The leftist war against Christianity has met with a welcome set back in Belfast.
A byelaw in the city which sought to limit the volume of street preaching will be redrafted, after being rejected by councillors.
The new rules included restrictions on amplification for street preachers and buskers to 70 decibels, the level of a vacuum cleaner or washing machine, or be fined £500. Both the DUP and Alliance opposed it, with the former saying it went too far, and the latter seeking more restrictive measures.
Proponents claim the limit is needed to reduce noise in the city, but critics have pointed out that other loud activities such as pickets, charity collections and parades are exempt, and have warned that it attempts to “effectively ban open air preaching”.
Nora Largey, the City Solicitor, explained to the Council’s Committee: “There was a general consensus there were some performers, and when we say performers we include anybody who uses amplification in the city centre, who are simply too loud.”
Alliance Councillor Jenna Maghie, however, said she believes the proposals don’t go far enough, and specifically called for a bigger fine and a ban on graphic images used by pro-life campaigners.
DUP Alderman Dean McCullough said his party could not support a 70 decibel limit “that renders amplification effectively useless”.
He told the City Council: “From the outset, these bye-laws were driven by a desire to target certain groups, primarily street preachers and the pro-life witnesses.”
McCullough continued: “We heard references to so-called hate preachers, whatever that means, and we all sat through the debates on graphic imagery. We were told that showing the reality of abortion was too graphic.”
One suggested rule was that street preachers should be required to get a permit, but McCullough stated: “What utter folly on the part of some far-left councillors to believe that street preachers, members of the most persecuted religion on Earth, would ever seek or need their permission to preach.”
He added: “Jesus Christ is Lord. It is Christmas, and I don’t need a permit from this council to proclaim that.”