A debate exploring whether religious street preachers should be banned from Colchester's public spaces is set to take place in the city centre.
Forum Colchester will host the discussion at Queen Street Brewhouse on Sunday with the motion: “This House Would Ban Religious Street Preachers”.
The event will examine freedom of speech, religious expression and the use of shared public spaces, including whether people should have the right to preach their beliefs in public even when others find them unwelcome.
Writer and art curator Manick Govinda, who is travelling from Hastings for the event, will be a special guest.
He is the author of The Freedom to Blaspheme, which explores the challenges of defending freedom of speech in a multicultural society.
Forum Colchester co-founder Andrew McDonald, who will chair the debate, said: “We're very excited to welcome Manick to Forum Colchester.
“He's a strong defender of freedom of speech, so we're looking forward to hearing him make the case against the motion.”
The motion will be proposed by fellow co-founder William Hagerup, who has personal experience of religious street preaching.
He previously worked for a church that encouraged spreading its message in this way and spent years preaching in his hometown in Norway and later in London.
He has since left the church and his faith.
William said: “I actually have personal experience of street preaching.
"I worked in a church that believed in spreading its message that way, and for many years, before leaving the church and my faith, I could be seen on the streets of my hometown in Norway and later in London, microphone in hand, trying to persuade people to choose the right path.
“Perhaps that's why I'll be proposing this motion. But you'll have to come along to hear the reasons I give.”
Attendees will have the opportunity to hear arguments from both sides of the debate and ask questions during a question-and-answer session.
The event will take place at Queen Street Brewhouse, with doors opening at 4pm and the debate starting at 4.15pm. It is expected to finish at around 6pm.
The venue will also serve a range of ales, beers and other refreshments.
Tickets are available through Ticket Tailor at https://www.tickettailor.com/events/eventskklaagora/2419936, with further details available on the Forum Colchester Facebook event page.
Share