Upcoming Court Hearing for Bremer Clergyman Over Seditious Charges: Resistance Against Fines Impositions
For quite some time, this situation has been causing a stir in the courts of Bremen. In 2019, the leader of a self-proclaimed "Bible-sticking" church in Bremen made derogatory remarks about homosexuality and homosexuals during a so-called marriage workshop. He referred to them as "degraded forms of society" and "criminals." A recording of this was shared online, resulting in charges being brought against him by the Bremen public prosecutor's office.
In 2021, the Bremen Local Court found the man guilty of inciting hatred and fined him 8,100 euros. However, the Bremen Regional Court overturned this decision in 2022, declaring him not guilty, citing guidance from the Federal Constitutional Court. The Bremen Higher Regional Court then overturned this decision henceforth last year, sending the case back to the Regional Court. The trial, which had been scheduled to start on Wednesday, concluded on the first day with a settlement.
The settlement is binding, as long as the man pays the fine within six months. It's reported that a public apology from the defendant was part of the agreement. The extended time since the incident and the protracted nature of the proceedings also played a part. The uncertain future timeline was also taken into account.
This matter has been a prolonged concern for the Protestant Church in Bremen. The pastor is a well-known figure who represents a very fundamentalist interpretation of faith across the country. His congregation openly stands by him. In 2020, the church initiated disciplinary action and temporarily suspended him from his duties. However, due to legal considerations, a resolution was reached in 2021, permitting him to continue his activities.
The church's disciplinary action against the pastor in 2020 was partly due to his derogatory remarks about homosexuality in 2019. Despite facing charges and trials, the pastor's views on homosexuality as "degraded forms of society" and "criminals" are still a subject of debate among his followers and critics.
