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Christian Preacher not guilty over Islamic comments

Christian preacher James McConnell gave a sermon at a Belfast church back in 2014 saying: "Islam is heathen, Islam is satanic, Islam is a doctrine spawned in hell." He also said "People say there are good Muslims in Britain - that may be so - but I don't trust them." He was subsequently charged with causing a grossly offensive message to be sent by means of a public electronic communications network. It was a charge he denied and was found not guilty. The judge said that while he considered the remarks offensive, he did not consider them "grossly" offensive under the law. Speaking outside court, Mr McConnell said his only regret was the response from the Muslim community that he was "out to hurt them". He also said he would do it again, but would be conscious that he was "hurting innocent Muslims". Should Pastor McConnell have been found not guilty or is he does have the right to say what he believes? Two callers share their views with Sheetal.

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