As remembrance Sunday approaches, how ironic it is that a former soldier has been convicted for bowing his head and standing in silent prayer. It’s ironic, and deeply troubling. Adam Smith-Connor was found guilty of breaching a so-called ‘buffer zone’ near to an abortion clinic in Bournemouth. The father of two had formerly served for our country’s armed forces in Afghanistan. But as a civilian here in the UK he has been found guilty for the thoughts in his head and ordered to pay £9,000 in prosecution costs.
ET staff writer
Let me just say, at the outset, that I believe prayer is effective wherever you may be standing. You don’t necessarily need to be in the vicinity of an abortion clinic to pray about the issue. You can easily pray anywhere, and God hears your prayers. One may reasonably question the wisdom of anyone who deliberately acts to breach a buffer zone. But the principle of being convicted in a criminal court for the thoughts in your head is a deeply sinister one. It is especially unjust when pro-lifers and pro-abortionists appear to be treated differently.
