TWO of the state's most controversial religious groups have engaged in a holy war - of words - over alleged harassment and manipulation of parishioners.

In the District Court yesterday, Rundle Mall street preacher Caleb Corneloup accused Paradise Church of "twisting" the Bible to make millions from its followers.

The church, however, said street preachers had been insulting and offending parishioners every Sunday. It asked the court to ban them from going within 200m of their Currie St premises so they might worship in peace.

Judge Gordon Barrett granted the Church's injunction, saying any trial to settle the dispute was unlikely to be heard for several months.

Tom Duggan, for Assembly of God Paradise Inc, said the "picketing" had to stop.

"Last Sunday, there was a megaphone and two recording devices used to record images of parishioners," he said.

"Insulting and offensive language was used about officers of the church. We say it's very serious conduct and, very plainly, an obvious nuisance."

Mr Corneloup, representing Street Church Incorporated, said Paradise wanted to restrict the group's freedom of political speech.

He said that right was upheld when the Full Court of the Supreme Court refused to ban preaching in Rundle Mall. That decision is the subject of a High Court appeal.

"Our activities are political in nature," Mr Corneloup said.

"One issue is the misuse of the status of a not-for-profit organisation by Paradise Community Church, which makes huge profits and twists the Bible to make millions of dollars."

In his supporting affidavit, Mr Corneloup said he was "born in Paradise Church" and was concerned it had "left its beliefs and practices".

He says the church and "entities" like it "make huge profits and twist the Bible to manipulate people to give them millions of dollars".

In court, he said the injunction should be amended so the preachers could picket across the street from the church.

"The alleged issue of public nuisance will be dealt with and Your Honour will have taken into account the important freedom of political communication," he said.

Judge Barrett refused to censor Mr Corneloup's affidavit, which the church said was "scandalous". The case returns to court in August.

Originally published as Unholy church war breaks out in court