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Australian Pastors reject apology order over Koran comments
A Christian pastor found guilty of vilifying muslims says he is
prepared to go to jail in protest over Victoria's racial tolerance
laws.
Two Australian pastors involved with the Catch the Fire Ministries were last
year found to have vilified Muslims at a Christian conference, and on
a website, by suggesting the Koran promotes violence and terrorism.
"I will do everything I can, even if I have to go to prison, to make
sure the vilification laws, the religious part of the vilification
laws, be removed from the state of Victoria," Pastor Nalliah said.
"Right from the beginning we have stated we will not apologise, we
will go to prison for standing for the truth."
Photo credits:
St John Catholic _____________________
The tribunal says an apology is appropriate.
It has ordered the pastors to publish a statement acknowledging their
legal breach and has requested an undertaking the comments would not
be repeated.
The two pastors involved with the Catch the Fire Ministries were last
year found to have vilified Muslims at a Christian conference, and on
a website, by suggesting the Koran promotes violence and terrorism.
Outside the tribunal Pastor Daniel Nalliah said the legislation is
flawed.
"I will do everything I can, even if I have to go to prison, to make
sure the vilification laws, the religious part of the vilification
laws, be removed from the state of Victoria," Pastor Nalliah said.
"Right from the beginning we have stated we will not apologise, we
will go to prison for standing for the truth."
However the Islamic Council of Victoria has welcomed the ruling.
Waleed Aly from the council says the three-year legal battle was
justified.
"You've got to imagine that it's post September 11 Australia," Mr Aly
said.
"There's a lot of angst towards the Muslim community in the wider
Australian community.
"These sort of things are said, which if you speak to the Muslims who
are concerned themselves, they were fearful. I mean this was a
serious thing."
Story Credits: ABC
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