Preacher Charged in Northern Ireland

“An evangelical preacher from Northern Ireland who branded Islam satanic has been charged with spreading a ‘grossly offensive’ message. In a May 2014 sermon [broadcast online], James McConnell told worshippers… in Belfast: ‘Islam is heathen. Islam is satanic’” (AP, December 14, 2015). The prosecutor in the case claimed that Mr. McConnell’s comments had “nothing to do with religion or freedom of expression” (ibid.). Evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins recently made a similar attack on the Muslim religion without incident by stating “the Bible is just as ‘toxic’ as Islam’s holy book, the Quran” (Christian Post, October 16, 2015). The difference appears to be that Dawkins, an avowed atheist, also denigrated the Bible.

As society succumbs further to political correctness and clamps down on free speech, stating one’s beliefs will become more difficult—especially if those beliefs come from the Bible. Isaiah’s dual prophecy to ancient and modern Israel warns “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who put darkness for light, and light for darkness” (Isaiah 5:20). Sadly, there will be consequences for nations who reject God and elevate non-biblical religions: “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge… Because you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children” (Hosea 4:6). For more on this subject, read our article “Warnings Ignored!”