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?

We have an Ian Paisley type with mic and amp in our town centre. It's irritating and sometimes I wish the council would just have a blanket ban on it, or restrict it to a Speaker's Corner type place where you could ignore it.

However, I also believe in freedom of speech so while it's a PIA to be told I'm going to Hell of if I don't repent etc when I'm coming out of M&S, I would definitely not want to stop protest against the war in Ukraine for example and if that is to have an impact it has to be somewhere the general public will see.

In short OP I don't think YABU in feeling the way you do, given your own circumstances but freedom of speach is more important for all of us.

*StScholastica

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?*

He also said when healing the disabled that he had the ability to remove the sin from them e.g. they are disabled because they are sinners

There’s people in my part of London that shout and preach in the street, I do find it annoying and there was ones near us that were being racially abusive (I didn’t witness it personally but was all over the local FB group) my daughter has autism and luckily isn’t bothered by them we just ignore them. It’s so often where I am it’s almost unusual not to see them!

Freedom of speech is perfectly possible without shouting in the streets at strangers and terrifying little children.

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

Seems to me that this sort of preacher very much intends to alarm people, even if (in their mind) it's for their own ultimate good.

It's disgraceful behaviour, unlikely to have its intended effect and I rather think it's entirely self-serving, done because it makes the preacher feel good about themselves rather than really caring about other people.

I can appreciate the angle about free speech and i agree free speech is important, it's just a shame it's used to promote religion in such an aggressive way.

I have nothing against any religion, aside thinking these particular people are far too extreme to be shouting what they do in the street.

I think YABU just because the idea of a country without free speech is a scary one. I'm a Christian and find these kind of street shouters really frustrating and cringy, but I think we should all have the right to say what we wish, it would be a slippery slope if everyone was cancelled for everything.

He also said when healing the disabled that he had the ability to remove the sin from them e.g. they are disabled because they are sinners

No he really didn't. He said the opposite in fact when his disciples asked him if a blind man was blind because of his sin - he said no. When he healed people he looked at the whole person, not just their disability -- he saw people who needed forgiveness and setting free from stuff in their lives. He did not relate that sin to their disabilities.

@Theblacksheepforever

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

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

There's lots of triggers and that is my point. Lots of people shout and behave disorderly. Or is it only Church preachers now?

I am not arguing with you and OP. She is being OTT. Wanting police to have a word... then falsely implying that church preachers are shouting hate crime FFS and breaking a law that doesn't exist. Come on!

The police have better things to do to be Frank.. its not emergency.

@Madhairday

I think YABU just because the idea of a country without free speech is a scary one. I'm a Christian and find these kind of street shouters really frustrating and cringy, but I think we should all have the right to say what we wish, it would be a slippery slope if everyone was cancelled for everything.

He also said when healing the disabled that he had the ability to remove the sin from them e.g. they are disabled because they are sinners

No he really didn't. He said the opposite in fact when his disciples asked him if a blind man was blind because of his sin - he said no. When he healed people he looked at the whole person, not just their disability -- he saw people who needed forgiveness and setting free from stuff in their lives. He did not relate that sin to their disabilities.

Matthew 9:6 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house.

He healed the disabled man by forgiving his sins

The street preachers are perfectly entitled to havr their say. Holding them responsible for your son's meltdown is ridiculous and no reason to silence the preachers.

He also said when healing the disabled that he had the ability to remove the sin from them e.g. they are disabled because they are sinners

Quote please? TIA

i do agree with you a bit op , im in a large city in bucks , the small town on the other side of it where my mum lives sometimes has one of these preachers complete with megaphone no less and today when i went up to the city for an easter lego set there was one there , yelling away , its the general racket i object to , shouting on and on , when i came back out 30 mins later he was still in full bore , i wonder how they dont lose their voices , and yes i can apreciate how a child might find it frightening

The verse that @Toomanyradishes quoted in context is:

Jesus stepped into a boat, crossed over and came to his own town.2Some men brought to him a paralyzed man,lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith,he said to the man,“Take heart,son; your sins are forgiven.”

3At this, some of the teachers of the law said to themselves, “This fellow is blaspheming!”

4Knowing their thoughts,Jesus said,“Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts?5Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’?6But I want you to know that the Son of Manhas authority on earth to forgive sins.”So he said to the paralyzed man,“Get up, take your mat and go home.”7Then the man got up and went home.8When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe; and they praised God,who had given such authority to man.

So first of all he told the paralysed man that his sons were forgiven. He was called a blasphemer as only God can forgive sins. So as a visible sign of his power to forgive sins he also healed the man that people would be able to see that he had the authority to do this.

There is no relationship between the sin and the disability. But in order for the people to believe the invisible miracle of forgiving sins he performed the visible miracle of healing the paralysed man.

No fun all round. Kilburn High St has the Christians and the Muslims preaching away. I always think it’s going to kick off some day. And do they ever actually convert anyone through shouting at then with a megaphone? Seems vanishingly unlikely. So both annoying AND pointless

I HATE that they shout at people like this. Really upsetting to me, triggers a major anxiety/PTSD reaction in me. Upsetting for my teenager who cant bear shouting.

Plus I hate what they are shouting. Who made them judge and jury? They are usually "Christians" but theres nothing in their behaviour that fits with my understanding of what it is to be a Christian.

Free speech is fine imho, Im totally not against people expressing their views in public - I am against them shouting and upsetting people.

falsely implying that church preachers are shouting hate crime FFS and breaking a law that doesn't exist.

Hostility towards a group of people for their sexuality is a hate crime. My mention of hate crime was in reference to the poster I quoted, about homosexual people being targeted.

I can't be bothered to argue with you either, enjoy the rest of your weekend.

Matthew 9:6 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house. He healed the disabled man by forgiving his sins

It doesn't say that he healed him 'by' forgiving him (even in the antiquated version you chose to use.) It says that he saw the guy and forgave him, seeing the Pharisees cynicism asked them whether it was easier to talk about forgiveness or healing - so he wanted them to see that he could put his money where his mouth was as it were, and him being able to heal would lead to them seeing he could forgive, too. It was a teaching point for them, and a whole-self healing for the guy. No words about his sin causing his disability.

I wonder if someone was yelling at people in the street that they are going to suffer and burn without a religious context, would people still be defending that?

@AKASammyScrounge

The street preachers are perfectly entitled to havr their say. Holding them responsible for your son's meltdown is ridiculous and no reason to silence the preachers.

Oh give over, she was entirely responsible. He was perfectly happy until a stranger started shrieking about burning in the hellfire as we passed, making him jump and panic.

Sorry @Moppincraxy, cross post saying the same thing

@codeVeronica

I wonder if someone was yelling at people in the street that they are going to suffer and burn without a religious context, would people still be defending that?

I'm sure plenty on mumsnet would as they love to be contrary

@codeVeronica

I wonder if someone was yelling at people in the street that they are going to suffer and burn without a religious context, would people still be defending that?

Why don't you call the police? If your so scared for your safety and you feel threatened. Because I certainly would not hesitate to ring 999 in a threatening situation especially with my young DC.

Afterward He found him in the temple and said to him, 'Behold, you have become well; do not sin anymore, so that nothing worse happens to you John 5:14

When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” Mark 2:5

personally i like the latter day saints , been approached more a few times by them and they are polite , not pushy and its possible to have a pleasant chat and a laugh with them , they are respectful of whatever religious views you may hold , mine are more of the spritual nature and iv never had them start going on about hell or whatnot .
i have heard people be rude to them , although i hate being bothered i do make a bit of an effort with them , they are young and it cant be easy to have to spend up to a year away from their family and friends in a foreign country , esp this hellpit that is the uk

*codeVeronica

I wonder if someone was yelling at people in the street that they are going to suffer and burn without a religious context, would people still be defending that?*

I think a lot of people would probably assume the shouter had mental health problems.

Even with the religious context its entirely possible the shouter had mental health problems.

Ive certainly walked past people in the street shouting random things (also in birmingham incidentally) and made that assumption rightly or wrongly

To be honest i find the religious zealots less irritating thn the charity collectors who get up in your face

No fun all round. Kilburn High St has the Christians and the Muslims preaching away.

I've been in Stratford (London) when Christian and Muslim preachers were having a face off. It was a strange mix of self restraint and almost taunting. I wish they wouldn't but it is allowed and at that time there were a lot of police around over a nearby security scare.

The one that made me jump the most was in Belfast. Megaphone man must have been taking a break until I got almost level and he started up.

None of this has happened with child in tow. I'll ponder what to do. We have a word of the day thing, trying to work through the alphabet, though X seems to be Xylophone or Xerxes most of the time. E is for Evangelism... H is for Heretic.