Thursday 21 June 2012

Militant Atheist Pensioner Of The Week

From The Boston Standard:

A DEFIANT pensioner is planning to stand up for his beliefs by putting an atheist poster in his front window – even though police have advised him not to. John Richards was told by officers that he may face arrest if he put up the sign at his Vauxhall Road home, as it could breach the Public Order Act by distressing passers by.

But Mr Richards has decided to stand up for his beliefs, and stick the poster up, saying that such action implies a threat to free speech. The sign states ‘religions are fairy stories for adults’...


The article was then updated with a sort-of-back-pedal-but-leave-our-options-open response from the local cops.

Via APILN

8 comments:

Sarton Bander said...

Wow the police seem to have gone Full Retard.

Edward Spalton said...

As A Christian, I completely support Mr. Richard's right to express his opinion freely. I demand the right to be offended and Mr Richard's right to offend!

Scripture tells us we will face far worse than merely being offended, if we stand up for our faith.

Sean said...

The HRA has lead to a shift in culture in the judiciary and flowing down to the police.
Principles now come secondary to rules.

There is two ways we can go either 1, scrap it 2, make public servants ect. directly accountable to the public

neil craig said...

Sounds like a pain in the arse but I'd far rather share a country with him than with the gentle caring police who will kindly tell us they might be forced to arrest us for having opinions.

Mark Wadsworth said...

SB, yes they have.

Ed, thanks, in turn, it never occurred to me to be offended by posters outside churches.

S, I prefer option 1, if that's all right?

Tim Almond said...

If this guy had just said "let's call my solicitor to discuss this, shall we", the police would have crapped themselves.

The fuzz have a vague idea of what the law is, and just make stuff up on the hoof.

I'd fire 90% of them, and leave the ones that deal with serious crimes like GBH, rape etc and give people vouchers to spend on private security patrols. And you can have that as a YPP policy, if you like.

James Higham said...

Don't think it would distress too many today.

[Even though his position is idiocy of course]

Robin Smith said...

Ha ha. Atheists are the most fundamental "believers" Just goes to show that everyone has a belief. No point in denying it. Just let go...