Queensland Australia: Jailed for stating homosexuality is a sin?
Christianity is being criminalised and the more it is, the more we lose our freedoms. What happened to George Youssef from the 'Operation 513' Team on the Gold Coast, because he shared the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ is a classic case in point.Friday night, 4 December 2015, for George Youssef and his team was like any other Friday night of the year. The Operation 513 street evangelism team gathered in the Cavill Mall, Surfers Paradise to share the good news of God's love through Jesus Christ. The name Operation 513 is taken from the words of Jesus found in Matthew 5:13, "You are the salt of the earth but what good is salt if it has lost its flavour"(NLT).
Many might call the 513 Team, 'Street Preachers', and argue that they are rather unusual but the truth of the matter is that George Youssef and his team come from a long line of street preachers. John Wesley, George Whitfield, St Francis of Assisi were all street preachers. The greatest street preacher of all time was Jesus Christ. Most of his messages were delivered outdoors.
At about 10.30PM that night a police sergeant told George and his team to 'move on' after he had mentioned some sins listed in the Bible. George and the group organiser, Ryan Hemelaar, asked for clarification.
The female sergeant then said, "You have mentioned sin and the sin of homosexuality and have said Jesus Christ is the only way and you have offended people".
Ryan vainly tried to explain that the group had official authorisation, so that under section 45 of the Police Powers and Responsibilities Act, they could not lawfully give a 'move on' order. George quietly stood his ground knowing that the Queensland 1992 Peaceful Assemblies Act was behind him. More police gathered. He was handcuffed, arrested and treated like a common criminal.
His case appears for mention on 2 February 2016, four days before the National Day of Prayer & Fasting.
Ryan vainly tried to explain that the group had official authorisation, so that under section 45 of the Police Powers and Responsibilities Act, they could not lawfully give a 'move on' order. George quietly stood his ground knowing that the Queensland 1992 Peaceful Assemblies Act was behind him. More police gathered. He was handcuffed, arrested and treated like a common criminal.
His case appears for mention on 2 February 2016, four days before the National Day of Prayer & Fasting.
