The world was horrified when Isabel Vaughan Spruce was arrested for silently praying outside an abortion clinic.
And although she was found innocent – police officers harassed the peaceful woman again and arrested her a second time.
In one of the most frightening examples of punishing “thought crimes” – here are the horrifying details behind Isabel’s second arrest.
A fierce pro-lifer, Isabel felt compelled to pray outside of abortion clinics – even though the UK has “exclusion zones” banning activities like prayer.
In these “exclusion zones” – certain activities like protests, public speech, and yes – even silent prayer – are said to be prohibited.
Even though Isabel was completely silent and didn’t utter a word out loud – she was still targeted by police officers.
To start, the court already cleared Isabel the first time police officers arrested her – so what prompted them to target her again?
According to reports, even though she was praying in silence – not uttering a single word – it was deemed “offensive.”
Police officers approached her and warned her if she didn’t stop praying within the “exclusion zone” – she would be arrested again.
Isabel refused to stop praying – so yet again she was hauled away.
CBN News reported:
“Vaughan-Spruce replied, “But I’m not protesting. I’m not engaging in any of the activities prohibited.”
“But you said you were engaging in prayer which is the offense,” the officer responded.
“Silent prayer,” Vaughan-Spruce counters.
“No, but you were still engaging in prayer. It is an offense,” the officer explained.
Vaughan-Spruce told the officer she disagreed.
“Okay, then. So you would rather that you be arrested and taken away than stand outside the exclusion zone. Is that what you’re saying,” the officer asked her.”
Horrific.
And the chilling thing is – while this hasn’t happened yet in America – we aren’t too far away from experiencing this same kind of religious persecution.
We live in a society where everything is deemed “offensive” if it involves pro-life or pro-family advocacy.
It’s insane that praying silently around abortion facilities is considered a crime in the UK.
What’s next?
Banning prayer anywhere in public? Even silent prayer?
Thankfully, Isabel is standing up for her faith and refusing to go away quietly like they hoped she would.
She’s drawing attention to the discrimination of Christians and pro-lifers – and hopefully raising awareness to show how radical things have become.
CBN News continued.
“Only three weeks ago, it was made clear by the court that my silent prayers were not a crime. And yet, again, I have been arrested and treated as a criminal for having the exact same thoughts in my head, in the same location,” Vaughan-Spruce said in a statement.
“The ambiguity of laws that limit free expression and thought – even in peaceful, consensual conversation or in silent, internal prayer – leads to abject confusion, to the detriment of important fundamental rights. Nobody should be criminalized for their thoughts.”
Amen.
Secular society may try to silence prayer – but as Christians, we must not back down from the right we have to pray – whether in private or public.
Let’s hope Isabel is cleared again from her alleged “crime” so police officers will stop targeting peaceful citizens who simply want to pray.
What are your thoughts on police arresting Isabel yet a second time for praying?
Do you think this type of thing could happen here in the United States?
You can post your answers to our Facebook page and join in the conversation with other believers from all around the world.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” – John 3:16-17
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