A local council in the United Kingdom has moved to prohibit public expressions of Christianity, including street preaching, distributing religious materials, and praying for individuals without explicit consent. Violators could face penalties as severe as two years in prison.
Rushmoor Borough Council in Hampshire applied for an injunction that would bar Christian preachers from spreading their message in the town centers of Farnborough and Aldershot. The proposed legal measure would prevent Christians from offering prayer, distributing Gospel tracts or Bibles, and laying hands on individuals, even with their permission.
According to The Telegraph, the council justified the move by alleging that Christian preachers had been causing “alarm and distress” to passersby. Authorities also cited complaints from the public regarding the use of portable PA systems and sermon content that reportedly made some individuals feel “angry and upset.”
Critics have condemned the proposed injunction, arguing that it effectively criminalizes Christian evangelism. The potential penalties for violating the ban include imprisonment for up to two years.
https://caldronpool.com/uk-council-seeks-to-ban-public-christianity-offenders-face-two-years-in-prison/