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Desire to be a vessel of honor unto the Lord Jesus Christ?
Join For His Glory for a discussion on how
https://christianforums.net/threads/a-vessel-of-honor.110278/
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Taking the time to pray? Christ is the answer in times of need
https://christianforums.net/threads/psalm-70-1-save-me-o-god-lord-help-me-now.108509/
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Depending upon the Holy Spirit for all you do?
Read through the following study by Tenchi for more on this topic
https://christianforums.net/threads/without-the-holy-spirit-we-can-do-nothing.109419/
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How are famous preachers sometimes effected by sin?
Join Sola Scriptura for a discussion on the subject
https://christianforums.net/threads/anointed-preaching-teaching.109331/#post-1912042
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Silent Prayer: Judge has determined a man is guilty of prayer
- Thread starter JLB
- Start date
This is an example of how facts can be twisted or omitted to fit a narrative. There might be more to this story than is being presented here. Adam Smith Connor was supposedly previously issued a safe zone order regarding abortion clinics, similar to a restraining order, prohibiting him from being within a certain distance from the clinic. Supposedly this is stemming from previous activist/protest activity he was involved in against abortion clinics. I can only assume those activities became a bit heated?
This story you shared, which is from his perspective, may not be giving all the details and aside from the fact that he may truly have been praying, he also may have been in violation of that safe zone order (restraining order) and that might be the actual charges against him. If I'm correct, it is just another example of media spin and lack of integrity in journalism.
It's like someone getting arrested for speeding and then claiming they were arrested because of their skin color. While their skin color is not in question and is true, they were in fact violating the speeding laws but leaving that part out spins a narrative.
This story you shared, which is from his perspective, may not be giving all the details and aside from the fact that he may truly have been praying, he also may have been in violation of that safe zone order (restraining order) and that might be the actual charges against him. If I'm correct, it is just another example of media spin and lack of integrity in journalism.
It's like someone getting arrested for speeding and then claiming they were arrested because of their skin color. While their skin color is not in question and is true, they were in fact violating the speeding laws but leaving that part out spins a narrative.
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A couple of articles about this if videos are not your preference .
Praying man breached abortion clinic safe zone
Fact check: Man was convicted for breaching abortion clinic’s safe zone
Praying man breached abortion clinic safe zone
Fact check: Man was convicted for breaching abortion clinic’s safe zone
Hi JLB
As WIP has explained. The charge against him was not that he was making silent prayers. The charges against him were that he was in violation of a stay away order. The fact that in breaking the stay away order he was making silent prayers doesn't even enter into the equation.
The man had been given a stay away order. He violated it. The evidence proved it. He was found guilty.
Yes, I agree with WIP. The fact that his explanation of what he was doing in breaking the stay away order has no bearing on the proven fact that he violated the stay away order. I'm not sure why that would be unclear to anyone, except that someone may not be knowledgeable of the facts of the actual case, and instead are relying on some news article where the defendant says that his only crime was to offer up silent prayers. That man is not being truthful about the what and why that he was arrested and charged.
I believe that before someone jumps into a fray, they should know the facts of what the fray is about.
Question: What were the charges made against the man by the law?
I think that you'll find that hawkman has provided us with the governments position on the matter and why the man was arrested. A law created a buffer zone around this clinic and the man broke that law. Aren't lawbreakers supposed to be charged for breaking a law?
And of course, this was all for show. The man says that he's standing in this legally provided buffer zone praying for a son he lost to abortion 22 years ago. He could have done that in his living room at home, but he chose to violate the law and go stand in the buffer zone and admitting to doing exactly what the buffer zone was created to stop.
Now, we could argue that the buffer zone law is not a fair law, but that's explained as being the majority position of the people of the area in the article that hawkman has provided. It explains that an official of the law stood and spoke with him for over an hour to try and convince him to just move out of the buffer zone. He refused. The man could have walked 200 feet out of the buffer zone and said the same prayers with the same effect and he wouldn't have been bothered, but he refused.
Trust me please. To stand in front of an authority of the government and argue for over an hour that you aren't going to obey the law, is almost always going to end in an arrest. It doesn't matter that in your mind you are quietly praying. And I believe that your title claim is not the truth. The judge did not determine that the man was guilty of prayer. The judge determined that the man broke a stay away order, and the man admits that he did.
Yes I agree with you, it usually ends in arrest.
Thank God that the apostles then and godly people today have chosen to obey God rather than corrupt authorities who bow to Satan rather than God.
And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them, saying, “Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Man’s blood on us!”
But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men. Acts 5:27-29
This month, a British man was convicted of criminal charges for praying silently near an abortion clinic. The man, Adam Smith-Connor did not attempt to harass, intimidate, or interact in any way with those entering the clinic. Instead, he wordlessly prayed with his head bowed slightly. He wasn't even on clinic property—he was outside the sightline of the clinic itself, according to the Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), a religious freedom group.
British man convicted of criminal charges for praying silently near abortion clinic
In Britain, it can be a crime to think the wrong thoughts in the wrong place. It sounds absurd—not to mention Orwellian—but a handful of people have been
reason.com
What concerns me about this is how many "Christian" sources are showing their lack of integrity by only reporting on the part that fits their agenda and not giving the whole story. That is not a "Christian" attitude to take.
At the same time, I don't think the buffer zone was created to stop anything except to restrict his access to the area because of infractions he had committed previously. The buffer zone was not put in place to stop prayer but to prevent this individual from causing excessive problems. The way I understand it, he tended to get out of hand with his participation in protests.
There are peaceful ways to protest and there are other ways and it is my understanding that he took it too far toward the latter and that is why a court order with the buffer zone was created for him and possibly others as well. I do not know.
No, but violating a restraining order or buffer zone order would be.
Suppose a woman has been living in an abusive relationship and in the course of time, she obtains a court restraining order against the perpetrator that forbids him to get within 100 feet of her. Now, suppose he stands out on the sidewalk in front of her house, which is only 30 feet from her front door, doing nothing more than silently reflecting on things. If he gets caught, he'd be arrested for violating the restraining order, not for silently reflecting. But, just like Mr. Connor is doing, he'd make claim that he was arrested for silently reflecting on the situation and not causing any harm. The fact would still remain that he was in violation of the restraining order.
Let's look at the Policing act in question .
https://www.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/Asset...-area-Public-Spaces-Protection-Order-PSPO.pdf
4. The Activities prohibited by the Order are:
4a Protesting, namely engaging in an act of approval/disapproval or attempted act of approval/disapproval, with respect to issues related to abortion services, by any means. This includes but is not limited to graphic, verbal or written means, prayer or counselling
4b Interfering, or attempting to interfere, whether verbally or physically, with a service user or member of staff of the BPAS clinic
4c Intimidating or harassing, or attempting to intimidate or harass, a service user or a member of staff, of the BPAS clinic
4d Recording or photographing a service user or member of staff of the BPAS Clinic.
4e Displaying text or images relating directly or indirectly to the termination of pregnancy and or playing or using amplified music, voice or audio recordings
4f Holding vigils’ where members audibly pray, recite scripture, genuflect,sprinkle holy water on the ground or cross themselves if they perceive a service-users is passing by
4g Remaining in the Safe zone, when asked to leave by a Police Officer or police community support officer or any other person designated by BCP Council or returning to the Safe zone before 7pm on the day you have been asked to leave.
THE PROHIBITIONs 5. A person shall not engage in any of the Activities anywhere within the Safe zone as highlighted in red on the attached map labelled ‘The Safe zone’ between the hours of 7am and 7pm Monday to Fridays.
*********************************************
My thoughts , Mr Smith needs to stay within the law , Christian law breakers is not a good look and there are verses too . I highlighted the policing act time frame . Mr Smith could once a month hold an eleven hour prayer vigil right in front of the clinic with as many like minded people as he can find , I see no violation with this method of protest and would generate some publicity for the cause . A 30 minute buffer would give all attendees time to arrive and to leave zone , this is why I said an eleven hour prayer vigil .
https://www.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/Asset...-area-Public-Spaces-Protection-Order-PSPO.pdf
4. The Activities prohibited by the Order are:
4a Protesting, namely engaging in an act of approval/disapproval or attempted act of approval/disapproval, with respect to issues related to abortion services, by any means. This includes but is not limited to graphic, verbal or written means, prayer or counselling
4b Interfering, or attempting to interfere, whether verbally or physically, with a service user or member of staff of the BPAS clinic
4c Intimidating or harassing, or attempting to intimidate or harass, a service user or a member of staff, of the BPAS clinic
4d Recording or photographing a service user or member of staff of the BPAS Clinic.
4e Displaying text or images relating directly or indirectly to the termination of pregnancy and or playing or using amplified music, voice or audio recordings
4f Holding vigils’ where members audibly pray, recite scripture, genuflect,sprinkle holy water on the ground or cross themselves if they perceive a service-users is passing by
4g Remaining in the Safe zone, when asked to leave by a Police Officer or police community support officer or any other person designated by BCP Council or returning to the Safe zone before 7pm on the day you have been asked to leave.
THE PROHIBITIONs 5. A person shall not engage in any of the Activities anywhere within the Safe zone as highlighted in red on the attached map labelled ‘The Safe zone’ between the hours of 7am and 7pm Monday to Fridays.
*********************************************
My thoughts , Mr Smith needs to stay within the law , Christian law breakers is not a good look and there are verses too . I highlighted the policing act time frame . Mr Smith could once a month hold an eleven hour prayer vigil right in front of the clinic with as many like minded people as he can find , I see no violation with this method of protest and would generate some publicity for the cause . A 30 minute buffer would give all attendees time to arrive and to leave zone , this is why I said an eleven hour prayer vigil .
This month, a British man was convicted of criminal charges for praying silently near an abortion clinic. The man, Adam Smith-Connor did not attempt to harass, intimidate, or interact in any way with those entering the clinic. Instead, he wordlessly prayed with his head bowed slightly. He wasn't even on clinic property—he was outside the sightline of the clinic itself, according to the Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), a religious freedom group.
British man convicted of criminal charges for praying silently near abortion clinic
In Britain, it can be a crime to think the wrong thoughts in the wrong place. It sounds absurd—not to mention Orwellian—but a handful of people have been
These seems to be a good plan.
At this point however, there seems to be conflicting stories.
I wonder how many people would have gone to hell if Peter and the apostles stop doing what God had called them to do, because the authorities told them to stop?
And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them, saying, “Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Man’s blood on us!”
But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men. Acts 5:27-29
I expect we could also see this play out, and see some people die here in America because they defied a corrupt government who was guilty of violating their Constitutional rights.
Against enemies foreign and domestic… Right now the enemies of America are domestic.
Abraham Lincoln said it this way -
It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us, that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion, that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain, that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.
The price of freedom is always paid in blood.
JLB
You think God was calling him to do this in spite of the buffer zone? I'm thinking he could have done it while staying outside said buffer zone. Again, it's not the fact that he was praying that got him arrested. It was the fact that he was in violation of the law. A law that did not restrict him from praying. It only restricted him from being with a certain distance of the clinic.
Was it praying that got Smith arrested ? I would have to say yes . Praying in the "buffer zone" and during the time designated can land you in trouble .
reason.com
The court's reasoning betrayed the absurdly censorious nature of the local law. "In its decision, the court reasoned that his prayer amounted to 'disapproval of abortion' because at one point his head was seen slightly bowed and his hands were clasped," according to the ADF.
"He was capable of being seen, he was engaged in prayer and it would have been perceptible to an observer," said Judge Orla Austin, The Telegraph reported. "He said he would not be looking at anyone so he could not breach their privacy but I find his presence and the circumstances could cause detrimental impact."
British man convicted of criminal charges for praying silently near abortion clinic
In Britain, it can be a crime to think the wrong thoughts in the wrong place. It sounds absurd—not to mention Orwellian—but a handful of people have been
reason.com
The court's reasoning betrayed the absurdly censorious nature of the local law. "In its decision, the court reasoned that his prayer amounted to 'disapproval of abortion' because at one point his head was seen slightly bowed and his hands were clasped," according to the ADF.
"He was capable of being seen, he was engaged in prayer and it would have been perceptible to an observer," said Judge Orla Austin, The Telegraph reported. "He said he would not be looking at anyone so he could not breach their privacy but I find his presence and the circumstances could cause detrimental impact."
This article says he wasn’t on the property.
If he wasn’t on the property then how could he be guilty of a crime?Was it praying that got Smith arrested ? I would have to say yes . Praying in the "buffer zone" and during the time designated can land you in trouble .
British man convicted of criminal charges for praying silently near abortion clinic
In Britain, it can be a crime to think the wrong thoughts in the wrong place. It sounds absurd—not to mention Orwellian—but a handful of people have been
The court's reasoning betrayed the absurdly censorious nature of the local law. "In its decision, the court reasoned that his prayer amounted to 'disapproval of abortion' because at one point his head was seen slightly bowed and his hands were clasped," according to the ADF.
"He was capable of being seen, he was engaged in prayer and it would have been perceptible to an observer," said Judge Orla Austin, The Telegraph reported. "He said he would not be looking at anyone so he could not breach their privacy but I find his presence and the circumstances could cause detrimental impact."
As a result, Smith-Connor was questioned by police and later charged with violating a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO), a broad censorship order enabled by the 2014 Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act. Under this law, local authorities can obtain special status for some public places, allowing them to ban a huge range of conduct. In the name of limiting "anti-social behavior,"
Left wing liberal laws to suppress free speech and violate people’s rights is all it is. Satan wanting to oppress the church and continue the unbridled murder of the innocent.
That is all it is. Until the church wakes up to this, the enemy will continue to oppress and destroy liberty.
It’s a disgrace.
JLB. Just so you know, I do not support much of the left-wing ideologies any more than you do but I'm trying to look at this situation with reasonable discernment. When I first shared this story with my neighbor, I quoted some of the same articles you have to which he replied that he found it hard to believe that the stories were giving the whole truth. So, I did some digging and noticed that many of the stories I found were coming from Christian sources and I began to think that I had ammunition to back things up but then the more I dug into it, the more I realized that those Christian sites were spinning or sharing the story being spun by the media that he was arrested for praying but that was not actually true. Yes, he was arrested while praying but his crime was the violation of a court order. It concerns me that I can't even rely on Christian sources for accurate information. How about that?