Christian hotel owners hauled before court after defending their beliefs in discussion with Muslim guest:

A Christian couple have been charged with a criminal offence after taking part in what they regarded as a reasonable discussion about religion with guests at their hotel.

Ben and Sharon Vogelenzang were arrested after a Muslim woman complained to police that she had been offended by their comments. They have been charged under public order laws with using 'threatening, abusive or insulting words' that were 'religiously aggravated'. The couple, whose trial has been set for December, face a fine of up to £5,000 and a criminal record if they are convicted.

Although the facts are disputed, it is thought that during the conversation the couple were challenged over their Christian beliefs. It is understood that they suggested that Mohammed, the founder of Islam, was a warlord and that traditional Muslim dress for women was a form of bondage. They deny, however, that their comments were threatening and argue that they had every right to defend and explain their beliefs.

Even if they "win", the business they've built together has already been utterly destroyed.

Other than a death threat, nothing a free human being could say regarding religion should end up with them facing jail time. "Defaming Mohammad" is typically a crime in Islamic nations — so the UK has decided it is one, now?

No doubt the claim will be that this couple "attacked" someone else's religion. Doesn't Richard Dawkins, an Englishman, regularly attack other people's religions quite publicly, frequently on the BBC license-payer's dime? Don't score of other atheists do likewise in less prominent forums? And don't Imams often say critical things about non-Muslims? Any arrests for similar offenses among these groups? No?

And, all that aside, wasn't couple's statement actually factually true?