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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:
yellowsuninthesky · 10/04/2022 14:29

@Cottoneyejoeswifestampon

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 !!!!
I've heard them in Belfast too, but it's by no means exclusive to there. There was one in Reading last time I was there too. They must have guts to spout such nonsense, I have to say.

But you shouldn't be able to hassle people for any reason, whether for religious, charity/chugging, or political reasons. Just let people get on with their lives without bothering them for money or attention.

Ahgoonyegirlye · 10/04/2022 14:29

free speech even if it is a bunch of nutters who believe in fairytales. As long as it's not hate speech e.g. " god hates queers, you're going to hell etc etc' they're entitled to stand in the street and 'preach'.

MakkaPakkas · 10/04/2022 14:30

@carefullycourageous

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.

Agree with this. Although you're right it's very annoying.
yellowsuninthesky · 10/04/2022 14:30

Same reason protestors are allowed to screech and holler outside abortion clinics. Life isn't always a bed of roses

well that shouldn't be allowed either. I also don't agree with picketing. Strikes are fine, protests are fine, picketing is not and barracking women going into abortion clinics isn't either. People should be allowed to go about their lawful business and nobody should be intimidated away from their place of work or somewhere they need a service from.

SamphirethePogoingStickerist · 10/04/2022 14:33

They are the original Monster Shouters. They are always the fire and brimstone act, never the loving and forgiving act.

They never cease to amaze me. The passion, the volume, the memory for obscure scriptures, the sheer excess of zeal and seemingly wholehearted belief that they are working for the good of mankind.

Even in the face of jeering, swearing etc. They just carry on, loud, persistent, lairy.

Rubyupbeat · 10/04/2022 14:36

Come on, if you live in Leeisham you must see a lot worse than that going about your day.
They have a right to preach, they feel it's what God wants them to do. I am another one who doesn't like it, but they are not harmful at all.

Sleepyblueocean · 10/04/2022 14:57

"I am sorry your child was upset, but the world doesn't revolve around him."

I hope you also don't object to the distressed behaviour of someone who isn't able to cope with the screeching.

Xenia · 10/04/2022 15:02

Most street preachers int he UK are quite softly spoken though and just stand in suits handing out leaflets. it tends just to be at speaker's corner that you get the firebrands.

I am in general in favour of free speech and the British weather is so awful most of the time we don't have much of a problem with these preachers. I have much more of a problem with protestors preventing ordinary people getting to hospital or work and leading the innocent to lose their jobs just because the protestor wants to save the whale, insulate houses or whatever the cause of the day is.

chisanunian · 10/04/2022 15:26

There was someone who did this for many years in a town near me. Everybody just ignored her, because it was clear she wasn't just religious, she was also off her rocker.

Brefugee · 10/04/2022 15:28

A fire engine putting their sirens on is presumably on its way to save lives. The preachers are just annoying twits (mostly)

you said you'd worked with him on that and he has ear defenders? TBH i do get where you're coming from, but from what i can see in the thread these people are always or very likely to be there? Probably you don't like it, probably he doesn't but can you always go on the other side of the street and have the ear defenders ready?

But again you have two issues here and you are conflating them. The most pressing is how it affects your son. Like it or not, as a ND child and later adult he is going to have to take measures to cope with things like this. We can debate until the cows come home about how society should be accessible for everyone (especially those with disabilities) but the world works how it works. And that allows these loud preacher types (and the vile anti-abortionists) alike.

Your 2nd issue is with them being allowed to shout the things they shout. That's something that you might have to take up with the council? It's not really ideal but I don't know the laws about that kind of thing where you are. (where i am it would be restricted probably on grounds of noise)

Dairymilk50 · 10/04/2022 15:34

@Prescottdanni123

I think it shouldn't be allowed and I am saying that as a Christian. It gets all of us a bad name.
No it doesn't we all not as histerical as OP come on!
Dairymilk50 · 10/04/2022 15:35

@Rubyupbeat

Come on, if you live in Leeisham you must see a lot worse than that going about your day. They have a right to preach, they feel it's what God wants them to do. I am another one who doesn't like it, but they are not harmful at all.
Precisely this.
Justanotherobserver · 10/04/2022 15:37

@Mummy1608

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.

Agree. Years ago, I lived in Wolverhampton for a while and the town square was popular with street preachers and I found them quite entertaining. The main guy always wore a black suit and a bowler hat and he used to work the bus stops. I remember him shouting 'Weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth!' but can't recall the rest of it. He lived up the road from us and we were on friendly terms. Another man, also dressed in black, used to march about holding a bible at arm's length. I found them fascinating.
GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 10/04/2022 15:38

If I encountered any such person when with Gdcs, I’d have no problem with telling them the person is bonkers.

Shortly before last Halloween I was shopping with Gdcs (5 and 6) when we found some long ‘witch’s fingers’ which of course they wanted to wear - and brandish! - immediately.

Some miserable killjoy of an elderly woman then took it upon herself to tell Gdcs that Halloween was the evil work of Satan and they should have nothing to do with it.
I whisked them on sharpish, telling them that the poor old thing was evidently round the bend.

ErrolTheDragon · 10/04/2022 15:42

I think a lot of the problem with street preachers, protestors outside clinics etc is that while freedom of speech is absolutely vital, it should be balanced by other peoples freedom to choose not hear it.

It's your choice whether to read a newspaper, listen to TV or radio, read info on the internet. You've got control over the off switch or turning the page. You can choose whether to attend a church, and can walk out of it if you want.

That's massively different to people shouting on the streets, giving you no choice about whether you hear it or not.

Original poster
Theblacksheepforever · 10/04/2022 15:43

we're not all as histerical as the OP

It's hysterical, but ok.

OP posts:
ThatLibraryMiss · 10/04/2022 15:48

Street preachers could do with reading their bibles, specifically Matthew 6:5-6:

“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."

SquirrelG · 10/04/2022 21:17

"I am sorry your child was upset, but the world doesn't revolve around him."

I hope you also don't object to the distressed behaviour of someone who isn't able to cope with the screeching.

That was my comment, and I have never in the whole of my 60-plus years seen anyone distressed because they couldn't cope with the screeching (I wouldn't actually call it "screeching" either). People simply walk on by. It seems to me people in the UK can't cope with the most normal things, judging from some of the nutty posts on MN!

codeVeronica · 10/04/2022 21:22

@SquirrelG

"I am sorry your child was upset, but the world doesn't revolve around him."

I hope you also don't object to the distressed behaviour of someone who isn't able to cope with the screeching.

That was my comment, and I have never in the whole of my 60-plus years seen anyone distressed because they couldn't cope with the screeching (I wouldn't actually call it "screeching" either). People simply walk on by. It seems to me people in the UK can't cope with the most normal things, judging from some of the nutty posts on MN!

OPs son is autistic. Autistic people often can't cope with things that most NT people can.
SquirrelG · 10/04/2022 21:51

OPs son is autistic. Autistic people often can't cope with things that most NT people can.

That may be so, but they still have to learn how to deal with things and cannot expect everyone else to tip toe around them. It's actually up to OP to deal with this, she is never going to be able to remove anything or anyone who might upset him so there is no point in raging about it.

amoosee · 10/04/2022 21:57

" I have never in the whole of my 60-plus years seen anyone distressed because they couldn't cope with the screeching "

You can't have met many people with ASD.

secular39 · 10/04/2022 22:02

I do find it fascinating if I'm honest. There was a person preaching on the street who was just awe-- more by his theatrical movements.

But I would hate to see this go. Whenever I see a preacher on the street it reminds me of my childhood and I feel like home.

secular39 · 10/04/2022 22:05

@Ponderingwindow

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.

I don't think it's mental health....
Madhairday · 10/04/2022 22:21

@ThatLibraryMiss

Street preachers could do with reading their bibles, specifically Matthew 6:5-6:

“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."

Yes, and also 1 Peter 3:15

Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.
1 Peter 3:15 NIVUK

amicissimma · 10/04/2022 22:35

We have had a outbreak of charity funder-raisers ('chuggers') in a bit of our town where I walk backwards and forwards quite a lot.

If I haven't responded favourably to 'Hello, miss. You look friendly' on the first, second, third and fourth approach, or yesterday, or the day before, why would they think I'd suddenly set up a Direct Debit on approach number 278?

They're quite intrusive - come right up to you and run round so that they are looking directly in your face. Repeatedly.