By BosNewsLife News Center with reporting by BosNewsLife's Stefan J. Bos
![James McConnell]()
BELFAST/LONDON (BosNewsLife)-- An outspoken evangelical pastor who called Islam "satanic" and a "doctrine spawned in hell" has been found not guilty of broadcasting hate speech by a Belfast court. The acquittal of Senior Pastor James McConnell was welcomed by the Evangelical Alliance Northern Ireland, part of a group representing two million British evangelical Christians. "Today's verdict is a victory for common sense and freedom of speech," the group told BosNewsLife in a statement. However it also cautioned that "until the law is changed or clear guidance is issued, there will still be concern about further prosecution" of Christians.
BELFAST/LONDON (BosNewsLife)-- An outspoken evangelical pastor who called Islam "satanic" and a "doctrine spawned in hell" has been found not guilty of broadcasting hate speech by a Belfast court. The acquittal of Senior Pastor James McConnell was welcomed by the Evangelical Alliance Northern Ireland, part of a group representing two million British evangelical Christians. "Today's verdict is a victory for common sense and freedom of speech," the group told BosNewsLife in a statement. However it also cautioned that "until the law is changed or clear guidance is issued, there will still be concern about further prosecution" of Christians.
