Cornwall Ontario – The City of Cornwall seems to have blinked and now will allow Pastor Tom Newton of the Calvary Baptist Church in Cornwall to use public spaces at Lamoureux Park while the Jehovah’s Witnesses have their confab this year.
We broke the original story MAY 30th LINK
Pastor Newton published a note in the Cornwall Free Speech facebook group with an update:
Personal update on being banned from Lamoureux Park by the City. We were sent a response letter and scheduled a meeting:
The city (parks and recreations) is graciously allowing myself and our church to be in Cornwall’s public park – as they perceive it. The meeting went well. The city and our police force are trying to come up to speed in educating themselves about freedom of speech rights that each Canadian has, including here in Cornwall.
I summed up freedom speech to them this way: You have the freedom to listen, you have the freedom not to listen, you have the freedom to debate the issue in a civil way. We did try to clear up the wording in their response letter about the expression of free speech – the micro managing of what can be said and how. How to decide what is and is not a public disturbance is a very subjective evaluation, which the Charter of Rights and Freedoms does not cover, but our local police force must tackle.
Over all I think it was a profitable meeting for both sides. Now we will have to wait and see how they react this Saturday as we shall, Lord willing, be in the park. So thank you all for your prayers and words of encouragement. I am waiting to see if they keep their word- keep praying.
Eph 6:12 “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places”.
2Co 10:4-5 “(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ”.
After seeing the Update CFN reached out to the Pastor who responded:
Morning Jamie: The city (parks and recreations) is graciously allowing myself and our church to be in the park – as they perceive it. The meeting went well. The city and our police force are trying to come up to speed in educating themselves about freedom of speech rights that each Canadian has, including here in Cornwall. I summed up freedom speech to them this way: You have the freedom to listen, you have the freedom not to listen, you have the freedom to debate the issue in a civil way. We did try to clear up the wording in their response letter about the expression of free speech – the micro managing of what can be said and how. Over all I think it was a profitable meeting for both sides. Now we will have to wait and see how they react this Saturday as we shall, Lord willing, be in the park.
Pastor Tom Newton
The City of Cornwall is already in another Human Rights Tribunal case involving a woman being denied to go topless in contravention of laws allowing equal rights.
The crazy actions of Cornwall city council never ceases to amaze me,if they have two choices ,you can be sure that they will choose the wrong one. I hope that some supporters come out to support Pastor Newton especially while J Witness are in town enjoying there own right to free speech, it is for all.
Sidewalk, or public preaching should be restricted to small designated location in a corner of a park where people can go if they want to listen to it. Most people don’t want to be preached at about going to hell when they are out and about enjoying their day.
Furtz – you have it all wrong. I preach about the wonders and glories of Christ, and God’s gift of forgiveness of sins, peace with God, new life now and eternal life later. If you reject God’s gracious offer, He still is just in casting you, and others into Hell. You have only your self to blame.
I’m wondering if this was an original council decision or someone in the city’s upper management throwing their weight around. This combined with bobbygate gives one to wonder what city hall is using for brains. It obviously isn’t the brains in their heads, as common sense would prevail. It’s time to drain the swamp at city hall of councillors and upper management.
Yes, Newton… Your god will send me to hell. I get it. And I also understand that your cult (hate group) is considered a charity for tax purposes. Ain’t Canada grand?
I just came on and spotted Pastor Tom Newton on line and so glad to see that he is here. I don’t mind one bit if I was in the park in Cornwall and Pastor Tom preached about hell because that is where many souls are going when the Good Lord comes back and no amount of money will buy their way into the next life. I like and approve and respect Pastor Newton.
Furtz – isn’t God grand, you mean!
Yes Newton… It’s always handy to have an imaginary god to hide behind when your mission is to spread hate and bigotry. You are carrying on a tradition that goes back about two thousand years. Too bad you chose to immigrate to Canada to spread your bile. We don’t need it.
Pastor Newton God is fair and is going to punish many people with their sins. With this Boobeygate going on many will perish into the flames of hell. What a horrible society that we have today. I wish I could literally turn back the clock to the 50’s era and that is what kind of person I am. I hate living in this world today.
two thousand years ago – about the time wicked humanity crucified their Messiah – nothing has changed much. Sinners still hate God, and the good news of the Gospel. John 15:18 “If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you”.
That is so very true Pastor Newton and history always repeats itself. What went on thousands of years ago is going on today. People will be punished severely for their actions.
Jules.. The only way to “Eternal Bliss” is to eat at least two meals of pasta a week, and forget about all the crazy BS than Newton spews. Once you have been touched by the noodly appendage of The Flying Spaghetti Monster, you will understand the truth! And the cool thing is that you will be able to stop hating people you don’t even know. What a relief it would be to ditch all that hate… No?
Furtz we had spaghetti yesterday. This morning I fell on the bus going to the dermatologist with my daughter – I feel very weak today. Furtz I have heard words of hatred coming out of a couple of Greek Orthodox ladies and I was in shock many years ago and I don’t put the blame on Pastor Newton – you would be shocked to know the hatred of some others. Hatred divided my family on both sides.
Jules, If you are concerned about the hate and bigotry that is so prevalent these days, I would think that you would totally reject Newton and his hateful message based on asinine bible quotes. He actually makes a living by spewing his vile hatred. What I don’t get is how he was permitted into Canada from a foreign country to spread his nasty BS.
Furtz I am an RC and we Catholics have never been taught the Bible. I have a KJV Bible here in my dresser drawer given to us by a Baptist friend of ours. Every religion is different and I do know that the Baptists are very strict in their ways. I had hubby put out a cigarette in Cornwall waiting for the bus because of a girl that I went to high school with in Cornwall was Baptist.
Jules, I was raised in a religious Protestant (Presbyterian) family. By the time I was about ten years old, I realized that the lunacy being preached from the pulpit was nothing other than a crock of doo-doo. If a ten year old can spot the scam, what does that say about all the adults who still buy into the craziness? Talking snakes, burning bushes, eternal damnation.. Complete insanity..