UK Pastor Warned That Bible Verse Is Hate Speech

A pastor from Burnley, England, has reported being warned by a police officer that a Bible verse displayed on his motorhome could be considered hate speech, despite no complaint having been filed.

Mick Fleming, 59, a well known local pastor who runs Church on the Street, an independent church and charity, said he was approached by an officer on October 27 while filling up at a petrol station. Fleming has sold most of his worldly possessions to live in his motorhome, which he calls his "Church on Wheels," and works with homeless people, addicts, and the poor.

The motorhome displays John 3:16 on the back, which reads:

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life."

"He just tapped me on the shoulder," Fleming told Premier Christian News. "He said, Don't be alarmed, but I just wanted to just mention the writing on the back of your van. You know, it could be seen as hate speech."

Fleming responded: "But it says For God so loved the world. That's the first line. That's the key, you know, love. I don't think it's hate speech."

The officer allegedly told Fleming he was simply giving him a "heads up" as to how the message might be perceived, despite nobody having complained. Fleming recalled the officer saying that "the writing could be seen as hate speech in the wrong context." The officer explained that if someone reported it, police would investigate and Fleming could "end up in trouble."

Fleming described the encounter as friendly. "He was a really nice guy, wasn't nasty or anything, and he said a bit of advice. He wasn't there to arrest me: it was just advisory," Fleming said in a video update.

Fleming is a church pastor whose work to alleviate poverty has been widely covered in the media. A former drug dealer, he experienced a dramatic conversion to Christianity and has since dedicated his life to ministry and charity work. He has been featured on BBC's Songs of Praise and received recognition from the Prince and Princess of Wales, who wrote a foreword to his book "Blown Away." Netflix is reportedly in talks to adapt his life story for the screen.

Fleming admitted he was surprised by the warning. "I just thought wow. I just wondered what people thought, where have we moved to as a country where a bit of Christian scripture on the back of a van can be seen as hateful or spiteful?" he said.

Despite the warning, Fleming says the incident has actually spread the message further. "It's been picked up by newspapers, and national press," Fleming said. "Now John 3:16 has gone all over the country."

The pastor says pushback should be seen as encouragement to believers. "As Christians, our faith has to be authentic. I'm not saying everyone has to give everything away, but you have to stand by your convictions. You have to stand on the truth of the Word of God, and you have to show people that you're living it out," he told Premier. "You've got a light in here that changes things. It doesn't argue and pull people down. It lifts people open."

Displaying religious texts publicly is generally lawful in the UK under freedom of expression. However, speech that is considered threatening or intended to stir up hatred against people based on protected characteristics such as religion or sexual orientation can be subject to criminal investigation under the Public Order Act 1986 and related legislation.

Premier Christian News has reached out to Lancashire Police for comment on the incident.

THE CRUSADER'S OPINION

"For God so loved the world" is now hate speech.

A police officer approached a pastor for displaying Scripture about God's love.

No complaint was filed. No crime was committed.

Yet the warning was given. Britain has criminalized the Gospel itself.

A verse about salvation is treated as a threat.

This is where the West has arrived.

Christians penalized for proclaiming Christ's love.

The darkness is closing in.

TAKE ACTION

Support religious freedom and defend the right to proclaim the Gospel publicly:

1. Christian Legal Centre (UK)
   Website: https://christianconcern.com
   Contact: info@christianconcern.com
   Action: The Christian Legal Centre defends Christians facing persecution for their faith in the UK. Donate to support their legal work. Request their briefing on religious freedom cases. Email them about Mick Fleming's case and ask how Christians can defend against similar warnings.
2. Church on the Street Burnley (Mick Fleming's Ministry)
   Website: https://www.cots-ministries.co.uk
   Action: Support Pastor Mick Fleming's work with homeless people, addicts, and the poor in Burnley. Donate to his ministry. Email to express support for his bold witness and his refusal to remove the Bible verse from his motorhome.
3. Christian Institute (UK)
   Website: https://www.christian.org.uk
   Contact: info@christian.org.uk | Phone: 0191 281 5664
   Action: The Christian Institute defends religious liberty and free speech in the UK. Donate to support their advocacy work. Request their materials on religious freedom to share with your church. Ask for updates on cases involving Christians facing police warnings for displaying Scripture.
4. CARE (Christian Action Research and Education)
   Website: https://care.org.uk
   Contact: mail@care.org.uk | Phone: 020 7233 0455
   Action: CARE campaigns for religious freedom in the UK. They have covered Pastor Fleming's story. Contact them to request resources on defending religious expression. Ask how Christians can respond when police issue warnings about displaying Scripture.
5. Contact Lancashire Police
   Lancashire Constabulary
   Email: info@lancashire.police.uk
   Phone: 101
   Action: Politely but firmly express concern that an officer warned a pastor about displaying John 3:16, a verse about God's love, as potential hate speech when no complaint was filed. Ask for clarification on police policy regarding religious expression. Request that officers receive training on religious freedom and freedom of speech.
6. Share the Story and Stand with Mick Fleming
   Action: Share Pastor Mick Fleming's story on social media. Use hashtags like #FreedomOfSpeech, #ReligiousFreedom, and #John316. Tell your church and Christian friends about the case. Display John 3:16 prominently. If you live in the UK, consider displaying Scripture on your vehicle or property as a statement of solidarity.

Talking Points for Emails and Conversations:

• "John 3:16 is about God's love for the world. How can a message of love be considered hate speech?"
• "Pastor Mick Fleming was warned by police about displaying Scripture when no complaint was even filed. This is overreach"
• "The UK is criminalizing Christian witness. Police are warning Christians about proclaiming the Gospel"
• "Freedom of religion and freedom of speech are fundamental rights. Displaying Bible verses is protected expression"
• "If John 3:16 can be called hate speech, then the Gospel itself is criminalized"
• "Christians in the UK must stand together and refuse to be intimidated into silence"
• "Pastor Mick Fleming gave up everything to serve the poor and homeless. He should be commended, not warned by police"