Shawn and team leaving the Glasgow High Court
Yesterday (March 18th) I was arrested while preaching the Gospel in downtown Glasgow Scotland. I spent a horrible night in jail and all I can say is that it was just miserable. Too many details from this specific incident occured for me to list here. I will say however that what it came down to was that two people were supposedly offended when I said that homosexuality is a sin against Jesus, therefore the arrest. I was given two options:
1- plead guilty to some really trumped up charges and possibly pay a small fine of hopefully only 50 pounds or so and go home by Monday as planned or
2- plead not guilty and have to spend up to 8 weeks waiting for the trial NOT being allowed to leave the country with no guarentee of winning the case.
I chose option number one. Big bummer though. The fine was 1000 pounds. Thats 1600 US dollars. The Christian men I am here with along with ten or so Christians from the area that we have never met who heard about this crazy arrest and false charges all pitched in and paid the fine for us!
So thank you for your prayers and please know how dearly we love you all. I will keep you posted soon with video and photos from this outreach when I return, Lord willing. May the Lord bless you.
Shawn and family
Filed under: Evangelism
Keep preaching the Gospel! You have many here in America praying for you guys. (your story reminded me of Acts 17:9)
My brother Shawn,
Man you can’t go anywhere without turning the world upside down for Jesus, can you!
Here’s some encouragement from thy God:
The wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him. The LORD will not leave him in his hand, nor condemn him when he is judged. Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it. I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree. Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found. Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace. But the transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end of the wicked shall be cut off. But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he is their strength in the time of trouble. And the LORD shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him. (Psa 37:32-40)
Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. (Mat 5:10-12)
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. (2Co 4:7-11)
My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. (Jas 1:2-4)
Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters. Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator. (1Pe 4:12-19)
KEEP PREACHING THE TRUTH BROTHER and EXALTING CHRIST CRUCIFIED THE HOPE OF SINNERS.
Shawn, could you email me when you get a chance. I’m a friend of Jim Blair and I’d like to find out from your perspective what happened in Glasgow. I’m trying to highlight this as much as I can.
God bless
you are a true soldier of the most high GOD…
YESHUA BLESS YOU AND KEEP YOU,
YESHUA MAKE HIS FACE SHINE UPON YOU…
Shawn, while we prayed we knew that you were speaking of Christ wherever He allowed you to go. You were & are a light in the darkness, which prison walls cannot extinguish because Jesus lives in you. He is the light of the world.
Looking forward to seeing you on Monday, brother. Holy greetings to all the brothers.
We love you.
I’m sorry if this is going to shock and discourage you, but I feel compelled to post it. Why in God’s name did you plead guilty? Do you realise what this has done for freedom of speech/preaching the gospel in Scotland? It has made it MUCH harder, as a local precedent has been set by this case, which will be persuasive in other courts in Scotland, when this happens again, making it MUCH EASIER for Christians to be prosecuted for this kind of street preaching. You have also shown the world that the body of Christ (who you were representing today) is WEAK AND COMPROMISED in the face of an anti-Christian state. Do you realise that you have admitted before the world that it was CRIMINAL to proclaim the truth? That you AGREED with the “crazy arrest” and “false charges”? You cannot say one thing in court and another thing on your website. Why did you not just stay in Scotland for eight weeks and get further opportunites to preach? As it is, how can you ever preach again after today? Have you no remorse? Was one night in custody all it took to get you to compromise the witness of the gospel in this country? Would the apostles have done this? Would those who DIED for their faith have admitted they were criminals for preaching as they did? Of course not! I urge you to repent of your dishonouring of Christ – I also urge you to reimburse my friends who paid for your freedom today (which I trust you realise you did not deserve). Some (possibly all) of them are greatly saddened and discouraged by your compromise. They supported you, yet you let them – and all believers in Scotland, not to mention Christ Himself – down badly today. Your story is more reminiscent of Acts 15:38 than 17:9 – bail is paid when a person is released while AWAITING trial – not when one has pled guilty! Bail is not a fine! Paul and the other apostles never admitted that what they were doing was somehow wrong. Instead, they said they had to obey God rather than men. This is not a day for rejoicing but for mourning… The “big bummer” was not the fine (which of course you did not have to pay) but the fact that you have dishonoured Christ by pleading guilty at all. Was it really going to be such a burden to stay in Scotland for eight weeks?!? You have gained your freedom today, but at what price to believers here in Scotland?
Nigel,
Judge not lest you be judged. Nigel made his choice and he is answerable to the Lord for that. There is therefore no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesu etc. With regard to setting precedent you are misguided. Precedent is only set i nthe higher courts of the land. In England this is in the High Court or above, not a Magistratrates or Sheriff Court in Scotland.
Persecution is the fragrance of the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ. shawn was declaring the truth, you can build on that and go out and take his place being willing to suffer reproach and persecutionfor the name of the Savious will bring you far more joy than living in a world which tolerates but does not embrace the gospel of Christ. Hallelujah, blessed are you when men persecute you. Awakening, revival, renewal call it what you will, always comes out of persecution. first the church will be brought to her knees and then through the prayers of the saints the heathen’s hearts will be opened to the gospel and repentance will follow.
You are taking these verses completely out of context. The spiritual man makes judgements about all things and in 1 Cor 5:11-13, Paul makes it clear that Christians ARE to judge those of their number who are guilty of wrongdoing. Rom 8:1 is not relevant to this. I accept I used unhelpful language in saying a “precedent” had been set – not in the technical sense, of course – but the Procurator Fiscal (prosecutor/DA) in Glasgow will now know that he has the court’s backing for taking a hard line with these cases. It is not clear exactly what Shawn (not I) said – certainly he was accused of saying a whole lot more than he was prepared to admit on the radio show and I’m reliably informed that he did not object to these matters when they were read out in court. If these allegations were true, then Shawn needs to rethink his approach to preaching. If they were lies, then sadly that is something that is on record, which Shawn did not object to in court. I would gladly take Shawn’s place and face whatever consequences there would be, but the question remains – why was Shawn not willing to stay in Scotland for trial? His Christian lawyer and his team wanted him to go to trial and his lawyer was right that he had a good prospect of winning – but even if he had lost, he would have had the opportunity to bear witness and proclaim Christ at his trial – that was the most important issue about this case and he was not asked on the radio show WHY he felt he was honouring God by pleading guilty to “trumped up” charges? Shawn has come across to the people of Glasgow as someone who admits his activity was criminal and that when the law was brought to bear on him, he gave in to it – rather than a hero of the faith who has been persecuted, he came across as someone who was not prepared to suffer for his faith but was prepared to accept he is a menace to society.
Sorry – posted that on a dofferent PC so it came out anonymous – if anyone hadn’t realised, it was from me.
I cannot truly say what I would have done, as I cannot foretell the future, nor are all the circumstances fully explained. I do not know Shawn personally, and therefore cannot testify as to his character or his dedication to Christ Jesus. I know that my Pastor thinks very highly of Shawn, and Shawn spoke to our Church during Lord’s Day worship directly before this incident, and by that I am inclined to believe that Shawn is a Brother and a true Disciple of Christ Jesus. Now that I have qualified my initial thoughts, I would like to expound on the subject incident, and would humbly request your indulgence.
What came to mind upon the news of this incident, were some of my studies when I was “counting the cost” early on, and the following writings by some very early Christians, Ignatius, Lactantius, and Tertullianus. After reading some of the writings of early Christians, I was shocked to say the least. They, men, women and children were truly followers of our LORD and did sacrifice everything. This had a profound impact on my understanding of what it means to be a Christian. Sadly, I believe that there will be many in “that day” who will hear the most dreaded words a person may ever hear, “depart from me, I knew you not”, as they wear the Blood of the Covenant as a convenient adornment, and their lives/fruit do not reflect true conversion as defined in Scripture.
I entitled this study, “What Does It Really Mean to be a Christian/Disciple”. Some excerpts from this study are codified below:
ca. 110 AD
Ignatius, a student of the apostle John, was arrested for his Christian testimony. While he was en route to Rome for trial and execution, he wrote letters of admonition and encouragement to several Christian congregations:
“It is necessary, therefore, to not only be called by the name ‘Christian’ but to actually be a Christian…If we are not ready to die in the same manner of His suffering, His life is not in us. “Bring on the fire and the cross. Bring on the packs of wild beasts. Let there be the breaking and dislocating of my bones and the severing of my limbs. Bring on the mutilation of my whole body. In fact, bring on all the diabolical tortures of Satan. Only let me attain to Jesus Christ!…I would rather die for Jesus Christ than to reign over the ends of the entire earth.”
Shortly after penning those words, Ignatius was brought before a screaming mob in the Coliseum of Rome, where he was torn to pieces by wild animals.
Lucius Caelius (or Caecilius?) Firmianus Lactantius was an early Christian author (ca. 240 – ca. 320).
“When people see that men are lacerated by various kinds of tortures yet remain unsubdued even when their very torturers are worn out, they come to believe that the agreement of so many and the unyielding faith of the dying is not without meaning. [They realize] that human perseverance alone could not endure such tortures without the aid of God. Even robbers and men of robust frame are unable to endure tortures of this kind…. But among us, boys and delicate women-not to speak of men-silently overcome their torturers. Even the fire is unable to extort a groan from them…. These persons-the young and the weaker sex-do not endure mutilation and burning of their whole bodies because they have no other choice. They could easily avoid this punishment if they wished to [by denying Christ]. But they endure it willingly because they put their trust in God.” (Lactantius Institutes bk. 5. chara. 13)
Quintus Septimius Florens Tertullianus, anglicised as Tertullian, (ca. 160 – ca. 220 AD) was a prolific and controversial early Christian Berber author, and the first to write Christian Latin literature.
Tertullian, encouraged a group of local Christians who were languishing in a Roman dungeon with these words,
“Blessed ones, count whatever is hard in this lot of yours as a discipline of your powers of mind and body. You are about to pass through a noble struggle, in which the living God is your manager and the Holy Spirit is your trainer. The prize is an eternal crown of angelic essence-citizenship in the heavens, glory everlasting.” He also told them, “The prison does the same service for the Christian that the desert did for the prophet. Our Lord himself spent much time in seclusion so he would have greater freedom to pray and so he would be away from the world… The leg does not feel the chains when the mind is in heaven.” (Tertullian To the Martyrs chaps. 2, 3)
“The more you cut us down, the more in number we grow. The blood of Christians is seed…. For after thinking about it, who among you is not eager to find out what is really at the bottom of it all? And after inquiring, who does not end up embracing our teachings? And when he has embraced them, who does not also willingly suffer so that he may partake fully of God’s grace?” (Tertullian, First Apology chap. 50)
I pray that the LORD will place a hedge of protection around Shawn and his family, and His Holy Spirit will continue to dominate their life’s conviction.
This mans guilty plea will have no bearing on what happens to other people who may appear in court in the future. The issue is – did he break the law or not?
I have a couple of posts “awaiting moderation” which should help to answer that. They are quite lengthy. Maybe that is what the trouble is.
I will try to abbreviate one in the next post and see what happens.
Shawn was arrested on 18th March. At this time, the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2003 was in force. (see: http://www.opsi.gov.uk/legislation/scotland/acts2003/en/03en07-e.htm ) Shawn was prosecuted under Section 74. This Act was essentially brought in to combat sectarianism, predominantly in the West of Scotland. This is how it has been used according to this study, which show that 97% of the prosecutions related to Roman Catholic / Protestant incidents. (see: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/155706/0041794.pdf , especially chapter 3)
See also the Lord Advocate’s Advice on the nature of Religious prejudice:
“The legislation covers offences aggravated by religious prejudice towards any of the world’s major or minor religious groups or of groups which are perceived to have some form of religious affiliation.” (see: http://www.copfs.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/13425/0000136.pdf )
As I understand it, there is no such thing as a “hate crime”. An offence has to have been committed (such as assault). This Act is brought into play if such an offence has a religiously-based motive – in the eye of the victim, or any one else. The judge is then required to impose an additional sentence for the crime and state this clearly:
“an incident is aggravated by religious prejudice if it is perceived to be aggravated by religious prejudice by the victim or any other person”. (see: http://www.copfs.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/13425/0000136.pdf )
No – I still get “awaiting moderation”.
A BIG AMEN!!
May the peace of God be with you as it has always been during your trials and tribulations. Philippians 4:13 says it best, I can do all things through Christ that strenghtens us. God Bless you sir and the Lord be with you.
Wouldn’t it be a lie to plead guilty to something you have not done?
Who was your counsel in this thing? They have ill advised you.
Lying is deception, Shawn didn’t deceive anyone,. Jesus took the rap for us didn’t he? Even though he was innocent.
Brother we are praying and will continue to pray for you God Bless. For HIS Name and for HIS Glory..
I praise God for your faithfulness to the truth, Shawn. It’s an honor to call you my friend. Keep on fighting the good fight for God is with you and He is greater indeed! One day every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. I’m so very thankful that you fear God and God alone. Count on my prayers for you and your family…His grace is sufficient and His peace passes all understanding.
Shawn, may God give you the strength to get back out there and lift up the name of our Lord Jesus, if you get the chance to stop off in Dublin, on the way back, may we lift up the name of Jesus once again, you are a blessing God bless you, Des.
Shawn I love you, you know that but I think you (and anyone who advised you to take this action) have done very wrong in pleading guilty.
1) The police will now realize that they can do this to any Christians who preach there, and so this will encourage police to be hostile against the Gospel there in the future.
2) The unbelieveing public of groups hostile to the Gospel will now realize they can now get Christians arrested and heavily fined, and so this will encourage them to cause trouble.
3) Pleading guilty in this case is bearing false witness.
4) Enemies of the cross now have Christians admitting they hate homosexuals, and Catholics.
This is heart breaking news, and has caused massive problems for the preaching of the Gospel in Glasgow and who knows else where.
I wish I could have been there to help give counsel. I would have come up but to be honest this course of action in pleading guilty was totally unexpected and unthinkable.
But remember His blood is sufficient and His love for you does not change.
Well said, brother – Shawn, please do take heed.
I fault the Christians in Scotland for failing to be the salt and the light and refusing to obey the commands of God to GO. This is why such abuses take place and will continue to (not because of Shawn).
Where are the Christians in that country? Is there not one who is bold enough to stand up and speak the truth?! If there be, these “laws” can be easily challenged. What about you Nigel? Go where he was arrested, stand and speak the truth about homosexuality!
“Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD…” – Psalm 33:12
Don’t really appreciate the sentiment behind this message, Scotland is full of passionate Scottish Chritians who, like me, are out on the streets sharing the truth. The gentleman arrested in Glasgow was missing one fundamental element to sharing the gospel – doing so with gentleness and respect as it says in 1Peter 3:15. Rather, shouting that the people are sinners and all going to hell has missed the point and has done nothing to share the truth of the kingdom of God and the love of Christ, all he achieved was support a poor stereotype of Christian. And make things more difficult for those of us who walk these streets every day.
We Christians in Scotland preach Christ, we are not foolish enough to be drawn into arguments by those who oppose God on their own terms. Clearly the way that the Lord dealt with the parties who questioned him in Mark 11:27-12:41 is an example of the wisdom that is obviously lacking in the present case. Please do your homework before coming back to this country.
The commission of Christ is not to preach against homosexuality or any other sin you might choose to single out. Preach Christ and Him Crucified. The cross condemns all sin, of every hue. Quote the Scriptures rather than offer your own opinions.
Pleading guilty was a thoroughly stupid thing to do.I can’t think how, having provoked this situation you could have done anything to make it worse than you have. I deplore the fact that you are unwilling to make a stand for your convictions and have simply cut and run and left others to pay your fine (2 Cor. 11:9).
I say that not only as a Christian but as a lawyer who practices in our courts and feels that a dangerous precedent has now been set.
I can assure you that in 12 years of preaching Christ in the open streets while I may have had things thrown at me, dogs attacking me and abuse offered (and ignored) I have yet to be arrested.
And we dont exalt ourselves either Colin eh?
Michael, I respect you but you are talking rubbish.
Dear Shawn,
So glad to hear God answered our prayers for you! The Lord bless you.
The Mike Mollman Family
Shawn,
Be encouraged. You pled guilty because you WERE guilty. You did just as the Apostles did in Acts 5…you accepted the punishment for breaking an ungodly law, and now are free to go “obey God rather than men”. To stay in jail is to obey men.
Acts 5:27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them, 28 saying, “Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Man’s blood on us!”
29 But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men….And [the council] agreed with [Gamaliel], and when they had called for the apostles and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41 So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. 42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.”
Go and preach Jesus the Christ, my brother. Be encouraged. This has not caused damage, but may it be as it was in Acts, that the disciples of Jesus were emboldened by the unjust persecution of their bretheren to go out everywhere and preach Jesus, the Christ.
Your brother in Christ,
Matt Johnson
Matt, you neither know or understand the situation – so please do not act as if you do. Acts 5 is NOT analogous here – does Shawn hate homosexuals? I’m sure he doesn’t. Yet he admitted in court today that he did. Did he intend to stir up hatred against Muslims? Of course not. But today in court he did. And how exactly do you KNOW that what he did has not caused damage? Read Matt Williams’ post – he has put things far better than I have. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying he was wrong to have spoken out against homosexuality when asked, but it was what happened in court that caused damage. It’s clear that he just wanted to get out and was going to do the expedient thing. There’s no doubt he had exceptionally bad advice though about how seriously the court would take it – £50?!? What century was the lawyer living in?
Sorry, meant Kevin Williams.
Nigel,
I don’t believe you can make a declaration that the advice he was given was “bad” as you do not know what people were trying to advice him.
*advise
Michael, unless Shawn has not stated things accurately and his team have not been truthful with me (neithr of which I believe to be the case), I do know what he was advised because he has said it and his team leader has told me! I practised law in the courts of Scotland for fifteen years and I know that NO Sheriff Court would EVER fine someone as little as £50 if they had been remanded in custody for it. I also know that all Glasgow lawyers will be aware that the particular Sheriff for the custody court that day was no “soft touch”, so the advice regarding the anticipated fine was inept to put it mildly. As I no longer practise law, my licence has not been renewed, so I was unable to represent Shawn myself on Friday. Had I been able to, I would have had no hesitation in doing so and explained that to his team leader. The advice given to Shawn has been expedient, as sadly often happens. I am assuming that the lawyer chosen by the team for Shawn did not get to him and that it was the duty lawyer who advised him – this individual clearly had no understanding of the legislation or of the massive difference between what was intended by the comments made (in this case by Shawn) and the wholly evil intention that the law puts on them, which no Christian should ever admit to. Shawn’s team rightly wanted him to plead not guilty and they communicated that to his lawyer. The fact that the lawyer appears not to have passed the message on is a very serious matter indeed. It will be interesting to hear from Shawn if he did receive that message.
I humbly disagree with Matt’s assessment. Shawn did not break any unGodly law of man, but instead the law was abused as even Scotland has free speech protections. My advice to Shawn would have been to stand on God’s commands for what he was accused of doing coupled with the fact that he did not violate the law as accused, which I believe was also advised by his attorney. However, even though he did not, I know this brother, and he is one who is a faithful witness for our Lord, and for this I am grateful and blessed. Pray for Shawn as I am sure it was rough and he is still feeling it, and let us all learn and consider the cost to obey and serve our King!
When you preach against the sin of the world, the world will come against you. They love their sin and would sooner arrest a preacher than to repent.
Glory to God. I hope and pray that you will remain faithful. It probably won’t be the last time, but how costly a fine. I just hope and pray that I would be so faithful if something similar happened to me in the U.S.A. Please pray that it’s so that we will be bold all the more here in U.S.A. and where ever we live. Thank you, good job at being faithful. And praise to God for the people who helped pay your fine, God bless you all.
Shawn, I love you, brother! My family and I will continue to pray for you.
I agree with Kevin, but lets also let Shawn have time to explain fully what happened on American soil. Perhaps some things we cannot know in this space and time. We are all capable of “falling away” as the disciples did at the crucifixion. Praise God that He is sovereign in all.
Lift up the banner of Christ!
I am very encouraged just to know you. You have no idea how many people have been praying for you and are encouraged by this. May this persecution light a fire in all of us that makes us more bold and to tell all we can about the only cure for this lost and dying world, Jesus
Look forward to seeing you back home,
David
Praise the Lord! Continue to stand firm brother and preach till man plead for mercy and be saved. Your truly are an encouragement brother~~
Grace and love
Shawn is my dear friend, and a brave brother in Christ.
How dare you Scots accuse him thus. If there were more Scots in the streets fighting for and proclaiming the truth, the Shawn would not have felt the call to come over and build up the brethren there.
Do you know hom many hours this man fasted and prayed in preparation to come over there? The weeks he has spent away from his dear wife and children? The time taken away from his mission field on the campus of North America? His motive was to glorify God in Scotland, Ireland, and the British Isles. His motive was pure.
It was the Scots that allowed that wicked law to pass. It was the silent church that Shawn went over there to build up and equip. And now, when he is imprisoned, you question his motives? you question his love? May God have mercy on you.
I encourage you Nigel and Kevin to reconsider your words, and take the energy to go out and continue to proclaim the Gospel with fire and without compromise. You may be locked up and have the opportunity to fight the case for yourselves. Take up the mantle of William Wallace and fight for a free Scotland. But do it in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
May God bless you!
Pastorboy, you show by your response that you are wholly ignorant of the situation in the UK. Can I direct you to the excellent work of The Christian Institute at http://www.christian.org.uk – they worked tirelessly to challenge, lobby and influence those in Parliament charged with passing this appalling legislation – they have many thousands of supporters in the UK who are encouraged to write to members of the House of Commons and the House of Lords at the time of voting on this legislation – believe me, were it not for such lobbying, our laws would be far worse! With God’s help, they have helped bring about much good in our national life, as you will see from their site. You are incorrect in saying that it was the Scots who allowed the wicked law to be passed – it was the British as a whole and, yes, generations of silent or weak Christians have been a major cause in the nation being in the dreadful state it is in today. Those of our class who supported him were very encouraged at the work that was going on – however, Shawn’s decision to plead guilty has ruined all the good work that went before and we are now left to deal with a situation in Glasgow and Scotland which is actually worse than it was when Shawn and his colleagues came over. I am not questioning Shawn’s motives for preaching but I AM questioning his motives for pleading guilty. As Betty Taylor said, we are all capable of falling away, as Peter did, but Peter wept and Peter repented – I don’t see any of that here – only people rejoicing that Shawn has been “faithful” by pleading guilty to crimes he did not commit just to get out of jail! I have examined my own heart and truly believe that, had I been in his situation, I would have pled not guilty, even if it had meant being remanded in custody for up to 40 days – and doing a jail sentence after that if convicted – and rejoicing at being counted worthy to suffer dishonour for the Name (Acts 5:41 ESV). I know that several of my brothers in Scotland are equally prepared to suffer in that way, should the LORD will it – and we are equipping ourselves over this year for preaching His Word faithfully, whatever the cost. May God help us to stand up for Jesus, with fire and without compromise, regrdless of what it costs us. On that we can agree, brother – please pray for the church in this land to be strong in the LORD and the strength of His might!
I do pray for you, fine lad, who has taken up this cross and obeyed the command to follow Jesus and preach the truth.
But I think you have not looked at this fully objectively.
1. Shawn is an American, holding a passport and a return ticket for Monday
2. Shawn has commitments over in the US in the next 40 days.
3. Shawn just got out of prison for preaching the Gospel. Could we wait maybe 24 hours before we pile on him and attack his reasons for pleading guilty?
4. We do not know the whole story, we would be wise to hear from him about what really went on before we make assumptions.
5. We do not know if a verdict rendered from the judge would change anything in forty days. What I am saying is he may have been judged guilty and that may have set you back even further. Also, you do not know, you are assuming, future events, i.e. harsher treatment of evangelists will result from this ruling.
6. This decision from Shawn can impact people like you to get more involved in the proclamation of the Gospel to the glory of God.
Remember, my dear brother, God is in control. While it may not be the right decision in your eyes, it was apparently in the will of God because it came out that way. I pray that this will unite the believers in the BI to join together for the lost, to the glory of God.
Pastorboy I am very upset with what you have just said about us Scots. We know our country and we love it. We also know how dark it is here and how we must stand firm. I personally think that the straight talking ‘in your face’ way of preaching actually does damage in the UK. For myself as a young follower of Christ working in the city (with a lot of gay people) and sharing my faith with those I work with and love dearly, street pastors have just angered my friends and it makes it harder for me when I strive to show them the love of the father as they have just walked down the street hearing someone shout that they’re sinners etc, which is true but they don’t see how that person has the right to point our their faults when that person isn’t perfect or even because they are just ‘visiting’ this country. If you knew half of the work that goes on in Glasgow and the danger we face every day you wouldn’t have made that comment. I can say this because I am part of a team who minister to the prostitutes, alcoholics and drug dealers in Glasgow and we never know what will happen but we know the Lord is protecting us. I believe that Jesus would be with those people if He was in Glasgow today, not getting wound up and shouting at folk in the street. If you or anyone feels called to preach in Scotland I advise you first get to know the Scots before the preaching starts. I know I’m not good with words so this is a bit all over the place and I’m sorry for that but I had to speak up cos I was really upset and angry by the comment.
I know you love the Lord and I trust you will understand what I’m saying!
Yvonne
Yvonne,
I have a wee bit o’ Welsh also.
I number myself with the Scots, Direct line from the Stewarts and Chisholms.
I know that Glasgow is a dark place, having visited there a few years ago. I count it a blessing that there are faithful Scots like yourself who are over there ministering the good news.
You mischaracterize Shawn’s ministry. It may seem confrontational, but it is similar to the great preachers of yesteryear, Spurgeon, Wesley, and Whitfield. The raising of the voice is not shouting, it is to be heard. And it is what Jesus, Paul, Peter, James, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Noah, etc. Did.
It may differ in style from your method, but the question is “is it Biblical?”
I think if you search the scriptures, you will find that it is.
May God richly bless you as you minister on the streets of Glasgow.
I agree Yvonne, this has developed into a really unfortunate situation. One of my key concerns with the tone of some people’s comments is the implication that the Scots are not doing enough to forward the Gospel (look at the organisation of Street Pastors for starters), and this arrogance that some people seem to have that they arrive in our country, stir up a hornet’s nest and then leave, with us left to pick up the pieces.
If we look closely at the conduct of Jesus, He didn’t base His ministry on harshly rebuking the Gentile/Jewish every day people, He connected with them and spoke the truth in love. He rebuked the ‘religious’ classes because they should have known better.
Please please don’t arrive on these shores looking to create controversy or gain ‘trophies’ of persecution, and please don’t come here thinking you’re better and more effective/annointed than the people who are already here doing a work. Like Yvonne said, there are many Scots already praying and pressing for change for God’s glory.
Let’s not look to out-dated methodology when evangelising, justifying them based upon what Spurgeon et al did (different culture, different time) rather let’s look to Jesus and how He did things – His ways are timeless and will always win souls for the Gospel.
thank you for your support and I 100% agree with everything you have said.
Pastorboy-You may have family who were Scottish but you don’t live here and have to pick up the pieces when the street preachers leave. I have spoken with folk who were there when Shawn was preaching (Christian and non) and none of them said they were encouraged, they were angry and most said that it was that style of preaching which puts them off Christianity.
I invite you to join me if you ever return to Scotland and really get to know the Scots and see for yourself how many Christians are stepping out, taking a stand and seeing the lost saved by the power of the Spirit.
Yvonne, you mischaracterized me also!
Listen, Jesus preached the same to everyone. It was just the Pharisees, comfortable in their view of God and the Law, who were offended.
Look, I agree with what you are doing, but to preach the Gospel out loud on the streets may not be a post-modern approach, but it is BIBLICAL. (as is your method).
If your Anonomys friend or yourself can show me where it is not from the BIBLE then will we cease.
Dead people, that is, those who are dead in their sins will HATE the proclamation of the Gospel in all forms. They may be pleasant on the surface, but unless you and I confront their sins, they cannot repent. They may continue to like us, but at what cost?
I love you and it would be an honor to serve alongside you. Keep ministering to people and preaching the Gospel as you lovingly care for them.
Hi Pastorboy, sorry my name (Stuart) is coming up as Anon. But i’m on a phone here so I can’t seem to see how to log in etc.
My point about outdated methods is simply that street preaching isn’t the problem, it’s the over-emphasis on the individual as a ‘sinner’ which is the issue. We’re all sinners, only saved by grace, and I don’t see this is a significant focus of Jesus or any other individual in the Bibl. Yes, people need to know that God has a holy standard, BUT the emphasis should ALWAYS be about the redemptive work of God, about the HOPE of the Kingdom of God, about edifying people thru your words. That’s the focus of the scriptures, and the focus of the Gospel. There’s NO excuse for leaving people feeling like they are sinners without offerning them the hope of the redemptive work of the Lord, and from everything we’ve seen so far from this gentleman’s street ministry, it has been approximately 90% hell and damnation and 10% love (clearly an approximation!). That is not justifiable based upon the Word (again, 1Peter 3:15).
The truth needs to be spoken, and I praise God that people are willing to get out onto the streets to do so, but it MUST be done properly or the only fruit we’ll have is a generation of people that have been verbally battered by Christians who have not spoken the truth in love.
Kindest Regards,
Stuart
Sorry, just reading back what i wrote and wanted to clarify the point about the focus of Jesus et al’s ministry – their focus was on the fact that we are all sinners but it gave them the hope of a new life, a fresh start, and what we’ve seen from this gentleman is predominantly hell and damnation preaching, it’s not been a measured and balanced preaching content. Jesus came to set the captives free, not highlight their captivity and then make them feel isolated as a result of it.
Best regards,
Stuart
You Americans are just unreal. You waltz in here to Scotland like you own the place, you cause trouble with your typically American belligerence, and then you start whining at the slightest hint of disagreement! Why don’t you do all the Christians in Scotland a favour and go home, stay home, and preach to your own much sicker society. If you feel the need to export your bile, your superiority and your judgmental attitudes to other countries may I suggest you join the American military who are currently heavily involved in that behaviour. I understand they need folk just like you.
Too true Rick. They should stay home and Barack Obama! ha ha! …
So Rick, what are you doing to promote Christ’s kingdom in Scotland?
That guy is welcome. Not only in MY country but MY City too.
Well, I help feed and clothe the poor in this city, and I offer the love of Christ to those who are poor in spirit. I have homosexual friends who I pray for and encourage to come to Christ. And I do it all without shouting.
Sounds like the way Jesus went about it. Ministering to those who were lost – but never shouting at them. The only people he raised his voice against were the religious nutters of the day – ringing any bells for anyone?
Well Rick, doing ‘good works’ aint enough.
“Faith comes by hearing”.
As much as I applaud your work.
What will you do if you encounter an American homeless guy – tell him to go join the Army?
Hey, if you were preaching in Sauchiehall St, you’d better learn to shout.
Rick , exactly my thoughts when I first read about this. I said this many years ago. I believed that we need to order every missionary back to America and reevaluate our theology and get it right at home. I agree with you, we are a much sicker society. Perhaps this case reveals our sickness.
Rick , I take it your not a Christian? to speak such hatred I will back that with the word of God. John 4-20 If a man say, I love God, and hates his brother, he is a liar ; for he that loves not his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? I truly say that with love not offened, maybe you acted in the flesh which can happen to us all, and have repented? if so please for give me, I am not American but Irish. I believe the world belongs to God so I have no right to tell people there not to come to my country, I know these men and there dedication to preach the gospel, they left there family and came and preached the truth and people are offened, would it be better for them to tell people a lie and let them go to hell? 1 Corinthians 6.-9-10 was what they where preaching on it was the truth, God has not changed with the culture, the people are still the same they love there sin and hate God.
Rick preaching the biblical gospel is offensive to the sinners . America uk etc . John 7-7The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil. 1 tim 1-8 But we know that the law is good if one uses it lawfully,knowing this: that the law is not made for a righteous person, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and for sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,for fornicators, for sodomites, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers, and if there is any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine,The problem today is biblical preaching is a thing of the past . We rather have purpose driven tea partys instead of preaching the gospel,Rick is a perfect example of hate for the biblical preaching today .
Alan, you come across as so self-righteous. Rick said he prayed for homosexual friends to come to Christ and shared the gospel with them. That’s not trusting in good works now, is it? That is someone who is preaching Christ, but doing it in a gracious, loving manner. The problem with the man who was arrested, and those who support him, is that their attitude is self-righteous, arrogant and intolerant.
Sorry Alan, byt Shawn won’t EVER be welcome in this country again – he’s been convicted of a hate crime so he won’t get back into the country, as he’ll be seen as a menace by the authorities – wonder if his lawyer advised him of that?
“EVER ” is a long time, but I certainly thik there might be a problem. I can think of two groups right off were barred from entering this country – and they had not committed any offence – yet!
There was the Dutch politician Geerd Wildes. He was banned when he arrived to show his film Fitna (see: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VK7hdZzFhHo and http://www.themoviefitna.com/ ) .
Westboro Baptists who were planning to witness against the play The Laramie Project (see: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/hampshire/7898972.stm ) And jsut by the way, the BBC claims that the man was killed because he was homosexual. Not the way I have heard it. For more on this see the Westburo Baptists web-site.
Oh, and then there was the ShockJock Michael Savage (see: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/5288279/Michael-Savage-brands-Jacqui-Smith-a-witch-over-Britains-banned-list.html )
And several others (see: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/5273762/16-extremists-banned-from-Britain.html ). 16 in total in the first six months of 2009!
But remember:
Rom 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
And then there is Charles Spurgeon:
“I am somewhat pleased when I occasionally hear of a brother’s being locked up by the police, for it does him good, and it does the people good also. It is a fine sight to see the minister of the gospel marched off by the servant of the law ! It excites sympathy for him, and the next step is sympathy for his message. Many who felt no interest in him before are eager to hear him when he is ordered to leave off, and still more so when he is taken to the station. The vilest of mankind respect a man who gets into trouble in order to do them good, and if they see unfair opposition excited they grow quite zealous in the man’s defence.
I am persuaded that the more of open air preaching there is in London the better. If it should become a nuisance to some it will be a blessing to others, if properly conducted. If it be the gospel which is spoken, and if the spirit of the preacher be one of love and truth, the results cannot be doubted : the bread cast upon the waters must be found again after many days. The gospel must, how ever, be preached in a manner worth the hearing, for mere noise-making is an evil rather than a benefit.” (from Lectures to my Students)
So let’s take up the cause!
I am trying again to post a comment that is “awaiting modearation” – this time without the links!
—————————————————————-
“EVER ” is a long time, but I certainly thik there might be a problem. I can think of two groups right off were barred from entering this country – and they had not committed any offence – yet!
There was the Dutch politician Geerd Wildes. He was banned when he arrived to show his film Fitna (see: link removed ) .
Westboro Baptists who were planning to witness against the play The Laramie Project (see: llink to BBC news removed ) And by the way, the BBC claims that the man was killed because he was homosexual. Not the way I have heard it. For more on this see the Westboro Baptists web-site.
Oh, and then there was the ShockJock Michael Savage (see: link removed)
And several others (see: link removed to Daily Telegraph). 16 in total in the first six months of 2009!
But remember:
Rom 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
And then there is Charles Spurgeon:
“I am somewhat pleased when I occasionally hear of a brother’s being locked up by the police, for it does him good, and it does the people good also. It is a fine sight to see the minister of the gospel marched off by the servant of the law ! It excites sympathy for him, and the next step is sympathy for his message. Many who felt no interest in him before are eager to hear him when he is ordered to leave off, and still more so when he is taken to the station. The vilest of mankind respect a man who gets into trouble in order to do them good, and if they see unfair opposition excited they grow quite zealous in the man’s defence.
I am persuaded that the more of open air preaching there is in London the better. If it should become a nuisance to some it will be a blessing to others, if properly conducted. If it be the gospel which is spoken, and if the spirit of the preacher be one of love and truth, the results cannot be doubted : the bread cast upon the waters must be found again after many days. The gospel must, how ever, be preached in a manner worth the hearing, for mere noise-making is an evil rather than a benefit.” (from Lectures to my Students)
Hi Rick, You’ve made some interesting comments about the Americans. The Pharisees probably said something similar to Jesus.
If my Kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight.
The servant of God must not strive.
Be ye wise as serpents and harmless as doves.
Shawn
I think Matt is right on with his comments. The law is not right. But nontheless you broke it and paid the fine. I think the greater sin would have been to not speak against homosexuality. Thanks for your faithfulness. May God grant you safe travel home.
God bless
Carl
Shawn,
I thank God for you, my brother. Let not your heart be troubled by some of the comments here. You are a faithful herald of the gospel. You’re welcome to preach atop my box anytime, anywhere.
Electing to plead guilty must have been one of the most difficult decisions you have ever made. I have no doubt you spent a good portion of your night in jail on your knees seeking the Lord’s guidance and will.
Give me a call when you can, my friend. I hope and pray the Lord allows us to preach together again very soon.
Dear brother!!
Thank you for serving the Lord and suffering for the Gospel of Jesus. Christ. I have been in prayer for you and we won’t know the full impact of the preaching we do until the Lord brings us home!! Stay strong my brother!
Robert CLINKENBEARD
Shawn,
We love you and pray we see you and your family again in Arizona. Please see us all soon.
Love, Rob-roy and Tammy.
Brother,
Thank you for your faithfulness. As Tony said, please do not be discouraged by some of the ill-stated remarks here. You acted faithful to our Savior and your testimony has further reaching implications that you or any of us may realize. Your current trial is a great encouragement to me.
Soli Deo gloria!
[...] Yet a man who walks their streets in peace, preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ gets arrested; brought up on trumped up charges and forced to pay a $1600 fine U.S. [...]
He wasn’t preaching in peace. He was preaching out of judgemental heart. Nor was he forced to pay the fine. He pled guilty because he didn’t want to go to trial. Don’t remember Paul doing that, do you?
So you condemn the guy for being imperfect?
He was preaching the truth as revealed in the Bible. Get your facts right.
Dear brother Shawn,
I learned of you and your arrest via friend, Tony Miano. We have been and are praying for you. Don’t quit! And God’s bless you for your faithfulness to truth and to the Lord, no matter the cost.
In His service,
Michele
Hi Shawn,
Just to let you know we are praying for you. We were shocked that you were arrested in our city only two days after we met you in the bookshop. “in this world ye shall have tribulations, but be of good cheer: I have overcome the world”
Norman, Janneke and Joel Fraser
Since writing my previous comment above, brother Jeff Rose has clarified some things that happened.
-The arrest happened quickly and none of the brothers with Shawn were allowed to speak with him before the court hearing.
-They asked a Christian legal organisation (I presume the Christian Institute) who told them to tell Shawn to plead innocent.
-They did get to tell the solicitor/lawyer (these are non-Christian provided by the city) representing Shawn on the day of the court to tell him to plead innocent, and he apparently told him, but as we’ve previously heard, he gave other advice (the wisdom of the world).
-The brothers there were all surprised when he pleaded guilty.
-Shawn is NOT a homo-phobic, or any of the alleged accusations that were made to him.
IT ALSO SEEMS THAT SHAWN HAD NO IDEA OF THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS CASE AND SO WE SHOULD NOT HOLD THIS AGAINST HIM.
I do not think he should have pleaded guilty, but he did. We all make mistakes and it’s time to move on and go preach.
……………………………….
As for the discussion going on this board (my following words are aimed at those hotly debating and not Shawn):
I did think Nigel’s comment before mine was very harsh in the way he put things. Although I agree with some (but not all) of the points he made (in the 1st post), he could have been much more gentle in his rebuke. That said, if I was in Shawn’s situation then I would rather have someone like that correct me over harshly (and even wrong on some points), than be surrounded by a bunch of flatterers and yes-men telling me I was a hero.
What I find most disturbing in these comments is that many of those who take great delight in correcting others, suddenly play the “judge-not’/'you’re unloving” card when one of us street preachers is corrected. Can we who rebuke others not take correction ourselves? Are we so Holy that we are above correction?
———————
I see no point in further arguing. It’s time to move on. Shawn I love you and you are in our prayers.
Kevin, thank you so much for posting – you are right in everything you have said. I am so sorry that I went off at the deep end and was overly harsh towards brother Shawn – the LORD has convicted me of this today and I seek forgiveness for having caused anyone to stumble. Shawn is in my prayers too today as the team preach in my beloved home town of Stirling. Thanks for your encouragement and support, dear brother.
I am no yes man, and I know a little about the situation and feel for you Brits and Scots, because that situation is soon coming here.
Another consideration is that Shawn is an American, and the disposition of this case would take several weeks and possibly months, with no guarantee of a verdict helping or hindering the cause of freedom in Scotland.
I again adjure you to consider what you can do to improve your own country, continuing to fight for rights as you preach the Gospel of grace. We here in America soon will be fighting the same battle, as some have already (including Shawn, at no small expense) for our rights that we have so casually disregarded.
And by the way, there is no such thing as homophobia, it is an idiotic charge, we do not fear homosexuals, nor do we hate them. When we tell them the truth, we demonstrate our love for them.
My friends in Scotland, I am willing to fight and even die by your side for the cause of the Gospel. Let us all go forth and preach the truth in love regardless of the consequence until He returns.
I love you Shawn!
I love those who have reproved Shawn also. Let us all go forward and not dwell on this supposed defeat, but focus on the fact God is sovereign and He can get glory from this! Let this light a fire in Scotland!
Pastorboy, I’m sorry, but on re-reading your post, I need to say a couple of things further by way of loving rebuke.
Tthe thing is that pleading guilty WAS a guarantee of hindering the cause of freedom in Scotland! It’s not that I’m berating Shawn for HIS decision now – it’s YOUR and your colleagues’ uncritical defence of him and his actions, just because he’s your friend, that is the big issue!
You also said that Shawn has already fought this battle “at no small expense” – if you are referring to this week, I have to say – EXCUSE ME? One night in jail? And as far as financial expense goes, it was my friends, who have precious little resources to pay such a fine, that the phrase befits more justly. Are you and your friends going to reimburse them?
I totally agree with you that the charge of homophobia is ridiculous – which is why we could not believe that Shawn had pled guilty to it! But now for ALL TIME until the LORD returns, he is on record in Scotland as not only BEING such a person, but as having ADMITTED that he is! NOW do you see what a disaster yesterday was? There is no “supposed” about the defeat – it was COLOSSAL! You guys really DO need to dwell on it – it’s all very well for him to go back home to his relative comfort and gospel freedom in the US – the truth is that your friend has left us here in Scotland with a more difficult situation than when he arrived. I think a bit of contrition and an apology would be in order – not back slapping and pious words…
My dear Nigel,
You do not understand of whence I speak, truly, there are some things I cannot and will not reveal on this blog regarding our dear Brother Shawn and what he faces in the States when he returns. Suffice it to say that he is under significant personal stress and strain (not to say that the Lord is not sufficient for Him).
Shawn is a fighter. It was out of character for him and I know very difficult for him to plead guilty. I am sure that he would have prefered, had time and schedule allowed, to take on this charge head on for all of your benefit. Saying that, however, you must understand that even if he had done this he could still have been found guilty, and it would not have only been his name besmurged, but all evangelists and ministers who stand for the truth in Scotland.
I still plead with you. Shawn does not want an attaboy, or a slap on the back. He wants and desires that all things be to the glory of God. You are stabbing a brother in the back when he is down- believe me He is down-when we should, like the good brothers in Glasgow did, be supporting Him. Let the chips fall where they may, God is still on the throne, in control.
This result, because it happened, was God’s will and His plan. He will get glory.
I love you Shawn, I cannot wait to minister alongside you again in NYC. May you have a safe return stateside!
Hi Shawn
I am a fellow open air preacher and lead the London team for Operation 513. I want to firstly say that I am sorry this has happened to you and I am especially sorry that you had to spend a night in jail. I have had run-ins with the police before but I have never been arrested and so have never spent a night in jail. That must have been awful.
However I must point out to you that it was a mistake to plead guilty. What’s done is done but the implications of this are very far reaching. I am sorry that you were given such poor advice, and if this did come from The Christian Institute I am very surprised, and disappointed. Advice is important and it was right that you sought advice. I appreciate that there was a lot going on in your mind and that the idea of going to court with no guarantee of victory must have been quite frightening, but think of the message that this sends out. By saying you were guilty you have sent out the message that you are a homophobic bigot intent on breaking the peace. Of course we all know that you are not that, however that is the message that is conveyed.
We love you Shawn, but brother understand the problems this causes for many of the believers in Scotland. Understand that this sets a precedent for future homosexual assaults against street preachers.
We are pleased that you are ok. We know that your motive for coming to Britain was godly and filled with a love for both the lost and the church in the UK. We know you are a faithful witness for the truth of the Gospel.
But brother, know that your decision to plead guilty has damaging implications for many of the believers in Scotland and possibly the rest of the UK.
I am not wanting to “get on the band wagon” here and “kick you when you are down.” I agree with what Kevin has written and Nigel was certainly overly harsh in what he wrote.
It is time to move on. We all make mistakes but the important thing is that we learn from them. God has allowed this to happen and so we must trust God going forward.
Yours in the Gospel,
Rob Hughes
Amen, Rob – again, my apologies to Shawn and anyone else caused to stumble by my overly harsh post.
May God bless you and keep you, Nigel.
Let this light a fire in your soul for justice and the Gospel proclaimed in Scotland.
I should add that I am pretty certain it was the Duty Lawyer who acted for Shawn – once they have the papers, it is very hard to change to another lawyer that day, as there are ethical issues involved regarding “stealing” other clients and the instruction has to come from the client himself, not his colleagues.
Let us not forget that the Lord is in this, let us not lean on our own understanding, God has a plan for this, it may be to expose the legal system in this country when an innocent man has to plead guilty to a charge and feels that it has given him options which are difficult to balance. The judge should have realised that no law was broken and that there was no case to be answered. I’m sure there will be an appeal against this. The Lord will reveal His will in this.
That’s why I was so angry, Mark – because I know the system and because Shawn had the “benefit of legal advice” (a legal term that so often rings very hollow), he cannot appeal against this conviction. he could appeal against the sentence, but that would not reverse the damage that the guilty plea has caused.
There seem to be details coming out this morning that I have heard from his fellow street preachers and I feel we need to wait until all these details are known before we can continue with this.
Shawn,
It’s always amazing the “Monday morning quarterbacks” who show up after something like this, especially from fellow street preachers who really ought to know better. Rather than comfort the persecuted, they add to their afflictions. Regardless of what the prophets say about what “this will do”, remember, brother, that their laws were already on their books, God is Sovereign (even over man’s laws) and He has built it into you to be faithful. To God be the glory. You have encouraged me and made me think about what I would have done.
To the nay-sayers, regardless of your tone, you have now set up your own standard for yourselves. Now you must live up to it or your yes is not yes and your no is not no. For those of you who live in Great Britain, hop a flight to Glasgow (Ryan Air is cheap) go to the same corner Shawn preached and preach against homosexuality. If you do not, this is all noise. It’s all well and good to preach where you are comfortable: Shawn did not stay in the States and preach where he knew the ropes. Manchester and London are not Glasgow. After all, if Shawn did such irreparable damage, then apparently something must be done to remedy it. If you really believe that, put yourself on the line. If you can’t, then don’t criticize someone who DID.
How easily we throw our brothers under the bus…
With love to all of you,
Jon
Amen, Jon.
Let this light a fire in Scotland that will not be put out. All to the glory of GOD!
“Monday morning quarterbacks”
nice one!
Doesn’t seem to be enough facts to render judgment here…He that answereth a matter before he heareth [it], it [is] folly and shame unto him. Prov 18:13
…But I’d say we have 5-10 years tops here in the States before this is commonplace.
What do you think is missing? The fact that you admit that things are “behind” in the US is quite telling – the situation here in the UK os much darker than Shawn and the team realised – no doubt lessons will be learned from that…
Wow, that is amazing how Christian brothers and sisters stepped up to help pay the fine. What a blessing and a miracle!
So sad there is no freedom of speech but I am thankful you are out of prison and will continue sharing the gospel!
God bless you! Your reward is in Heaven!
As a Chinese pastor who keeps his bags packed ready for jail time says, “persecution good for church-church grows!”
Shawn, thank you for being such an encouragement. Thank you for your boldness and courage. You had a lot of people praying for you. Maybe we can have you on Ambassadors Alliance Radio sometime in the near future to hear the whole story?
As for Kevin Williams, dude, can you just for once, try and hold back your comments? Every where I turn I see your name and your opinions. You couldn’t even wait 24 hours to respond? It’s like you’re a vulture hovering around the Christians, waiting to see one of them fall so you can get there first and tear into them with your sharp talons and pointy beak. It gets kind of old brother. I agree with Jon Speed, get on a plane and go over to the same corner where Shawn was arrested and see what happens. And you know what, we’ll all still pray for you too brother.
To every commentor on this thread:
We ALL have something to learn from this. Every one of us.
Let us remember :
1) Romans 8:28
2) Colossians 3:12-15
3) God is sovereign.
By His power, nothing that has been done cannot be undone if He so decrees. Nobody has to go out and prove anything to anybody on their own, nor could they.
Shawn: God bless you, brother. Welcome back. I look forward to hearing this story from a first person perspective.
Shawn,
Wow, my brother! You got to taste the same cup that drove our pilgrim forefathers to flee those very shores and eventually settle in America. You now stand in a long line of holy, tireless men who suffered for the pure Gospel on the British Isles over a span of centuries. Even on American shores, some of the earliest Baptist preachers (that fled England and the Continent to settle in Virginia) suffered such things (though not unto blood as in the British Isles). Right in front of me I have a list of more than 150 such examples, and in the description column, “Jailed for Preaching” appears time and time again.
“Wherefore, seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses let us lay aside the sin that doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith . . .” (Hebrews 12:1-2).
Fight the good fight of faith; lay hold on eternal life.
Although some may not agree with what Brother Shawn plead, all must realize they were not him and not in his shoes. He had his reasons for pleading as he did. Now is the time to raise Shawn up in prayer and help him get past this point in life. We cannot worry about the lawful implications it may have in the future. It is done and all have to move on.
Brother Jeff said Shawn is a awesome preacher and man of God. He needs encouragement and prayer, not a whole host of “Well if it was me….”. It wasn’t you, time to move on. I have been following this situation on Facebook as well and some of the comments made are almost sickening. Tearing down another Christian because you don’t think what he did was right, isn’t right in itself. Perhaps the nay-sayers should be the first to sign up for next years trip, and put themselves in the line of fire.
Hopefully Shawn sees there are many prayers going out for him now. I for one am thankful that he went to the UK and answered the questions about homosexuality for those people. He knew he was going to go to jail for it. He was warned and did it anyway. Let’s give credit where credit is due….He stood up for the Gospel! The people that were there that day may have heard what they are doing is a crime against the Lord and repented!
I thank God that Shawn was on the streets preaching against those things which God deemed sinful. I thank God that Shawn brought the Gospel to those who may not have heard it elsewhere. I thank God there are many who take to the streets and proclaim God’s word. We must all thank God for Shawn. Keep preaching Brother. Deal with this situation and move on. Follow God, listen to His word and do not pay attention to the ones who are trying to rebuke you. To God be all the glory!
Amen, Danne
I thank God for all who proclaim the Gospel faithfully. May this situation be turned for the glory of God, May those who are sitting on the sidelines making accusations against Shawn be on the streets like his brothers were immediately following his arrest proclaiming the Gospel.
Please remember to continue to pray for Shawn who is apart from his family to be over in England. Be in prayer for his safe return, and for his dear family who await him.
I must say that these last two weeks have been very powerful. I am so grateful to the Lord Jesus for allowing me to numbered with such godly men as the guys who came with me to the UK.
I have so much respect for all these men that left behind friends and family to come to the UK and proclaim Christ. I have observed the lives of these guys and have been in awe at their level of love and passion for Christ and for the lost.
I have learned so much from them and am extremely humbled. We preached for fourteen days straight, and have seen God move in His mercy and grace. I have the deepest respect and gratitude for all those who gave their hearts to the preaching of God’s Word.
I love you Shawn, you are most certainly a lover of Christ-
Your Brother in Christ,
Jeff Rose
I just spoke with Shawn- He was at it again today, preaching with Bro. Jeff and the others at Stirling. He could barely talk…but he was glorifying the Lord God in a final and powerful day at Stirling. I am blessed to have this bold brother as a friend and co-worker in Jesus Christ.
We must remember to lift up those who heard the Gospel and those who falsely accused, that Father would grant them repentance and faith.
Bart and Jon,
Sorry to see you both resort to slandering, personal insults and name-calling.
I can sincerely say all of my comments on here are in love and there is no malice on my part.
————-
Shawn,
was blessed to preach with you brother. Thank you for your service of our Lord here. You’re always welcome.
Scott & I are looking forward to seeing you again, brother. We love you & always count it a privilege to serve the King of glory side-by-side with you.
I am so grateful to have met you a few weeks ago brother. Your humility and love for others was so convicting to my prideful arrogant heart. I hope to be half the evangelist you are brother. God is sovereign and in control and your footsteps are ordered of the Lord. Be encouraged brother, maybe your imprisonment will wake up the Christians of Scotland, like the death of Stephen awoke the church of Jerusalem.
Interesting that the other people preaching and continuing to preach were not arrested. You denigrate the gospel by lying about your arrest and claiming it was fro preaching the gospel!
Your attitude and actions hurt the cause of Christ. Its time to look into humility because your arrogant proclamations of self righteousness conflict with the facts.
Another preacher lying to promote himself and make himself look better.
You didn’t preach the gospel, you abused others to get attention.
Dave, I spent these past two weeks with Shawn. Many of the guys on our team were threatened by the police. I was also warned for using the word homosexual in my preaching the same day Shawn was arrested. Shawn is a great brother and I would love to continue to preach alongside him.
You sound like a “tinkling cymbol” and like “sounding brass”. Making noise and writing words.
*Comment directed at Dave Sampson*
Dave, you’re right. I was just reading the Bible, in my devotions, whjich says we must share the gospel, but always with gentleness and respect. The grace of God must be proclaimed graciously. I think that was the problem here. It wasn’t about what was said – it was the aggressive way in which it was said which incited those watching on.
IM Jolly, were you there or are you just an armchair critic who makes things up?
Look in the mirror if you want to attack anyone.
Are you from Glasgow Mr Jolly?
If your common sense was as big as your ego you’d know that there is a very militant and large network of militant ‘homosexuals’ who’ll go out of there way to stir up trouble at Gospel events.
I don’t get how you can use the idea of how a ‘militant’ homosexual group provoke someone into anything. I work in street ministry, meet homosexuals regularly when serving the Lord, and because I choose to speak with gentleness and repect to them, gain a platform to share the love of Christ as well as communicating God’s holy standard. The fundamental problem here is just someone showing up for a day and shouting judgement, then turning and walking away at the end. Show me in the Word where Jesus verbally battered non-believers and then turned tails? Even Shawn’s promotional material on the website show him shouting to people that they are sinners – we’re all sinners! People hear that and they feel judged by Shawn, not by God, and that’s the fundamental problem. don’t get me wrong, I stand for God’s standard, but there is a right and a wrong way to go about it if we want to bear good fruit for the Kingdom.
Best Regards,
Stuart
Dear Shawn,
I have a friend in Jeremiah Cry Ministries and he forwarded me an e-mail concerning your situation. First of all I give Almighty God the glory for you being sent out to preach the gospel. Many “armchair” Christians could say they would have stayed in jail. We don’t know the specifics of your situation. I have to encourage you with what had happened with Peter. He was very outspoken, but when it came down to it he denied Jesus, but Peter had “Godly Sorrow”. Peter did not quit even though he failed before. Then the Lord used him mightily on the day of Pentecost. Take heart and endure to the end. Dust yourself off, allow the Lord to pull you up as he did Peter on the Sea of Galilee. Finish the race brother.
Striving to be souled out for Christ,
Mike
Hi Mike, none of the Christians stating that they would have stayed in jail here are armchair Christians, I know most of the personally and they are all preachers of Law & Grace and in the streets.
Anyone who truly understands the implications of what has happened is going to be concerend as we already know how much hassle we get from fellow Christians (who don’t appreciate that the Gospel is offensive to the perishing) and from the very strong homosexual lobby and their friends.
We do not have free speech really in these countries over here so it is a totally different ball game, as someone here rightly pointed out this is one of the reasons that the pilgrims went to America, New Zealand etc.
I love and appreciate shawn, I don’t think he was unloving in his gospel presentation, I am not an armchair quarterback. There are very few Christians in any western country (incl. USA) actually involved in street ministry as a percentage of those who claim to be Christian!
There has been only myself and my wife in our town here in Ireland for about 3 years, even though there are supposed to be 4 large Christian congregations of varying denomination bent. We have recieved resistance from all of these for preaching.
Another denomination opened a “church” here about a year ago and they also do street ministry but they have refused to minister in partnership with us because we don’t “come under the pastors authority” – that’s all a bit papal.
We are under a pastors authority, just not one in this town, and the ultimate authority is the scripture.
Besides they preach decisionalism and don’t like any other presemtation of how a man must be born again.
Shawn posted sufficient information to invite negative comment by saying that he pled guilty to “trumped up charges”
So now, I thank Shawn that he goes on the streets and is willing to preach the gospel, in the UK.
May God bless him and his family. And may He use this to grow us all in the love and knowledge of Himself.
Let’s take care brothers and sisters not to slander each other in front of unbelievers.
Shawn,
I have had the pleasure to meet you a couple of times now ( at the mormon temple during Christmas, mill avenue, and you visited my home church) and I have been encouraged by the few conversations we have had. When I got the e-mail from Edwin of the news that you were in jail I was and continue to pray for you and mostly that God recieves His glory through all of this. Lord willing I will see you again.
Jeremiah 20:9 (English Standard Version)
If I say, “I will not mention him,or speak any more in his name,” there is in my heart as it were a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I am weary with holding it in, and I cannot.
God can forgive you of homophobia if you will repent and turn from this fear. You have pled guilty and paid a hefty fine so now turn to God and finalize the deliverance.
This post is ample evidence of the mess that this whole affair has created. Charles, I am assuming you are either a “gay Christian” or think it’s OK for people to be? For all my criticism of Shawn’s decision to plead guilty, I know he and his colleagues are NOT homophobic. Would you please point me to the verse or passage in the bible that says that homophobia is a sin to be repented of? While you are at it, please look up 1 Cor 6:9-10 and then tell me that it’s OK to believe the bible and be a gay Christian.
Romans 2:11 For there is no respect of persons with God.
Ephesians 6:9 … your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.
Colossians 3:25 But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.
James 2:1-3, 9 My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.
1 Peter 1:17 And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:
I am not gay and disapprove of the abomination.
Apparently the court thinks this is homophobia. Shawn is not charged with preaching the gospel as many are making it appear.
My beliefs are rooted in Calvinism and condemnation has no place in the preaching of the gospel in the hearing of all. Regeneration preceeds the law and not the other way around.
Niegel, No dry humor and no I am not gay. Doctrinally I do believe that regeneration preceeds conversion chronologically. The new birth takes place unknown to men apart from the preaching of the Word. The regenerate become aware of their new birth at the time they hear the gospel preached and are then converted by repenting and being baptized. Many think that regeneration is a rare experience and that an immediate good life results. The immediate result of the new birth is a qualification for heaven; entering and inheriting the kingdom of God is a part of a subsequent conversion that follows regeneration. My personal belief is that Saul was regenerate at birth Gal 1:15 (no one really knows when he was regenerated) and that his conversion started on the road to Damascus. As a regenerate he persecuted the Church in zeal and ignorance.
A gay person may be regenerate, born again. He is on his way to heaven but still needs to enter and inherit the kingdom of God. The burden does not rest on his sholders but on the sholders of the church to bring him to conversion. The Holy Spirit guides this process of both bringing the regenerate, unresistingly, to the church, generally resisting tooth and toe nail to cooperate with the Spirit in the regenerates conversion.
The church is arguing the details of this responsibility and its awful prejudices and passions hinder the Spirit’s work. The specific passion is the question of the sufficiency of Christ’s atonement to even regenerate the person in the first place. With all my heart I say Christ saves sinners! I am a sinner saved by grace. The world is so full of regenerated people and the church is not providing the Lord with needed laborers.
The church is busy disqualifying canditates and laborers. The law had nothing to do with a person becoming a regenerate. He is elected from eternity. The law brings him to conversion and the law will not awaken him to awarness of his need! In fact it may get the preacher stoned by the regenerates.
The message of Christ and him crucified pierces and cuts regenerate hearts. It is dangerous to evangelize and an error on the evangelist part may send him to jail, needlessly, especially if in his preaching he is relying on man’s traditions and not the Spirit.
If he is denying the master who bought him (through unresolved atonement issues) he will bring on himself swift destruction. If his ego is in the way of the message then the message is reviled. Generally IMO the messenger is granted by the Spirit favor with the unchurched world and the characteristic confrontation by street preachers is the result of a faulty atonement. Christ was favored by the masses because he came without condemning them.
There will be persecution but that persecution comes when regenerate people are under religious influence and have been exposed to legalized religion. They may kill you!
The true unchurched, indifferent, will for the most part react differently from religious men. Improperly converted and falsely discipled men are a dangerous lot and one has to tread softly or just be plain bold, outspoken, wise as a serpent but harmless as a dove around religious people.
Nigel Is it wise on a public forum to assume that a person is a gay Christian. Is this a slight hint of some homophobia on your part?
Unless your post was tongue in cheek, Charles, I don’t see what else it could have meant! Btw, I’m very much with you doctrinally – what were you saying? On reflection, it does look like some dry humour – if so, sorry I missed it!
Someone delete this comment please.
I find it very interesting that people will go on and on, for the sake of proving a point or being heard. This is Shawn’s web site and this comment feature is provided by him. He could turn it off if he wanted to. If some of you want to get across to Shawn about how poor his decision was in your view, then why not contact him directly? If it means that much to you to make that point, would it not make more sense to speak to him directly rather than to create the debate that has arisen here? I find it rather self seeking or self promoting to continue with the rebukes and personally swayed views that are occurring and reoccurring.
I am calling on all believers everywhere who are reading this series of comments, to turn to God. Seek Him and His will. Let the mind of Christ be formed in you and let go of your pride and arrogance. What is done has been done, and we will deal with the consequences going forward, but for the sake of the glory of the name of Christ Jesus the Lord, lets be of one mind and heart and be known to this world because we are in one accord knit by the will of God.
We know who agrees with the move and who does not by now. Let it go, and Worship God.
You are wasting valuable time even now, sitting in front of this machine reading these idle words when you could be seeking the Lord, or pleading with the lost…..GO…now…please.
God bless you Shawn.
Amen
Praying for you Shawn and your Family: Blessed be the name of the Lord.
here listed below is the law of the UK regarding “Hate Speech”
Hate crimes
Section 74 and Schedule 16 amend Part 3A of the Public Order Act 1986 to extend hate crime legislation to cover “hatred against a group of persons defined by reference to sexual orientation (whether towards persons of the same sex, the opposite sex or both).”
To prevent the Act being used to inhibit freedom of speech on the subject of homosexuality, paragraph 14 of Schedule 16 inserts a new section 29JA, entitled “Protection of freedom of expression (sexual orientation)” but sometimes known as the Waddington Amendment (after Lord Waddington who introduced it). It reads:
“ In this Part, for the avoidance of doubt, the discussion or criticism of sexual conduct or practices or the urging of persons to refrain from or modify such conduct or practices shall not be taken of itself to be threatening or intended to stir up hatred.[6] ”
The government tried to insert a clause in the 2009 Coroners and Justice Bill which would have explicitly repealed section 29JA, but the proposed repeal failed and section 29JA remains.
Section 74 and Schedule 16 come into force on 23 March 2010.
Thanks for that, Charles – this shows that it was WRONG for Shawn to have been charged – I plan to get access to the charge sheet this week (it is a matter of public record) to see exactly what Shawn was charged with. Sadly, there is no right of appeal against the conviction, as he had legal advice and pled guilty.
perhaps God providentially arranged bad council!! My opinion is that he should have stayed and gone to court. He seems thave a good case against prosecution.
As it is he is leagally a homophobic evangelist, and it doesn’t matter what all his coworkers think. Personally I believe that the “American” churches are infested with prejudices of all sorts and that this charge of homophobia is credible. This could be God’s way of awakening the church.
Several weeks ago my pastor, preaching from II Cor 5, lumped gays and blacks together to show how much God loves sinners. I was immediately offended and was astonded. We only have a handful of blacks as it is, but I was embarrassed for them. This is a large successful baptist church with otherwise a great preacher. I have confronted my pastor several times about prejudice and immediately i get a strong denial. Other more obvious things take place in ot church.
This is a major hinderance to a clear understanding of the gospel. Being gay is a sin but black is not a sin. Tongue-in-cheek: being white may be a sin! Straight white male is unforgivable. You will say i am gay now!
Sometimes I really wish I were not white!
Scotalnd has different law. It has a different basis to that of england and Wlaes. You have quoted Englaish law – not Scotiish. The Waddington amendment does not apply in Scotland.
Having said that, Section 74 of the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2003 only applies to offences against religious bodies. It was designed to deal with sectarianism – that is, Roman Catholic / Protestant offences – and that has to be an offence (such as assault) without the religious aspect. The religious aspect increases the sentence. It is not an offence in its own right.
Since 24 March 2010, disability and sexual oreintation have been added as grounds for an aggrevated offence.
The problem was that Shawn pleaded guilty – to something that was not covered by the Act.
jesus would have died for his actions
not lied
Judge not.
Hi Shawn,
It was a pleasure to meet you and your wife at Edwin’s wedding. I’m thankful that Edwin forwarded the info so we were able to pray for your situation.
God bless you and your family.
I pray that God uses your ministry to continue the furtherance of His Kingdom!
Praise God for your faithfulness!!!!
fact is someone got arrested for preaching the gospel on a public street. unthinkable in this country just a few years ago. if they are going to arrest people for preaching the gospel on the street then there should be 10,000 Christians preaching the gospel on the street and let them all be arrested. be encouraged.
hi there.
I was with the team in Manchester for a day when they stayed with Kevin. I have to say that that day was one of the most blessed days I have had in a long time of street witnessing.
On a side note: For those of you who were there on that thursday, the guy at the start our time, when we hit the streets- Who was dressed as a statue, he appeared in another city (Sheffield), about a week later, right next to where we were witnessing. Of course the preachers I was with did exactly the same as the ones in Manchester and used the crowd as an opportunity to witness. I wonder if the statue guy was an angel?! At least he has heard the Gospel more than once!
Shawn & other commentors here- I have to say I was very shocked when I heard Shawn had pleaded guilty. For the rest of the day I was burdened with it, even though I did’nt want to be as such. I can’t help but feel Shawn would have won the case had he held on – but it did not happen in the end and I do not know everything that happened for Shawn to make his decision. Although I believe it was a mistake (because if you (Shawn) were preaching the Gospel, you most certainly would not be hating the homosexual(s)),
I take the whole experience personally much like many other similar instances across the country regarding Sexual orientation and the faithful Christians coming under fire- as a real blessing of God preparing us for real difficulties coming i.e. we have yet to be swallowed up by this movement -PRAISE GOD-. I could be wrong, but knowing the Lord blesses His saints so much (often undeservably), perhaps this whole thing is something to reflect on as just that and realise we deserve far far worse in our life that God does not currently allow. When it does come, we are / have been prepared in a way. We need to prepare for the possibility of jail in the end. That I am sure, will be the start. We then need to think of who the Lord would have us to minister to in jail and what we are to learn in such times.
I would also see this whole thing as an opportunity to realise that we all make mistakes (I am not sure we know the true cost of even small mistakes) and the Lord is mighty to work on our behalf.
We need to humble ourselves on what we do with whats happened. How long before we allow the sun go down on this?
I make many mistakes on the street that people are largely not aware of, I dishonour the Lord so much that its only by His blood that I can do anything worthy to be described as ‘good’ nevermind something so much as a ‘hero’. I need to constantly examine my motives and i feel we all need to in our reaction to whats happened here, such is the flesh to veer the way of hatred or the way of being puffed up. Should we have this stumbling block to keep us down? or should we stand on it and aim higher? ask that from this, that only to God be the glory! and that we should further die to the works of the flesh. In the Name of Jesus.
Exactly nigel. God is absolutely sovereign over the whole issue, Be still and know that I AM GOD, I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. We can only stand by grace, we can only honour God and bring glory to His name by grace. God does the work through us, people will see that, and give glory to God.
We carry this treasure in earthen vessels… vessels that look weak, are weak and unassuming. But through which the power of God can work if we allow Him to. That same power which raised Christ from the dead dwells in us.
Alot of Gods people failed God, look at the hall of faith, samson is even mentioned there. Praise God He is more gracious than we are, there truly is none like Him.
Hallelujah
God bless you Stuart/Anonymous, Glasgow Christian and whoever else has written similar threads which highlight that our Gospel is about the love of Jesus. That He showed His love to the people who realised they were sinners (like the parable of the tax collector and the pharisee) like me and that He died that we all may have eternal life.
a wise Christian friend of mine commented to me recently :
“i sometimes think that the way Christians talk
about people with homosexual feelings is similar to the way black people
were ostracised many decades ago, as if they were somehow sub-human,
unequal, not like us etc. and i agree that homosexuality is
being singled out now as a sin that is beyond the pale, when so many
other sins overlooked.”
Jesus was criticised and accused of all sorts of sins because He showed love to everyone, not just other ‘religious’ people.
A Roman leader who was not a Christian but lived in the days of the early church commented that the reason why the Gospel spread so fast was that “those Christians are promiscious with their love, showing it to both those who do share their beliefs and those who don’t.”
This is the Gospel I share with my friends in Glasgow and this is the one they respond to.
I am staggered at all the comments I have read today. I do not know if Sean did the right thing or not because only God knows the future and His ways are not our ways. Please, please lets all have a little more faith in Our Lord and a little more respect for our Brother In Christ. I sin and make bad decisions daily, dunno bout you lot, Praise the Lord that He is more forgiving than the Christians leaving messages.
I will pray for you all not just Sean and his family.
If any Scot’s Christians want to make a bigger noise http://www.facebook.com/pages/Christian-Voice/107396072621213
Keep strong sir! Don’t let this discourage you! you are sharing in the suffering of our lord Jesus Christ =D
he was charged with preaching homophobia, not being homophobic. (just to clarify)
Do you mean he was preaching against people who have an unreasonable fear of homosexuals?
Seems to me he was charged for preaching homophobically!
No – preaching homophobia is not an offence as such (although it may be shortly) – I pan to get a note of the actual charges and let people know exactly what Shawn was charged with (and of course what he admitted to by pleading guilty).
Thank you for posting the clarification Cliff, on the law there. Do those in Sotland carry a copy of this law with them when about witnessing?
Is there a way for Americans to show the corruption of what happened there to other Scottish persons? (here, I would write a letter to the editor perhaps, or contact a representative, or try for some sort of appeal)
Thank you.
Betty, I have written to the local Member of the Scottish Parliament for the area of Glasgow where Shawn was arrested.
I’ll let you all know what sort of response I get.
Alan
I’m encouraged by your boldness Shawn! God bless you brother!
-mark
Shawn,
I love you brother without a “but” attached. Keep preaching the word. I am thankful for your loving example and dedication. Remember brother, as the church started it was attacked from within and without and through it all God was glorified and the kingdom spread. People are forgetting that we are not to contend with the “god of this age” and the world, our Lord Jesus has overcome it. The victory is his to win not ours and He is still very much in control of all things including the outcome of court cases and their political impact on the local legal system.
Remember there are always those ready to sow discord among the body, don’t waste your time argueing with them, stay faithful to your call.
Brother Shawn,
i was blessed to have fellowship with you while you were in the UK.
You are an encouragement and a great brother.
I look forward to having more fellowship with you and preaching the Word of God!
praying for you and your family , hope you got home safe!
God bless you brother!
I’m encouraged by your testimony. God bless you, brother and keep preaching.
Hey Shawn forget what is behind you and press on. I know the truth i was standing next to you. And will stand with you again to preach the Gospel anytime anywhere. God Bless you and i will see you soon i hope. So a wee word for the critics, please take a minute to think,encourage our brother in Christ don’t tear him down.
Amen to that
Thank you for proclaiming the word of God!
Anders Brogren
Sweden
I think it unwise to compare Shawn’s actions to Peter’s denial of our Lord. It is NOT the same thing. Please reconsider this comparison and let’s not go down that path saints.
Joe Graves
Capon Bridge WV
Hi Shawn you were a insperation up preaching the gospel. We need more preachers like you in Scotland.
God bless you, brother and keep preaching.
Jason, any Christians on facebook can join this group
Any folks on Facebook, please join us here http://www.facebook.com/pages/Christian-Voice/107396072621213
Hey Shawn,
Its been an honor to stand along side you and preach in NYC for the past couple of years and look forward to doing it again this fall. Your heart for God and the lost has been a great encouragement to me. God has used you to teach me and even push me out of my comfort zone last year at Union Square. Keep preaching brother!!!!
We are truly living in the end of times.
We’ve had one pastor here in sweden in court for the same reason but he went trough it and won. Now all the churches that fear the word of God in Scotland should go out on the streets and read the same scripture Shawn did. What shall they do then? Jail them all?
God bless you Shawn!
This incident should unite us not divide us, what will we do? I think we should arrange a march for Jesus in Glasgow its been so long since the last one. Kenneth thanks for the encouragement from Sweden. Romans8:28.
Exactly Jim, but there are so many ‘Christians’ who love to put the boot in.
I agree Alan, we are really good at shooting our own wounded. Lets see how many Glasgow christians turn up for the prayer meeting in George Square on monday night eh. To pray for our city and our country.
Aye Jim, It’s 8 pm – 9 pm, near the war memorial.
Wear warm clothes.
Jim, email me alan.huges@gmail.com
I dont know your email address !
Hello i was one of the brothers preaching with shawn in Scotland . The minute we got there we encounter harrassement from the police . It was like they never saw a street preacher before exercising his freedom of speech.Day after day in Glasglow only. We where harrassed. We preached in sterling and edenberg we had no problems preaching the gospel . We went back to glasglow after preaching in Edenberg on st pattys day . As soon as we got a crowd the police where there . I look and i see the same guy calling the police a couple of days earlier . The police took his statement shortly after they took shawn to jail . The problem is glasglow police had a bias toward us preaching the gospel it was obvious . We had lots of great conversation in Glasglow a long side the open air preaching . The gospel went forward not one person walk away from us thinking he was going to heaven because he was a good person . The whole counsel of God was preached .I would like to encourage my brothers in Christ that live in scotland to pick up where we left off and preach the gospel in Glasglow .I pray God raises up teams to go out there and preach the gospel and warn people about the lie of islam and homosexuality . when we where waiting for shawn to get out of jail after we paid the fine . Me and some other brothers went back and preached in Glasglow and warn people about islam and homosexuality . I would suggest you round up all the churches and head out there and preach the gospel . Make a stand set the ground work for the next preacher .That is my prayer
God bless you for that
You imply that open-air preaching doe not happen in Glasgow on a regular basis – but I can assure that it does.
Those who do it regualrly know that we will get the obligatory visit from the police – but it si no big deal! Sometimes, it can actually be welcome!
You can watch a vidoe of on event (which the police visited) here: http://www.csgwatch.com/videos-of-the-csgwatch-protest-&-petition-launch.html (and yes, I appear brifely in it!)
And here is a friend of mine preaching in the open-air in Glasgow, amongst other sermons and places:) http://www.sermonaudio.com/search.asp?SpeakerOnly=true&currSection=sermonsspeaker&keyword=David^C^Mackereth
Brian well said on the 22nd march, we should all take the gospel to the streets, Lets stick together on this, don’t let it devide us but let it bring unity, Let Glasgow flourish by the preaching of the word and the praising of His Name. This is Glasgows motto and we want it back.
Well brothers and sisters in Christ see yous all in George Square for prayer on monday night 8-00pm to 9-00pm. Also a wee thought for all who have slagged our brother shawn off, PLEASE write something now that will encourage him and build him up.
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[...] skriver själv sin historia på sin blogg (min översättning): Igår (18 Mars) blev jag anhållen när jag predikade [...]
Translation from above
blev jag anhållen när jag predikade = I was arrested when I preached
Uppmuntras i Gud
We just had Shawn Holes on our show, Ambassadors Alliance Radio. Find out what happened and how Shawn and his team handled it.
You can download the show as a Podcast for free.
Here is the link: http://tinyurl.com/yknzczv
We love you brother!
Heard you on Wretched Radio and from your account, you did not come across as condemning or unloving. I think some people were bringing the subject up to make mischief for you, knowing that the Police in the UK will *always* investigate allegations of ‘homophobia’.
I think people are being too critical here. I am deeply touched that our brother loves our country enough to leave his country and his family to bring the Gospel to the UK. As for the circumstances surrounding the arrest and the ‘guilty’ plea, I am just not worried. The Lord will use this for His glory. I am just thrilled that thousands of lost people have heard the gospel, received tracts and New Testaments. The result of this will only be known in eternity. I for one would not want to be kept away from my family for 2 months awaiting trial.
I am reminded of the situation the Salvation Army faced in their early years when they were preaching the gospel in the UK. They had all sorts of harassment from the police and local magistrates for preaching in the open air. They spent many nights in jail and some of their number were even martyred. Read ‘The General Next to God’.
I want to finish by saying 3 things.
1. Brother Shaun thank you SO MUCH for coming to the UK. I for one appreciate what you did and one day I hope I meet you one day and shake your hand and thank you face to face.
2. I want to apologise on behalf of my country for the way you were treated. I am English, my wife and her family are Scottish, from the Glasgow area, and I am ashamed of the way you were treated by the authorities. We Brits owe you Americans a great debt for the spiritual blessings you bring us.
3. Please don’t be put off from coming here again. Of course we all need to be wise, gentle, loving and so on. **And** we need to preach the gospel boldly and clearly as Jesus commands. The same goes for anyone in the US who has the right motives.
Blessings
McM
Have a look at the following link for other information about and examples of street evangelism in Glasgow -
http://www.christianstogether.net/Articles/134677/Christians_Together_in/Christian_Life/Reaching_Out/Reaching_out_to.aspx
Scottish Daily Mail, bit front page about Shawn today.
Also, anyone interested in what is happening in Scotland, become a fan please http://www.facebook.com/pages/Christian-Voice/107396072621213?ref=ts
Shawn was arrested on 18th March. At this time, the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2003 was in force. (see: http://www.opsi.gov.uk/legislation/scotland/acts2003/en/03en07-e.htm ) Shawn was prosecuted under Section 74. This Act was essentially brought in to combat sectarianism, predominantly in the West of Scotland. This is how it has been used according to this study, which show that 97% of the prosecutions related to Roman Catholic / Protestant incidents. (see: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/155706/0041794.pdf , especially chapter 3)
See also the Lord Advocate’s Advice on the nature of Religious prejudice:
“The legislation covers offences aggravated by religious prejudice towards any of the world’s major or minor religious groups or of groups which are perceived to have some form of religious affiliation.” (see: http://www.copfs.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/13425/0000136.pdf )
As I understand it, there is no such thing as a “hate crime”. An offence has to have been committed (such as assault). This Act is brought into play if such an offence has a religiously-based motive – in the eye of the victim, or any one else. The judge is then required to impose an additional sentence for the crime and state this clearly:
“an incident is aggravated by religious prejudice if it is perceived to be aggravated by religious prejudice by the victim or any other person”. (see: http://www.copfs.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/13425/0000136.pdf )
“Section 74 – Offences aggravated by religious prejudice
410. Section 74 makes provision to deal with offences that are aggravated by religious prejudice. At present, at common law the courts can take account of aggravations when sentencing. This provision requires them to do so and sets out the procedure that is to be followed by the Crown. For the provisions in the Bill to apply, the aggravation will require to be libelled in the indictment or specified in a complaint by the Crown and proved. “Religious prejudice” includes sectarian prejudice.
411. An offence is aggravated by religious prejudice not just on the basis of actual religious belief but on the accused’s perception of the religious, social, or cultural affiliation of the individual or group targeted by the offender. The section requires a court to consider whether any element of religious prejudice is involved in an offence and if it finds that the offence has been aggravated by religious prejudice to take that factor into account when sentencing. The court is also required to state the extent of and reasons for any difference in the sentence from that which would have been given had the offence not been aggravated by religious prejudice. In line with the position in relation to common law aggravations, evidence from a single source is sufficient to prove the aggravation, i.e. corroboration is not required.”
See also Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2003: Commencement Order No. 1 Provisions: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2003/06/17469/22716:
“Section 74- Offences aggravated by religious prejudice
Section 74 makes provision to deal with offences that are aggravated by religious prejudice. Prior to commencement of this section, at common law the courts have been able to take account of such aggravations when sentencing. This provision now requires them to do so. For the provisions in the section to apply, the aggravation will require to be libelled in the indictment or specified in a complaint by the Crown and proved.
The section requires a court to consider whether any element of religious prejudice is involved in an offence and if it finds that the offence has been aggravated by religious prejudice to take that factor into account when sentencing. The court is also required to state the extent of and reasons for any difference in the sentence from that which would have been given had the offence not been aggravated by religious prejudice .”
This was the law in force at the time of the alleged offence – which was what exactly?
Further, the 2003 Act did not allow for sexual orientation as an “aggrevation.” It only dealt with religious bodies.
My view is that it was a mistake for Shawn to plead guilty, and further, it was a miscarriage of justice for any supposed offence to have been considered “aggravated” by the judge as sexual orientation was not covered under the 2003 Act which applied when the supposed offence was committed.
On 24th March 2010, the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2009 came into force. This Act adds to the 2003 Act by including disability and sexual orientation as “aggravations”. However, an offence still has to be committed – an offence which could be prosecuted and conviction gained without any religious element. Once such a conviction is obtained, the sentence would be increased if it could be shown that there was a religious element involved. (see: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2010/03/23143524, http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/8583550.stm , http://www.opsi.gov.uk/legislation/scotland/acts2009/pdf/asp_20090008_en.pdf and http://www.opsi.gov.uk/legislation/scotland/acts2009/en/aspen_20090008_en.pdf )
I am afraid that this reminds me of the problems caused by “well-meaning” preachers who have visited Israel (for example) – blundered in, rushed out and left a mess for those who reside and witness there to deal with. If anyone is going to a foreign country to preach, they need to do their home-work – and do it in conjunction with those who make a habit of doing it in the country in which they reside. This is the first case to my knowledge of any preacher being convicted under the legislation here – and preachers have been faithfully preaching the truth and handing out literature here for many years.
I find the whole discussion awful. Please let us go back you Bible and read what we are told. Looks to read Paulr5 when he is im[risoned and spoke for one whole day.I think reading the old before the new testamanent is so important. The Bible is quite emphatic about men, who go with men etc. I think the baptist pastor is quite right and should be supported by more folk. Where are the voices who normally fill a few on sunday but on monday, do nothing.
http://scotlandonsunday.scotsman.com/scotland/Preacher-is-fined-for-homophobia.6186156.jp
To all Christian brethren in Southern Scotland
I am a member of a group called Christian Watch.
Amongst other things we have been running a campaing in Glasgow for much of tha past year(see http://www.csgwatch.com/bridget-mcconnell-culture-and-sport-glasgow-must-resign-or-be-sacked.html )
We intend, God willing, to hold two meetings in glasgow on different themes on Tuesday, 6th April and Monday 12th April at the David Lloyd Centre ( see
http://www.christianwatch.org.uk/christian_watch_events_2010.html for details).
During the week between themeetings we inted to go out on the street in Glasgow.
You are hereby invited to join us.
I rejoice that Shawn has been busy throughout the UK including Belfast. We need more like him to preach in
the Open Air. I invite any who love the Lord Jesus Christ
to join us at Belfast City Hall just after 12noon on Saturday
31st July where we have our annual witness just prior to
the Pride parade. Any from the USA would be welcome
to join us, God Willing.
We will be praying for Shawn and especially for his father
I know Shaun, he is my friend and brother in Christ. He is a brave man for the Lord, by the grace of God. He and his family are wonderful people. God bless you Shaun, thank you for standing up for the Lord Jesus Christ. These “hate speech” laws are Satanic by their very nature. The UK and Europe threw away the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and what do they get? Oppression, street violence, and Islamic terrorists demanding Sharia law be the law of the land. The sad thing is this is coming to America if there is no mass revival and return to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I LOVE YOU IN CHRIST MY BROTHER SHAUN AND YOUR FAMILY! Thank you! I keep you all in my prayers! In Jesus’ NAME!
Psoting another comment that was awainting moderation. This was originally posted at 3:33pm on March 27th.
——————————————————————————
Shawn was arrested on 18th March. At this time, the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2003 was in force. (see: link to Act removed ) Shawn was prosecuted under Section 74. This Act was essentially brought in to combat sectarianism, predominantly in the West of Scotland. This is how it has been used according to this study, which show that 97% of the prosecutions related to Roman Catholic / Protestant incidents. (see: lin to Resource/Doc/155706/0041794.pdf removed, especially chapter 3)
See also the Lord Advocate’s Advice on the nature of Religious prejudice:
“The legislation covers offences aggravated by religious prejudice towards any of the world’s major or minor religious groups or of groups which are perceived to have some form of religious affiliation.” (see: link to Resource/Doc/13425/0000136.pdf removed)
As I understand it, there is no such thing as a “hate crime”. An offence has to have been committed (such as assault). This Act is brought into play if such an offence has a religiously-based motive – in the eye of the victim, or any one else. The judge is then required to impose an additional sentence for the crime and state this clearly:
“an incident is aggravated by religious prejudice if it is perceived to be aggravated by religious prejudice by the victim or any other person”. (see: link removed to Resource/Doc/13425/0000136.pdf )
“Section 74 – Offences aggravated by religious prejudice
410. Section 74 makes provision to deal with offences that are aggravated by religious prejudice. At present, at common law the courts can take account of aggravations when sentencing. This provision requires them to do so and sets out the procedure that is to be followed by the Crown. For the provisions in the Bill to apply, the aggravation will require to be libelled in the indictment or specified in a complaint by the Crown and proved. “Religious prejudice” includes sectarian prejudice.
411. An offence is aggravated by religious prejudice not just on the basis of actual religious belief but on the accused’s perception of the religious, social, or cultural affiliation of the individual or group targeted by the offender. The section requires a court to consider whether any element of religious prejudice is involved in an offence and if it finds that the offence has been aggravated by religious prejudice to take that factor into account when sentencing. The court is also required to state the extent of and reasons for any difference in the sentence from that which would have been given had the offence not been aggravated by religious prejudice. In line with the position in relation to common law aggravations, evidence from a single source is sufficient to prove the aggravation, i.e. corroboration is not required.”
See also Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2003: Commencement Order No. 1 Provisions: lin reomoved to Publications/2003/06/17469/22716:
“Section 74- Offences aggravated by religious prejudice
Section 74 makes provision to deal with offences that are aggravated by religious prejudice. Prior to commencement of this section, at common law the courts have been able to take account of such aggravations when sentencing. This provision now requires them to do so. For the provisions in the section to apply, the aggravation will require to be libelled in the indictment or specified in a complaint by the Crown and proved.
The section requires a court to consider whether any element of religious prejudice is involved in an offence and if it finds that the offence has been aggravated by religious prejudice to take that factor into account when sentencing. The court is also required to state the extent of and reasons for any difference in the sentence from that which would have been given had the offence not been aggravated by religious prejudice .”
This was the law in force at the time of the alleged offence.
Further, the 2003 Act did not allow for sexual orientation as an “aggrevation.” It only dealt with religious bodies.
My view is that it was a mistake for Shawn to plead guilty, and further, it was a miscarriage of justice for any supposed offence to have been considered “aggravated” by the judge as sexual orientation was not covered under the 2003 Act which applied when the supposed offence was committed.
On 24th March 2010, the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2009 came into force. This Act adds to the 2003 Act by including disability and sexual orientation as “aggravations”. However, an offence still has to be committed – an offence which could be prosecuted and conviction gained without any religious element. Once such a conviction is obtained, the sentence would be increased if it could be shown that there was a religious element involved. (see: link removed to /News/Releases/2010/03/23143524, and bbc news scotlan 8583550.stm , and /legislation/scotland/acts2009/pdf/asp_20090008_en.pdf and legislation/scotland/acts2009/en/aspen_20090008_en.pdf )
I am afraid that this reminds me of the problems caused by “well-meaning” preachers who have visited Israel (for example) – blundered in, rushed out and left a mess for those who reside and witness there to deal with. If anyone is going to a foreign country to preach, they need to do their home-work – and do it in conjunction with those who make a habit of doing it in the country in which they reside. This is the first case to my knowledge of any preacher being convicted under the legislation here – and preachers have been faithfully preaching the truth and handing out literature here for many years.
Having said all that, we still need to remember:
Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
To all Christian brethren who can get to Glasgow:
I am a member of a group called Christian Watch.
Amongst other things we have been running a campaign in Glasgow for much of tha past year(see http://www.csgwatch.com/bridget-mcconnell-culture-and-sport-glasgow-must-resign-or-be-sacked.html )
We intend, God willing, to hold two meetings in Glasgow on different themes on Tuesday, 6th April and Monday 12th April at the David Lloyd Centre ( Details and contact are on the above web-site.).
During the week between the meetings we intend to go out on the street in Glasgow.
You are hereby invited to join us.
You must be locked in prison and never allowed to talk to “normal” people again, mate.
Normal people like you?
Our forefathers fought the Nazi’s to protect freedom of speech.
wow… what a twist to this!!!
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1262310/Gay-rights-campaigner-condemns-1-000-fine-preacher-said-homosexuality-sin.html
man, the Lord is so merciful, it blows me away what He does for His saints and even when we mess up. He is once again allowing freedom of His Gospel on the streets from the looks of things… how much He loves even a nation like the UK! Praise God!
Some items relating to the above:
An articee at the Christian Institute Web-site: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/christian-preacher-fined-for-speaking-on-homosexuality/
Oh, I have just remembered, it will have to be TWO posts otherwise I will egt “awaiting moderation” again!
There were also two letters in today’s Daily Mail. I will scan them and post them here later.
The second article on the Christian Institute web-site:
Christian street preacher case dismissed by judge. This was in ENGLAND, not Scotland: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/christian-street-preacher-case-dismissed-by-judge/
First Letter to the Daily Mail:
Attack on our freedom
WHATEVER one might think about street preachers, it’s an outrage that one should be prosecuted at all for expressing an opinion, let alone fined £1,000.
The preacher’s mistake was to plead guilty. It should have been not guilty on the grounds of freedom of expression – Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).
As for the public order control of this right, he had been asked a question and was giving an answer. He was not the instigator, but was apparently being set up.
The Human Rights Act (1998) states that it is ‘unlawful for a public authority to act in a way which is incompatible with a convention right’.
In arresting, prosecuting and fining this preacher, it would appear the police, the procurator fiscal and sheriff all acted unlawfully in denying this preacher his right to freedom of expression and punishing him for exercising it.
The Scotland Act prohibits the Executive from making laws that interfere with the individual’s rights under the ECHR.
Whether or not it was intended will be best known to the Labour Executive that introduced it, but Section 74 of the Criminal Justice Act (2003) has now been used to stop an individual from exercising his right to freedom of expression and should be repealed as being contrary to the Scotland Act and thus unlawful.
The ECHR is based on our own common law rights and. was established in Europe to stop fascism from ever again rearing its ugly head.
These rights are the individual’s protection against the totalitarian state and are an essential component of a liberal democracy.
Now that function has been perverted and used by the PC fascists, not only to deny a fundamental right, but in effect to impose their opinions on the rest of us.
Worse still, this has now been supported in a court of law and a precedent set. If this is allowed to go unchecked, who is going to be next, and where as a society are we going to end up?
Name and address supplied.
Second Letter to the Daily Mail
WHAT kind of police force would hide behind their desks when Christians were offended by religious prejudice as the Bible was defaced and ripped apart in a Glasgow exhibition, then arrest a Christian for preaching the contents of the Bible on which the court oath is taken?
A P, Giffnock, Glasgow.
Dally Mall, Wednesday, March 31,2010
Another article of interest from the Daily Mail web-site today.
It is an article by Richard Littlejohn entitled:
they accuse Basil Brush and Prince Charles of hate crimes and let the real villians off scot-free.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-1262408/They-accuse-Basil-Brush-Prince-Charles-hate-crimes-let-real-villains-scot-free.html
Here is a link to some of the newspaper items mentioned above. They are pdf files:
http://www.csgwatch.com/media-coverage.html
Pablo tambien sufrió y no por eso dejó de decir la verdad, ánimo, Dios no te deja solo.
Blessings
Shawn, a very serious invitation. Come on back over here, and come to Glasgow with me, and together we’ll preach the gospel, we’ll tell them you were right first time round, sodomy’s sin, how about it bro? JRH
Don’t you guys get it? Now that Shawn has been convicted (by his own choice, of course) of a hate crime, he won’t be ALLOWED back into this country! Go figure!