British Christians Charged with Thought Crimes—for Praying, Acquitted

It disgusts liberty lovers that a British Christian woman, arrested for praying silently near an abortion clinic in England, felt she had to say, “I’m glad I’ve been vindicated of any wrongdoing,” according to the Washington Times, following her acquittal in court.

Vindication should be reserved for those whose assertions, opinions, warnings, etc. have been subsequently proven correct. In this case, the God-given right to free speech and thought—to pray silently—needs no vindication.

As Isabel Vaughan-Spruce added, “I should never have been arrested for my thoughts and treated like a criminal simply for silently praying on a public street.” How can that not be obvious, especially in a nation that formerly revered freedom of speech and other civil/human rights?

Along with Vaughan-Spruce, A Catholic priest, Father Sean Gough, was also charged after praying silently outside the British Pregnancy Advisory Service clinic in the city’s Kings Norton neighborhood.”

It appears in the U.K. the “Divine Right of Kings” has been resurrected as the Divine Right of the Left, and people can now be arrested for speaking (or thinking or praying) in a way the royally radical left doesn’t approve.

To show this sane acquittal is not necessarily a sign of a return to true British justice, the Times also reported, “Although the Crown Prosecution Service declined to advance either case, both were warned the charges against them could be revived if additional evidence surfaced.”

What would be “additional evidence” of a “crime” related to silently praying?

Police did not arrest Father Gough the day the pair protested but filed charges against him later. The priest’s additional crime was “holding a sign reading, ‘Praying for Freedom Speech.” The police alleged this “violated the clinic’s protection order.”

To make matters even more ludicrous, “the clinic… was closed, and no clients were in the vicinity….”

The Daily citizen reported, “No one should be criminalized for their thoughts,” said Isabel Vaughan-Spruce on the courthouse steps.” She is so obviously correct. That a person’s right to freedom of speech is even a question in modern England, Canada, or even America should be repugnant.

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Steve Pomper

Steve Pomper is an author, freelance writer, and retired Seattle police officer. During his career, he served as a field training officer, on the Community Police Team, and as a mountain bike patrol coordinator. He’s written five books, including The Obama Gang and De-Policing America, and he is a contributor to the National Police Association and a freelance writer for The Tatum Report.

Originally from New England, he’s a Boston sports fan. He now lives in the Pacific Northwest with his wife, Jody, a retired firefighter. He enjoys spending time with his adult kids and three grandchildren.