WATCH: Man Arrested For Reading Bible Verses At Pride Event - 'Jesus Said Go And Sin No More'

Christians are continuing to be under attack for practicing their faith as a man in Pennsylvania was arrested Saturday morning after he began quoting verses from the Bible during a pride event that took place in the town of Reading.

The man, Damon Atkins, attended the city’s first ‘Pride March and Rally’ that was held outside the city hall, according to the Lancaster Patriot. Atkins was standing on the sidewalk next to the rally holding a sign that read, “Jesus said go and sin no more” while reading Bible verses to the attendees of the pride event.

The officer, who has been identified as Police Sergeant Bradley T. McClure, approached Atkins and told the man to stop and “let them have their day.” The Christian explained how the event was taking place on public land, which even Officer McClure agreed to, thus allowing Atkins to continue along with his protest of the event.

The interaction seemed to have ended with the officer walking off, but as Atkins began to say “God is not-,” the officer cut him off stating that he had had enough, and began handcuffing the Christian man. We now know that Atkins had intended to say 1 Corinthians 14:33, which reads “For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.” 

Atkins was arrested for “Disorderly Conduct Engage in Fighting,” with McClure later filing an affidavit of probable cause. The document revealed that the officer had told Atkins he “was free to stand on that side of the street and hold his sign” but “he could not cross the street nor yell comments intended to disrupt the event.”

The affidavit also claims that Atkins agreed to those conditions which he would have violated but the Christian protestor adamantly denies ever agreeing to any terms nor is there any video evidence of him doing so.

The arrest done by Officer McClure is a clear violation of the First Amendment pertaining to the freedom of religion, freedom of speech, and right to protest. It’s almost impressive that he successfully trampled over three different American rights at once but it’s undoubtedly concerning that Atkins was denied his rights so blatantly. 

When protestors in Black Lives Matter can ransack cities and commit arson only to be considered ‘peaceful protestors’ and heroes, it’s sad that someone who is actually a peaceful protester sharing a good message is suppressed. It’s clear that the LGBTQ community has become a protected class in America that can even trample upon the rights of citizens.