PASTOR James McConnell, an evangelical preacher from Belfast who called Islam "satanic" and "heathen", appeared at Belfast magistrate’s court last week.
After hearing depositions from both the prosecution and defence legal teams, the court adjourned the case until September 3.
Pastor McConnell, 78, appeared on charges relating to a sermon he preached at the Whitewell Metropolitan Tabernacle in North Belfast last year. During the sermon, which was broadcast on the internet, Pastor McConnell said "a new evil had arisen" and "there are cells of Muslims right throughout Britain".
He added: "Islam is heathen, Islam is satanic, Islam is a doctrine spawned in hell.”
PSNI officers questioned the preacher shortly after the broadcast was brought to their attention.
Pastor McConnell was subsequently charged with improper use of a public electronic communications network and causing a grossly offensive message to be sent by means of a public electronic communications network.
Belfast magistrates' court heard from Pastor McConnell’s solicitor Joe Rice that he denies "moral or legal culpability" on the charges.
His solicitor said Pastor McConnell "did not incite hatred or encourage violence against Muslims".
"He simply expressed his view about another religion, not in a personalised manner but in an entirely generalised way," he added.
Mr Rice further told the court that Pastor McConnell believed freedom of speech "should mean he has every right to criticise Islam and other religions, just as Islamic clerics have the right to criticise him and Christian clerics".
"We are pleading not guilty—- a very candid not guilty," the solicitor said.
He added that the case was "one of the most bizarre, peculiar, I have ever seen before these courts".
A prosecution lawyer told the court that prosecution witness statements will be available at the next court appearance.
More than 1,000 people gathered outside Laganside court complex in support of the preacher, including DUP MP Sammy Wilson. They cheered the preacher and sung hymns, while some held placards aloft saying, 'Christianity under persecution' and 'Evil Sharia law is not welcome in our country'.
Pastor McConnell addressed his supporters outside the court, saying: "I'm not guilty and I'm pleading not guilty. I want to be exonerated, I want acquitted, I want rid of all this. But as soon as I'm rid of all this I'll be preaching the same message."
He added, “We need God to move in this country, and we need sensible people running this country.”
See More: Court Appearance, Pastor James McConnell
