UK LGBT activists threaten to burn down church, attack pastor over Facebook post

Labour Party Councillor Stephen Hick demands pastor be deported for saying Pride cancellation is 'wonderful news'

By Christian Today, Sunday, September 13, 2020

A councillor in Cornwall is calling for the deportation of an Australian pastor who welcomed the cancellation of the local LGBT Pride event. 

Stephen Hick, Newquay Town Councillor and Cornwall Pride leader, said in a letter to Home Secretary Priti Patel that Pastor Josh Williamson was a "hate preacher" and should be deported back to his native Australia.

Pastor Williamson, of Newquay Baptist Church, angered the LGBT community when he wrote on Facebook that the cancellation of this year's LGBT Pride event was "wonderful news."

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In the ensuing backlash, LGBT activists threatened violence against the pastor and his wife, and called for the church to be burned down. 

When Cornwall police spoke to Williamson, they warned him to restrict his views to a "safe environment" and refrain from offending the LGBT community in the future, according to Christian Concern which is assisting him. 

In his letter to Patel, Hick wrote: "Josh Williamson's ministry has caused harm to members of the community of Newquay and the wider LGBTQ+ community across Cornwall.

"I believe his continued presence, preaching the hate that he does, presents a continuing harm to the same communities.

"I am unaware of the previous ministry of this particular church, but a foreign preacher travelling to the UK to promote and potentially act upon extremist views should be treated with the utmost seriousness."

Hick has also called on businesses in the Newquay area to refuse services to the pastor and the church. 

Writing in the Newquay Voice, Hick said: "I call on every individual and business within Newquay to deny him and his church the ability to spread their odious message. Do not interact with them, do not allow them to use your premises, do not accept their message." 

Responding to the call, the pastor said Hick's comments were "textbook bullying." 

"I am not sure how Mr. Hick is going to identify those connected with our church, perhaps he'll want us to wear a yellow cross on our shirts?" he said. 

Christian Concern called the councillor's words "chilling." 

"We are continuing to support Josh and his church and call on Mr Hick to retract these vindictive comments," it said. 

"Jesus taught us to love even those who hate us. ... Pray for Josh and pray for Stephen Hick."

Originally published at Christian Today