Australian Pastor Awarded for Faithfulness amid Islamic Uproar
Thursday, Feb. 1, 2007 Posted: 3:03:57PM EST
NEW YORK - Daniel Scot, an Australian Assemblies of God pastor accused of “vilifying” Islam, received the Kairos Journal Award for rejecting to “compromise truth for fear of jail.”
The minister accepted the honor on Jan. 26 during an awards dinner at New York’s Metropolitan Club in front of Christian leaders from all around the world.
The annual award is given to leaders who respond to what the journal calls “kairos moments.” This refers to any forward action that is taken by a Christian during a crucial time period.
Scot was testified as demonstrating faithfulness to Scripture and pastoral bravery.
In 2002, the A/G preacher was the first person to be indicted and convicted upon the newly set Racial and Religious Tolerance Act. According to the law, any type of religious criticism became considered a hate crime.
After giving a carefully discussed sermon and a series of lectures on the Koran, three converts from the Islamic Council of Victoria had complained to the authorities about Scot. They argued that he had “vilified” Islam, calling all Muslims “demons.”
Following the accusation, a four year legal battle ensued. Initially, Scot was found guilty and ordered to make a series of advertisements apologizing to Muslims in Melbourne, a cost of $50,000. The pastor refused and put in for an appeal. He felt it would discredit the gospel if he renounced what he had said.
Two years later, the Victorian Supreme Court reversed the decision, saying that the pastor had only offered fellow Christians insight into what the Koran said about salvation.
The total cost for the court cases amounted up to $500,000.
Living in highly Muslim Pakistan for many years, Scot has a large understanding of the Koran and Islam. The minister even taught at the University of Punjab, a school normally reserved for Muslims. Scot was allowed to teach there after passing an examination on the religion.
Mark Durie, vicar of St. Mary’s Anglican Church, Caulfield, in Melbourne, discussed at the dinner Scot’s outreach for the Islamic religion. He noted the passion that the A/G minister has for sharing the gospel with Muslims.
According to Emmanuel Kampouris, founder of the Kairos Journal and retired American Standard CEO, Scot’s leadership and determination with Muslims make him the top candidate for the award.
“I think the pastor is the primary gatekeeper of any nation’s soul and, therefore, essential for societal change,” Kampouris said according to the Bapist Press. “[Nothing] good or bad happens without leadership.”
