May 18, 2026

As if we needed further evidence that freedom of speech is gone in the UK, Fox News reports that Pastor Stephen Maile, 66, was double handcuffed and detained for 12 hours by Hertfordshire Constabulary officers on April 18 of this year.  Maile, pastor of Oasis City Church in Watford (outside London), was engaged in street preaching when officers approached him and rapidly restrained him.  During the restraint, Maile continued to preach, even urging the officers to repent and believe in Jesus Christ.  He is under investigation for allegedly committing a Section 5 public order offense (racially or religiously aggravated disorderly conduct).

During his sermon, Pastor Maile pointed out the violent history of Islam, and urged muslims to come to Jesus Christ and find salvation in Him.  Maile's expression of his belief that Islam is a false religion evidently resulted in someone in the crowd calling the police and making a complaint.  The UK based Christian Legal Centre is engaged in supporting Pastor Maile's case.  We pray that he will be vindicated, and that those who participated in his unjust detainment will be held accountable.  

One thing is clear, however.  So called hate speech laws are never applied consistently.  They are always geared toward suppressing particular ideas, as Stephen Maile's case demonstrates.  We want to be clear - our Islamic friends are welcome to say whatever they like about their religion and about ours.  But our God-given right to speak freely necessitates that we be allowed to do the same.