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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Religious preachers shouldn't be shouting and screeching in the street..

187 replies

Theblacksheepforever · 09/04/2022 22:02

I was out with my children today walking down the high street with my two children, reception age DS is autistic and my other DC is a little baby.

A religious preacher with fliers who we hadn't noticed - started shouting at the top of her voice about God and jusgement day as we walked past her. It scared DS stiff and an hour long meltdown ensued. I was annoyed.

My child aside, does anybody else think this shouldn't be allowed? It's antisocial and technicallg illegal given that shouting and screaming in the street is contrary to section 5 of the public order act, so why is this allowed?

AIBU?

OP posts:
Original poster
Theblacksheepforever · 09/04/2022 22:03

A few typos there, apologies I'm holding baby

OP posts:
carefullycourageous · 09/04/2022 22:05

I get that it affected you, but speaking, or shouting, or preaching is an aspect of having free speech and is vital in a free society.

So yabu.

ThreeLittleDots · 09/04/2022 22:08

YANBU, they're a menace and it's harassment to be shouted at by anyone

Cottoneyejoeswifestampon · 09/04/2022 22:08

This wasn't Belfast by any chance?? Agree with the above, it's extremely irritating and makes me feel so uncomfortable (and I am a Christian), how do they think anyone would listen to this, would Jesus have done this (or equivalent god/prophet)? I don't think he would have !!!!

VeniVidiWeeWee · 09/04/2022 22:09

Public Order Act? What legislation do you actually mean?

DysmalRadius · 09/04/2022 22:12

I suppose it's similar to someone with mental health issues shouting in the street - I'm sure the police might approach them if they happened to be in the vicinity and otherwise unoccupied, but it's unlikely to be something that they actively seek out. While I can completely understand that it upset your son, I imagine most people would barely give it a second thought and services are so stretched that it would have to be a bigger problem for more people in order to to move up the priority list.

RocketAndAFuckingMelon · 09/04/2022 22:13

Street preaching is not a s.5 public order act offence. There has to be an intention that the words are abusive / threatening (or an awareness that they are) or the conduct disorderly, AND it must be likely to cause a reasonable person harassment alarm or distress.

I sympathise with unexpected triggers with an autistic child - roadworks and emergency services sirens here - but you can't stop people exercising religious freedom even if you would vastly prefer that they would put a sock in it.

oldestmumaintheworld · 09/04/2022 22:14

It's a free country and we believe in the value of free speech. So long as it's not racist or hate speech people have the right to say what they wish. Have you been watching what's been happening to people in Russia speaking out against the invasion of Ukraine?

Mummy1608 · 09/04/2022 22:14

Yabu because imagine a world where this is forbidden. Where do you draw the line. It would be a scary dystopia where no one could talk louder than a whisper or talk to a stranger about anything.

Those zealots genuinely believe they are saving your soul. Even though they don't even know you. It's kind of sweet if you think about it, totally loopy of course.

Original poster
Theblacksheepforever · 09/04/2022 22:16

@VeniVidiWeeWee

Public Order Act? What legislation do you actually mean?
Threatening, Abusive or Insulting Behaviour (Section 5 Public Order Act 1986) – This offence can be caused by using abusive language or gestures with intent to cause another harassment alarm or distress.

She was shouting about how judgement day is coming and those who don't repent and come to christ will burn in the hellfire. That's pretty threatening to me.

OP posts:
Original poster
Theblacksheepforever · 09/04/2022 22:17

I'm in Lewisham, London.

They even get on busses and start shouting.

I'm atheist but have Christian loved ones, my late gran being very devout. Even she said it was inappropriate.

Hand out fliers by all means, I always take them with a smile, just don't shout and scream at people.

OP posts:
OneNightTimeMenaceStrikesBack · 09/04/2022 22:18

you know what i want them to do? STOP trying to 'heal' me and telling me im disabled becaus eive got the fucking devil in me. just leave me alone!

Mummy1608 · 09/04/2022 22:18

She was shouting about how judgement day is coming and those who don't repent and come to christ will burn in the hellfire. That's pretty threatening to me.

I don't think that's what threatening is. A threat is the suggestion that the speaker will do something to you. Here they're saying they think something bad will happen to you (which you are free to think is nonsense, as I do)

A threat: "I will burn your house down"
Not a threat: "I think your house will flood next time it rains"

VeniVidiWeeWee · 09/04/2022 22:20

But that's the point.

Was there intent?

Probably not.

Original poster
Theblacksheepforever · 09/04/2022 22:20

Even my gran said it is inappropriate, rather.

When she was alive she used to actively avoid them as she hated the shouting.

OP posts:
Original poster
Theblacksheepforever · 09/04/2022 22:21

@OneNightTimeMenaceStrikesBack

you know what i want them to do? STOP trying to 'heal' me and telling me im disabled becaus eive got the fucking devil in me. just leave me alone!
I'm sorry that's fucking horrible Sad
OP posts:
Musicandcheese · 09/04/2022 22:21

I just walk past. But I can see how it might be upsetting to a child.

Gettingthereslowly2020 · 09/04/2022 22:22

Free speech is important

But yes, they are bloody annoying! Shouting at the top of their voices saying we're all sinners and going to hell. If they really want to "save people" then why not spend their time volunteering at a food bank or a homeless shelter instead?

Also, I find they're usually very offensive. I remember when it was Pride and they were "preaching" disgusting rubbish about gay people and held up offensive banners.

It's horrible having to walk passed them with my child hearing their brain washing nonsense, even when they're not being outright homophobic.

Moppincraxy · 09/04/2022 22:23

YABU. Free speech.

I'm Christian and think they are awful and just put people off Christianity so I hate them doing it and find it so cringy. But I believe in the importance of free speech. You don't have a right not to be offended. It is not threatening. Just a bit mad and unpleasant.

Smerk · 09/04/2022 22:23

Hi neighbour. I also hate it but there's been similar as long as I can remember (born here).

MagnoliaXYZ · 09/04/2022 22:24

YANBU.

Religion makes me deeply uncomfortable. I can make the 'sorry, not interested' to the ones who try and stop me in the street (haven't had any shouting at me about judgement day) but I was in London a few years ago and there was a bus driving around with loud speakers doing religious preaching and I hated it, I felt so awkward.

RocketAndAFuckingMelon · 09/04/2022 22:24

@Mummy1608

She was shouting about how judgement day is coming and those who don't repent and come to christ will burn in the hellfire. That's pretty threatening to me.

I don't think that's what threatening is. A threat is the suggestion that the speaker will do something to you. Here they're saying they think something bad will happen to you (which you are free to think is nonsense, as I do)

A threat: "I will burn your house down"
Not a threat: "I think your house will flood next time it rains"

Quite. Also not a threat: "God will flood sinners' houses next time it rains"

I don't think street preachers intend to cause harassment alarm or distress, they intend to save your soul.

And the optics of criminally prosecuting evangelists are just a teensy bit Stalin.

tearinghairout · 09/04/2022 22:26

I also hate the shouting, I think it's counter-productive. But I think it's a very precious part of being British that this is allowed, and a right that must be protected. If you felt very strongly about something you have the right to stand up and inform your fellow citizens about it.

Dairymilk50 · 09/04/2022 22:29

And people with kids can't walk past also? It's exaggeration here OP is not in an enclosed room with the church preacher.... it can be annoying for a matter of a minute literally and then the church preacher is out of sight surely.

Causing distress really Confused you see lots of disorderly behaviour in public places all the time. I would just move away promptly with my child.

Comparing a church preacher to someone with mental health is not remotely the same scenario! It's annoying at times yes but to imply they are similar to someone with mental health is wild also.

Toomanyradishes · 09/04/2022 22:29

would Jesus have done this (or equivalent god/prophet)? I don't think he would have !!!!

Jesus was literally a street preacher, thats what he did, he travelledaround preaching in the open air and amoungst other things talked about the end of days etc

I hate street preachers myself, but my want to live in a country where free speech is allowed overrides my hatred of street preachers.

The problem is op when they bring in laws to stop the free speech you dont like, at some point they may use those laws to stop the free speech you do like

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