OPINION:
“Freedom for me and none for thee” has moved from a mere mantra to a disquieting, freedom-shattering reality in some sectors, with many citizens and government officials flagrantly forgetting the reality that liberty and justice are truly for all.
Arrests and court battles around the globe showcase what happens when people mistakenly assume their beliefs and whims are Gospel truths and, as a result, engage in attempts to snuff out the opposition and impede rivals’ freedom, speech and human rights.
Let’s briefly look at three arrests and legal battles that should have Christians on edge, engaged, and fighting for the continuance of their rights:
Christian street preacher handcuffed, detained
A man who attended a recent Pride rally in Reading, Pennsylvania, found himself arrested after joining those protesting the event.
Damon Atkins was handcuffed, arrested and charged with criminal disorderly conduct, with footage of the incident quickly making the rounds. Mr. Atkins’ offense? He was apparently “shouting” Bible verses. And according to the video, he recited a Scripture — 1 Corinthians 14:33 — after a police officer told him to be quiet.
“I’m not being rude, I’m just here to spread the Gospel of good news. Jesus Christ saved me and he can save everyone, including you,” Mr. Atkins said, directly addressing the officer in question.
At first, the story seemed unbelievable: a street preacher detained for refusing to stop speaking and sharing his biblical beliefs? I assumed there was more to the story — some sort of threat or illegal action aside from mere protest or reciting Scripture — but the district attorney in Berks County, Pennsylvania, ended up dropping the charges.
“From what I have seen thus far, I believe this was an unlawful arrest and could open the city of Reading and their police department to legal action,” County Commissioner Christian Leinbach said after the incident.
The Berks County District Attorney’s Office added: “After review of the video of the incident, including body-worn cameras, and a review of the case law, we did not believe we could prove a criminal case of disorderly conduct.”
The shocking ordeal makes one wonder what would have happened if someone didn’t catch the bizarre interaction and arrest on video.
Woman arrested after praying silently
Meanwhile, across the pond, there’s a bizarre British case about a woman who has been detained twice while praying silently in her head outside of an abortion clinic.
Isabel Vaughan-Spruce’s troubling case made headlines this year after a video showed police asking why she was silently speaking to the Lord outside of a clinic.
The legal conundrum started in December when Ms. Vaughan-Spruce, director of the U.K. March For Life, was detained in Birmingham, England, while presumably uttering prayer on a public street near the clinic.
In footage of the incident, Ms. Vaughan-Spruce tells a police officer she might be praying in her head it but isn’t in protest; then, he arrests her.
Charges were later dropped, but she was arrested just weeks later for the same offense.
She is continuing to fight for clarity surrounding her right to silent prayer within the vicinity of abortion clinics. Ms. Vaughan-Spruce and others are also challenging and questioning Public Space Protection Orders, regulations implemented at the local level to create buffer zones around clinics where pro-life protesters are unwelcome.
‘Ex-gay’ Maltese man faces charges over sharing his testimony
Finally, there’s a deeply troubling legal case unfolding in Malta “believed to be the first of its kind anywhere.” It surrounds ex-LGBTQ activist Matthew Grech, who is on trial after sharing his story of embracing Jesus.
Mr. Grech told me this year that he came under fire after sharing his story on a local Maltese outlet, as the nation has cracked down on conversion therapy. Thus, when he shared his journey of choosing Christianity over his former life, it led to legal problems.
Despite criticizing Malta’s laws on conversion therapy and sharing his personal quest to change his actions, Mr. Grech’s interview didn’t appear to advertise conversion therapy.
“Police give me a call, and they say … ‘Three people reported you to the police and reported the presenters as well because they’re claiming that you breached … Maltese law, which says that you cannot advertise so-called conversion practices,’” Mr. Grech told me. “And so I turned up to the police station with my lawyer. We exercised our right to be silent.”
Now, Mr. Grech, whose court case started this month, could face massive fines and even five months in prison.
Each of these cases presents deeply troubling scenarios and ramifications unbefitting of any free and democratic society. Regardless of where one stands on LGBTQ issues, faith or the individuals’ actions, these cases, though anecdotal, point to a terrifying pattern of abuse and disregard for free speech and expression and, frankly, legal sanity.
With culture continuing to shape-shift in such profound ways, discerning Christians would be smart to pay attention to these cases, speak up boldly and work to peacefully ensure that First Amendment rights are upheld.
These cases show the dire consequences that can come when we abdicate this responsibility.
• Billy Hallowell is a digital TV host and interviewer for Faithwire and CBN News and the co-host of CBN’s “Quick Start Podcast.” He is the author of four books.
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