PART 3
By Shirley Edwards
August 24, 2013
NewsWithViews.com
The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly
No Offence Intended.
[These are my views as a woman living in England, on how the culture and spirit of my country has changed over 50 years. Why the country does not feel protected or strong any more, how it has lost, and is losing it values and decency, and how we are daily losing our free speech.]
Last month I attended a Speed Awareness Course. The consequence of driving outside the imposed limit of that area; this was my first criminal offence. I had been photographed and caught driving just over the limit in a 30 mile zone.
In the UK there are now over 6,000 speed cameras on our roads; this is not counting the 1.85 million CCTV cameras strategically placed within many cities and public buildings; and now there are also plans to install a new advanced digital speed camera, which can record your average speed before approaching regulated areas. This is ironically funded by the speed awareness courses, and will increase the number of speed cameras by 50%.
When the charge arrived through my letter box, I knew this was no ordinary mail. The colour of the envelope and the sight of the black and white chequered logo of the police force, as I opened the package; sent just a small quiver of trepidation through my system. Until I saw the cost I was hovering in a place called ‘shock or surprise’. Which would it be?
Whatever the outcome, the truth was I had broken a law. I’d done wrong.
The cost of the course was £85.00. This was my preferred choice and option against paying an immediate fine of £60 (soon to be increased) and having 3 points/penalties on my nice clean licence.
The temptation to pay the fine and get it over with and accept the penalties was great. After all, no-one need know. Sometimes we just want to take the medicine and get on with our lives, as quick as possible, and forget it. There is a lot to think about in the ordinary treadmill of our life, too much to think of, and the time to attend a course plus the extra cost is not always an option for many people.
The course was however, very informative and showed the consequences of driving over the speed limit, in the wrong area. It also highlighted the awareness we should have of hidden dangers and the possible outcome. The unexpected, which could damage the lives of ourselves and others. It was a course that possibly every driver should attend occasionally to awaken and shock them from their complacency to prevent disaster. However, looking around at some of the other people on the course I noticed quite a few people were wondering what they were doing there.
Life seems to sometimes be like that. It is only a personal shock to our system which awakens us from our slumber. You find yourself in unfamiliar surroundings, wondering what you did wrong or missed, careering into an uncomfortable predicament, and then looking like a rabbit caught in the headlights, you realize there is no way of reversing back to fix things.
I sometimes wonder how long it will be before people wake up to the fact that British life, with its continual loss of freedoms, imposed laws, unjust politically correct rules, and over the top persistent and invasive surveillance, are taking them on a road travelling well above the speed limit at an out of control pace; on a road to hell.
Will there be something or someone to cushion the blow, and will they find an ‘option’ when they reach their destination?
American street preacher, Tony Miano also recently found himself as well in the long arm of the law. He was well and truly ‘nicked’ preaching on a London street about the consequences of ‘sexual immorality’ according to the bible.
Mr Miano, who is a retired member of the Los Angeles Sheriff Department in America, was preaching in Wimbledon, where sports fans were gathering to watch the annual tennis championships. Rain called off play when a policeman approached him, after a member of the public reported him for ‘insulting’ people. He was arrested, taken to the police station, cautioned, questioned, and spent 7 hours in a police cell before being released.
From Lifesitenews.com:-
In a video of the arrest, a police officer can be heard telling Miano, “We’re arresting you under Section 5 of The Public Order Act. This is because people have been offended by what you’ve said.”
Miano says that he “tried to explain to the officers that there was nothing homophobic about my speech because I’m not afraid of homosexuals. That I love homosexuals enough to want to bring them the truth of the Gospel.”
He says he was preaching on 1 Thessalonians 4: 1-12, focusing on the teaching of the Bible on “both heterosexual immorality and homosexual immorality.” While doing so a woman approached him.
“She turned, glared at me and told me to ‘f-off,” he said. “I asked her why she was being so judgemental and that I would love to dialogue with her. “She then left, but later called police, who arrived and arrested Miano telling him he was guilty of using homophobic speech that could cause people anxiety, distress, alarm or insult.”
Section 5 of the Public Order Act, is a statute that has come under criticism for restricting freedom of speech. It is being used against people to criminalize them. The word ‘insulting’ can be used by anyone to report a perceived offence.
Though I believe in freedom of speech, I don’t understand why the lady who was so concerned about her fellow man wasn’t hauled in too. Was she responsible for causing Mr Miano distress and insult?
Mr Miano had been well within his rights to preach from the bible because British law is meant to protect the freedom of all religious expression.
Street preaching goes back to the prophets of both the Old and New Testament. Jesus Christ himself spread his message out in the ‘open air’ to anyone who wanted to listen. Street Preachers have long been a part of the British landscape throughout history. They have however often been persecuted.
You sometimes avoided them growing up. The threat of Armageddon and to repent of your sins, as times were drawing nigh, sometimes saw you crossing the road or averting your gaze. You didn’t want to hear their depressing message. But at least you could ignore them. And still you can, if you choose. And with the echo of their warning travelling through the air, you would sometimes smile or tremble as you travelled along. They were never considered ‘insulting’ then. They were not in your face personally ‘threatening’.
Miano alerted both heterosexual and homosexual people to the danger of un-natural sex; he wanted to tell people about the consequences, and left people with an individual option and choice. He did not threaten to personally harm, maim or kill anyone, or call anyone names, nor did he display offensive posters or pictures. His speech was not to incite violence against anyone. In a video clip of his speech I watched a small boy all alone walk up and listen. He did not seem intimidated or afraid. Genuine curiosity and closer inspection is what we all need.
Thank you Mr Miano for legally coming to my country, and being brave and caring enough to carry out the courage of your convictions.
For anyone who thinks preaching should be restricted to the inside of churches, many christian preachers are afraid to speak out about sin inside a church, never mind outside. They avoid it completely. They do not wish to offend anyone. They are afraid of being arrested, or considered hateful; when sometimes they are not. And some don’t care at all.
Section 5 of the Public order Act is confusing everyone, even our police force, and a cunning tool used by anyone who feels it their duty to police the country outside the confines of common sense. A common purpose initiative which makes people feel they are being responsible. Any mention of immorality, sex and sin, are now considered ‘insulting’ and labelled ‘hate speech’ to such advocates. Is it hateful to warn someone you care about they are in danger? Jesus did.
David
Cameron, the prime minister has also recently celebrated the passing
of the same-sex marriage bill, with royal assent, which now defines
that it is legal for men and women in the UK to get married to members
of the same sex. This was speeded through despite a lot of opposition
from the public and his own party for the implications on British
life it would create.
He is quoted as saying:
‘I’m personally proud of this,’ he said. ‘I think it’s a really good step. I’ve told the Bill team I’m now going to reassign them because, of course, all over the world people would have been watching this and we’ve set something of an example of how to pass good legislation in good time.
‘Many countries are going to want to copy this. I talk about how we’ve got to export more, so I’m going to export the Bill team.
'I think they can take it around the world.’
This means he could be racing round a street near you.
Mr Cameron is also quoted as saying: “Children who are uncertain about their sexuality could now know that marriage is for you whether you are gay or straight”.
There are many unseen dangers surrounding this statement which depend on what you believe marriage is. You have to either believe that marriage is as a result of God’s design to provide spiritual well-being and security for children, under certain spiritual laws, solely between a man and a woman; or else you believe that marriage is an ‘evolutionary’ requirement of men and women who wish to join with, whomsoever they choose. What do you believe? And are you entitled to a belief any more, without being arrested or labelled hateful, or the other popular label of ‘phobic’
Prior to this legislation, both homosexual and heterosexual people already did live together and some also married in civil ceremonies, which offered legal protections.
Therefore, why did David Cameron feel the need to legally change the whole definition of what marriage is? What is his real reason and is he looking out for everyone? Changing the meaning of words, and changing the meaning of marriage could be considered damaging. Are we being played off against each other? Toyed with? Is it ‘insulting’ to God.?
Many people do not see how this may affect the whole of life in Britain today. They think it is no big deal. It does not affect them yet. They think they believe in fairness and equality right now, but may not understand how it marginalizes and compromises us even more in our every day speech further down the road.
Are we, and are our children becoming indoctrinated?
What will become of Britain in the years to come?
The answer may lie in the difference between Mr Miano’s speech and Mr Cameron’s? Both were ‘firm’ on their belief and direction.
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I believe one possessed genuine choice, freedom and concern for others, and the other speech did not. Hiding behind the word ‘equality’ was the spirit of a force which wanted to destroy.
Is anyone looking out for you? I hope so.
If you come to the UK please be aware of the Highway Code and don’t get caught up in the speed its racing at. There are dangers, unexpected signs, camera’s and laws even the British are not always aware of. There are good preachers and hateful ones.
There are still some beautiful open roads and countryside left. Stop on the ‘right’ side of the road.
Click here for part -----> 1, 2, 3, 4,
© 2013 Shirley Edwards - All Rights Reserve
Sources:
1-
I
want to export gay marriage around the world, says Cameron as he speaks
of personal pride at party to celebrate new legislation.
2- Speed
Cameras are Coming back
3- Christian
arrested for calling homosexuality a 'sin' warns of 'real-life thought
police'
Share This ArticleShirley Edwards was born and lives in Great Britain. She has always worked in administration, but have also taught and studied complimentary health. In administrative roles, she has worked within The Church of England. She also worked for some years as a volunteer within the hospice movement.
Shirley has an interest in all health issues, loves the British countryside, and enjoys writing. She is thankful for talk radio and loves listening.
Shirley has always been concerned about the loss of freedoms in her country, also the demise of America, a country she loves for the original reasons on which it was founded. She believe in the Pursuit of Genuine Happiness.
E-Mail: eshirley02@gmail.com
