Further to our recent post about the banning of leaflet distribution and the displaying of posters in the centre of Uxbridge (see here), the Council have said that we are now in fact free to distribute religious literature under The Environmental Protection Act 1990. In other words, the London Borough of Hillingdon has now granted us exemption from the PSPO (Public Spaces Protection Order) which had prohibited us from handing out gospel tracts. We are thankful to the Lord for this.
However, the Council is still saying that we cannot display Bible posters under the PSPO, but exhibiting the word of God is a vital part of our gospel witness, and for the Council to claim that such activity constitutes ‘anti-social’ behaviour must be firmly resisted. Indeed, to include the display of God’s word in the same category as legislation designed to prevent urinating and defecating in the street is frankly insulting. The clear implication is that the public needs protecting from the Bible.
Let us remember that at the recent coronation service the King was handed a Bible and was told, “To keep your Majesty ever mindful of the law, and the gospel of God, as the rule for the whole life and government of Christian princes, we present you with this book, the most valuable thing that this world affords. Here is wisdom; this is the royal law; these are the lively oracles of God”.
In the light of this Biblical foundation of our nation’s constitution, it is most distressing that the Borough of Hillingdon regards posters displaying Bible verses and teachings as being contrary to the well-being of society and as an anti-social act from which people must be protected.