A firebrand pastor from Northern Ireland who called Islam “satanic” has insisted he will continue to preach the same message.
Pastor James McConnell was speaking after appearing in court in Belfast flanked by 1,000 supporters on charges linked to his controversial sermon.
Addressing supporters outside the court, Pastor McConnell said: “I will not go back on what I preached.”
To loud cheers from the crowd, the 78-year-old added: “I’m not guilty and I’m pleading not guilty. “I want to be exonerated, I want acquitted, I want rid of all this. But as soon as I’m rid of all this I’ll be preaching the same message.”
Some of the Pastor’s supporters held placards declaring “Christianity under persecution” and “Evil Sharia law is not welcome in our country.”
Pastor McConnell is facing charges over remarks made in an internet-broadcast sermon he delivered at his Whitewell Metropolitan Tabernacle in North Belfast on May 18 last year.
He said “a new evil had arisen” and “there are cells of Muslims right throughout Britain. Islam is heathen, Islam is satanic, Islam is a doctrine spawned in hell.”
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Pastor McConnell was later questioned by police about his remarks and issued a public apology for any offence caused.
However, earlier this year it emerged he would be prosecuted over the comments. He is accused of improper use of a public electronic communications network, and causing a grossly offensive to be sent by means of a public electronic communications network.
Addressing a packed courtroom this morning, Pastor McConnell’s solicitor, Joe Rice, insisted: “He did not incite hatred or encourage violence against Muslims. “He simply expressed his view about another religion, not in a personalised manner but in an entirely generalised way. He believes freedom of speech – he’s a member of the clergy in Northern Ireland – should mean he has every right to criticise Islam and other religions, just as Islamic clerics have the right to criticise him and Christian clerics.”
Mr Rice told the court: “We are pleading not guilty – a very candid not guilty.”
The case was adjourned to September 3.
