Newsletters and download the CBN News app to ensure you keep receiving the latest news from a distinctly Christian perspective.***
The non-profit legal group, along with the Free Speech Union, represented Moodley who claimed law enforcement’s actions breached his free speech.Â
“It isn’t for the police to decide which religions or worldviews can be free from criticism. When I preach, I am committed to speaking about the good news of Christianity in love, grace, and truth – but that doesn’t mean that I will never say something that others may disagree with. The nature of a free and democratic society is that we can speak publicly about our beliefs,” Moodley said.Â
According to
The remainder of this article is available in its entirety at CBN