Swedish minister acquitted of hate speech charges

[WanderAimlessly]

A supprising ruling from the highly secular Sweeden:

Swedish minister acquitted of hate speech charges
Called homosexuality a ‘deep cancer tumor’ on society
Posted: November 29, 2005
10:04 a.m. Eastern
© 2005 WorldNetDaily.com

The Swedish Supreme Court has acquitted a pentecostal minister of charges he violated the nation’s hate-speech laws when he labeled homosexuality a “deep cancer tumor” on society during a sermon two years ago.

Full Story

PF

 

[mlchance]

Not that surprising. The same court that acquitted him also said that their decision isn’t a green light for other people to speak out against homosexuality. Pastor Ake, the acquitted man, has also said he won’t be speaking out on the subject again.

Can we say, “Chilling effect”?

– Mark L. Chance.

 

[Guar_Fan]

I am not sure whether Pastor Ake Green feels a chilling effect:

‘‘This is great for freedom of religion and speech,’’ Green, 64, told The Associated Press by telephone from his home on the island of Oland, off Sweden’s southeastern coast. ``It feels great that we get to keep that.’’

Even so, Green said he would not deliver any more sermons about homosexuals.

‘‘I don’t need to,’’ he said. ``I have said so clearly where I stand on the issue.’’

miami.com/mld/miamiherald/living/religion/13288529.htm

 

[mlchance]

Guar Fan:

I am not sure whether Pastor Ake Green feels a chilling effect…

Your own source notes that:

Green said he would not deliver any more sermons about homosexuals.

The lesson has been taught. Speak the truth, and those who object will drag you through the courts (and the mud) as punishment.

– Mark L. Chance.

 

[Siena]

LESSON—

Yep- you’ll probably get off, but is it worth 2 years of your life in court, and an unknown amount of $$$$ in legal fees???

Most people will say “no”

 

[Guar_Fan]

Siena:

LESSON—
Yep- you’ll probably get off, but is it worth 2 years of your life in court, and an unknown amount of $$$$ in legal fees???
"

But the fight has been won. There is now precedent, which makes future cases less likely.

 

[mlchance]

Guar Fan:

But the fight has been won. There is now precedent, which makes future cases less likely.

As Gerswhin observed, “It ain’t necessarily so.” Johan Munck is Chairman of the Swedish Supreme Court. He warned others: “I don’t believe this gives the green light for similar sermons.”

At least that is more reserved than Member of Parliament Birgitta Rydberg who said that Ake Green would probably go to hell when he dies. “That’s where you go if you call yourself a Christian and defy the Christian message of love,” she noted.

– Mark L. Chance.