by Madeleine Collins

Two Melbourne Christians found guilty of inciting hatred and severe ridicule against Muslims have vowed to fight the ruling.

Danny Nalliah and Daniel Scot of ‘Catch the Fire’ ministries became the first people to be convicted under Victoria’s controversial Racial and Religious Vilification Act in December when the judge found that they mocked Muslims in a church seminar.

The two pastors face a fine or a possible jail sentence.

The Islamic Council of Victoria filed legal action against the pair after two Muslims, encouraged by the Victorian Equal Opportunity Commission, attended the 2002 seminar.

In the Victorian Civil and Administration Tribunal Judge Michael Higgins said Mr Scot ‘made fun of Muslims’ that was not done in the context of a serious discussion.

Mr Scot, the Judge claimed, called Muslims liars and demons and said the Koran promoted killing.

“It was presented in a way that is essentially hostile, demeaning and derogatory of all Muslim people, their God Allah [and] the prophet Mohammed,” he said.

Judge Higgins said Mr Scot failed to differentiate between Islam throughout the world by focusing on “a literal version of the Koran and of Muslim practices that are not mainstream but more representative of a small group in the Gulf states”.

An article published on Catch the Fire’s website and a newsletter were also found to contain remarks that incited hatred and ridicule of Muslims, the Judge said.

Mr Nalliah is part of the Family First party and was unsuccessful in gaining a seat in Victoria in the last federal election.
After the verdict he told The Age that “we may have lost the battle but the war was not over. The law has to be removed, there is no question”.

The case dragged out over two years and attracted international attention. South Australia and Western Australia decided to drop plans to introduce similar laws.

The outcome has divided Christians. Among those in support of the ruling were the Uniting, Catholic and Anglican churches in Melbourne.

Social Justice and International Mission Director of the Uniting Church Dr Mark Zirnsak said “small Christian extremist groups are damaging the reputation and good name of the broader Christian community”.

Most evangelicals argued the verdict was a blow to truth and free speech, with the Presbyterian Church calling on the Victorian Government to rescind the anti-vilification legislation.

“Religious freedom has been seriously jeapordised,” said Presbyterian moderator, the Rev Dr Allan Harman. “[The] ability to critique another person’s position is integral to a free and democratic society.”