159: Warning Signs of Religious Persecution

The Washington Times reported last week on a story out of the United Kingdom. A man by the name of Adam Smith-Connor, a 20-year Army veteran, was arrested for anti-social behavior. Taken to court, he was convicted and fined nearly $12,000 and given 2 years of probabtion. What was his crime? Well, Adam Smith-Connor was standing on a street where there was an abortion clinic, with his back turned from the abortion clinic, he closed his eyes, bowed his head, and clasped his hands while he prayed silently. When confronted, he was arrested, taken to court and convicted. Now if he had been standing in the same posture, in the same location, but thinking about a math problem, or how to get to his next location on Google Maps, he would have been fine. His crime was, he was talking to God. They decided that that was harmful to the abortion clinic, convicted him of anti-social behavior, and this case becomes a precedent for the first ever thought-crime conviction in the United Kingdom. He’s guilty…of thinking thoughts of which the government does not approve. Well, that could nnever happen here, right? Well, let’s talk. Ericka Andersen, “A warning for all Christian organizations,” October 17, 2024. Daniel R. Suhr, “Jailed for exercising your right to free expression?” October 10, 2024. Bethel McGrew, “Pope Francis strays from doctrine…again,” September 23, 2024.