It can be argued that the United States saved Europe from itself twice in the 20th century.
It can also be argued that the United Kingdom, which is comprised of England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, is once again on a reckless path to destruction — only this time, it's unlikely that the U.S. will be able to save it if push comes to shove.
In one perfect (though ominous) example, Northern Ireland’s Safe Access Zones law, introduced in 2023, establishes 100-meter (328-foot) "safe access zones" around abortion clinics and hospitals. The law prohibits protests, vigils, or any activity deemed to intimidate or influence women seeking abortions. The law significantly undermines free speech and religious liberty, raising serious concerns about government overreach and the erosion of democratic principles.
Translation: Europe being Europe.
Moreover, the draconian law criminalizes a broad range of behaviors, including silent prayer, distributing leaflets, or even offering information about alternatives to abortion within these zones. Penalties include fines up to £2,500 ($3,350) or, in some cases, even imprisonment.
Clearly, the ominous law targets individuals based on their beliefs rather than their actions.
Such was the case with a retired U.K. pastor scheduled to stand trial Wednesday, facing criminal charges for preaching a gospel sermon inside a protected abortion buffer zone.
The 76-year-old retired pastor, Clive Johnston, is facing two charges under the law for holding an open-air religious service focused on the Bible verse John 3:16 ("For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life") near a hospital in County Londonderry on July 7, 2024, as reported by The Christian Institute, which is supporting his defense.
Pastor Clive Johnston arrives at Coleraine Magistrate's Court to give evidence. He is accused of breaching controversial abortion buffer-zone laws by preaching John 3:16 (“For God so loved the world…”) in the vicinity of a general hospital. pic.twitter.com/kjj3kSJSGc
— The Christian Institute (@christianorguk) December 17, 2025
Here's more, via The Christian Institute:
The retired pastor, former President of the Association of Baptist Churches in Ireland, faces two charges under the Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) Act for holding an open-air service on the fringes of a buffer zone opposite the Causeway Hospital, Coleraine on 7 July 2024. The open-air service took place on a Sunday, the traditional day for church services.
Mr. Johnston ... appeared at a preliminary hearing in March after being accused of seeking to “influence” people accessing the hospital’s abortion services and for not immediately leaving the area when asked to do so by police.
If convicted, the grandfather of seven – who has never been in trouble with the police – faces a criminal record and potential fines totaling thousands of pounds.
Mr Johnston is expected to be a key witness in the 17 December proceedings which will be held before District Judge Peter King who has also presided over preliminary hearings in the case.
According to the institute, the judge has three options:
He could acquit or convict Johnston, or he could refer the case to a higher court for a ruling on the "constitutional validity" and "human rights compatibility" of using the law against the retired pastor.
Needless to say, a country that fears the Bible more than it detests the murder of the unborn is in trouble. Toss in the continuing increase in Northern Ireland's Muslim population — which has led to an increase in anti-Muslim protests, and it doesn't take a proverbial rocket scientist to see this is a country in trouble — and even worse, from its own government's doing.
Simon Calvert, deputy director of The Christian Institute, put it this way (emphasis, mine):
Prosecuting Pastor Johnston for preaching ‘God so loved the world’ near a hospital on a quiet Sunday is a shocking new attempt to restrict freedom of religion and freedom of speech in a part of the world where open-air gospel services are a part of the culture. Christians are pro-life. But preaching the good news about Christ is not the same thing as protesting against abortion.
Amen.
Calvert added: "There is a vital principle at stake. If the Gospel can be banned in this public place, where else can it be banned?"
Exactly, but isn't that the point?
MORE UK MADNESS: UK Cops Arrest Jewish Lawyer for 'Antagonizing' Pro-Palestinian Mob—by Wearing a Star of David
Watch: Autistic British Blogger Arrested in the Night Over Meme Slamming Hamas, Palestine, Islam
As we see from the Left in the U.S., while often vile or violent protests are one thing, leftists can also be patient — to an extent. In other words, the Democrat party often settles for eating the proverbial elephant (pun intended) one bite at a time.
That will continue to happen, until, that is, a sufficient number of freedom-loving Americans finally say enough is enough, and push our government — via the ballot box, and perhaps other methods — to put an end to the insidious madness before it's too late for us, too.
