British pastor Mick Fleming was recently cautioned by a police officer that a Bible verse displayed on the back of his campervan could potentially be viewed as “hate speech” if someone were to file a complaint. The verse in question was John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.”
The incident took place at a petrol station in Burnley, Lancashire. Fleming, who leads Church on the Street Ministries and lives in his van as part of his outreach, said the officer gave him a “friendly warning,” stating, “A bit of advice, the writing could be seen as hate speech in the wrong context. I am just giving you a heads up.”
Fleming clarified that there was no formal investigation but expressed concern over the implications. “Maybe society is moving to a place where they do not want faith-based people sat around a table in discussion with them,” he said.
