Pastor John Sherwood was arrested last week for preaching from the end of Genesis as he explained the biblical definition of marriage in a nopen area near Uxbridge Underground Station. Sherwood was forcefully removed by police from his platform for being accused of making “homophobic statements” and arrested under the Public Order Act because they said he used ‘abusive or insulting words.’
Sherwood was released within 24 hours without any charges, and UK’s Daily Mail reports testimony he gave since the arrest saying, “I wasn’t making any homophobic comments. I was just defining marriage as a relationship between a man and a woman. I was only saying what the Bible says. I wasn’t wanting to hurt anyone or cause offense.”
Sherwood affirmed, “I was doing what my job description says which is to preach the gospel in open air as well as in a church building.”
He explained to the police that he was “exercising my religious liberty and my conscience.” He then confirmed the reports of being roughed up and said he has some injuries to his wrist and elbow after police forcefully removed the 71-year-old pastor from the area. “I do believe I was treated shamefully. It should never have happened,” he said.
The incident has been sent to the Crown Prosecution Service for further review.