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

[Theblacksheepforever]

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?

Surely you don’t feel threatened or distressed by warnings of hellfire unless you actually believe in it?

I think unless the preaching is along Westboro Baptist Church lines or there’s some other bigotry going on (which would include the comments about disability described above), it doesn’t really fall within the definition of threatening or distressing.

I’m sorry it upset your son though.

I have seen this several times and I live in Wales. I knew a trainee priest once and he had to do this street preaching in front of a local church in order to "qualify". He was the sweetest, mildest person but he completely transformed into an incensed banshee to do his street Armageddon screeching.

I find it weird that all the preaching seems to be negative, loud and with obvious intent to shock and frighten people into believing or repenting or whatever. I grew up in a Christian country being told that God is love. I find all the "you will burn in hell" approach really off putting but then I am an atheist so probably not the target audience or maybe I am

Ah I understand, I stand corrected in regards to the public order offence. Still, if shouting about burning in hell isn't illegal then this certainly is -

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

That's a hate crime, surely?!

waves to Smerk Hi neighbour, gah sorry you've been listening to it for years. I moved here 5 years ago from up north, a small town where you would just never see it. It was a shock to say the least.

toomany I don't believe Jesus yelled at and harassed people like this people do, I really don't. He was love incarnate, gentle, yes delivered a hard message at times but hung out with the down and puts and rejected in society. When I think of street preachers here in northern Ireland, telling gays and 'adulterers' and they're wicked and going to burn in hell, that's not what Jesus would've done

Causing distress really

Damn right it does. My son was petrified!

Also see above the post from a disabled lady who gets accosted in the street and told her disability is due to the devil being inside her, or words to that effect.

Surely you don’t feel threatened or distressed by warnings of hellfire unless you actually believe in it?

It doesn't scare me personally but it scares children and I'm sure it unnerves other vulnerable people. I have a relative with a serious MH condition and it would definitely scare her.

I'm not suggesting the police round them up and arrest them BTW, a polite word to keep the noise down would suffice

When I last went to Birmingham I saw a few people dotted around different parts of the city centre preaching (shouting) about their religion with a microphone and a loudspeaker

By all means have a little stall and give anybody that's interested a flyer but I don't appreciate people shouting and ruining what was a nice atmosphere

I'm not interested. God doesn't exist

@cottoneyejoeswifestampon but that wasnt what i was responding to (homophobia) as that hadnt been mentioned in the thread at that point, although i appreciate further posts did go on to mention that. I was referring to it in the context of the Op who said the preacher was talking about god and judgement day, something Jesus did preach about, she didnt say anytjing about homophobic comments at all.

OP I have read all the comments so far. Do you not think I have heard street preaching before? We all have but your coming across as unhinged and precious by far. Preaching on the bus? I have never witnessed that one... even so.

Shouting about all sorts goes on in public places especially on Weekends when people have had a drink..it is not uncommon.

Just walk on by. For your child to be distressed like your saying how long are you standing by church preachers?? Because if they offer me the leaflets and speeches I just politely decline and go on with my day rather QUICKLY.

Encountering crazy people screaming in the streets is often frightening, disturbing, or sad.

It’s definitely one of the things I don’t miss about urban living as it is much more rare in less dense areas.

Mental health provision is woefully inadequate and that is a huge part of the problem. Even if it were wonderful, there will still be people on the fringe who feel the need to spread their version of the truth. Their right to do so is important and needs to be protected.

@littleredridinghood187

There's a huge number of people who would disagree with you.

I always think they must have poor mental health so not something they can really help. They probably genuinely believe they'll convert people and sadly some vulnerable people will be taken in. It is antisocial too

toomany I appreciate that the OP didn't mention it but it is my experience quite often, all street preachers I have heard are aggressive and very often extremely offensive. I understand Jesus was a street preacher, and one I would've very much loved to hear, not cringed at, they all sound the same, like evangelical robots

@Dairymilk50

OP I have read all the comments so far. Do you not think I have heard street preaching before? We all have but your coming across as unhinged and precious by far. Preaching on the bus? I have never witnessed that one... even so.

Shouting about all sorts goes on in public places especially on Weekends when people have had a drink..it is not uncommon.

Just walk on by. For your child to be distressed like your saying how long are you standing by church preachers?? Because if they offer me the leaflets and speeches I just politely decline and go on with my day rather QUICKLY.

Unhinged? It's you that is coming across unhinged with a post like that.

Yes preaching on a bus, ask Smirk she's local and will confirm it happens on a daily basis.

You clearly haven't experienced the sort of preaching that goes on around here..

Do you know sod all about autism? It only takes a split second to trigger a meltdown and can take hours to come out of one. You're a very ignorant person aren't you. Educate yourself on autism before you spout any more of that BS.

Recently encountered this chap at Oxford Circus- a bit unmellow. Doesn’t overly bother me though.

@dairymilk50 doesnt soubd unhinged, or rude for that matter

@Alwayswonderedwhy

I always think they must have poor mental health so not something they can really help. They probably genuinely believe they'll convert people and sadly some vulnerable people will be taken in. It is antisocial too

I've pondered that myself too, whether the ones that scream and shout the extreme stuff have any underlying mental health problems.

The Christians I knew personally would have never behaved like that, as I said in a PP my gran was devout and I have two aunts who are part of the faith - then their friends. It's unfathomable that you'd see any of them screeching about people burning, or outwardly abusing homosexual people.

[quote Toomanyradishes]@dairymilk50 doesnt soubd unhinged, or rude for that matter[/quote]
I beg to differ.

Calling me 'unhinged' is very rude indeed, as is undermining the struggles my child has when he has a meltdown.

There many people with children with autism your the ignorant one why have you assumed I don't have autism myself or my own child?

You are being precious by far. Shouting in the street goes on quite often and you have exaggerated by far in your posts. To imply that it is a crime... I'm sorry OP but you would surely just walk away with your child! Like the rest of us do it takes seconds.

There's bigger things in the world than Street church preachers.

It’s mental illness OP. Mad people. Whether it’s shrieking about religion or being abducted by aliens, anyone screaming in the street is not playing with a full deck of cards.

Disagree with those saying it isn’t threatening. Shouting at young children that they’re going to burn in hell is a threat, and clearly your children and you felt threatened.

It isn’t free speech anymore than screaming racist insults at footballers is free speech.

@Dairymilk50

There many people with children with autism your the ignorant one why have you assumed I don't have autism myself or my own child?

You are being precious by far. Shouting in the street goes on quite often and you have exaggerated by far in your posts. To imply that it is a crime... I'm sorry OP but you would surely just walk away with your child! Like the rest of us do it takes seconds.

There's bigger things in the world than Street church preachers.

If you or your child has autism then why would you assume I'd have to stand near the preachers for any extended period of time for my son to get so distressed?

Do you know how triggers work?

And I did walk away with my child.. obviously.

Removing the trigger doesn't automatically stop the meltdown does it.

@Cottoneyejoeswifestampon

toomany I don't believe Jesus yelled at and harassed people like this people do, I really don't. He was love incarnate, gentle, yes delivered a hard message at times but hung out with the down and puts and rejected in society. When I think of street preachers here in northern Ireland, telling gays and 'adulterers' and they're wicked and going to burn in hell, that's not what Jesus would've done

Didn't he have a bit of a hissy fit in a temple and overturn stalls and tables?

Yanbu. Free speech should be protected by that shouldn't mean shouting vitriol when there are passing children. I've seen some preaching etc in a calm way that I have no issue with, but I used to pass one near work who was aggressive and difficult to avoid, carrying a megaphone and talking about stuff I dont really want my kids to hear.