Australian Pastors Ordered To Apologize For Vilifying Islam

In Australia, the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal has just issued a 140-page opinion (full text) and ordered a Remedy (full text) in the case of Islamic Council of Victoria v. Catch the Fire Ministries. According to a report today from News.com.au, the suit was the first to be heard under the Racial and Religious Tolerance Act of 2001. Plaintiffs alleged that two pastors had made statements disparaging Islam in a speech, a newsletter and on a website. The lengthy statements included claims that Islam was inherently violent and that Muslims were planning to impose their faith on Australia. The court ordered the Pastors to publish an apology in specified newspapers, in their newsletter and on their website. The Remedy order set out the text of the required statement. It also requires the Pastors to agree that they will not make similar statements in the future. At least one of the defendants, viewing this as a freedom of speech issue, says he would rather go to jail than apologize. The case is being appealed to the Supreme Court of Victoria.