The Crime of Prayer

Literally.

Apparently in the UK, the latest threat to society isn’t shoplifting or climate protestors gluing themselves to highways and throwing tomato soup on framed Van Gogh’s sunflowers—it’s Christian street preachers praying in public.

Rushmoor Borough Council, in a bold new attempt to regulate feelings, has proposed an injunction that could land Christian street preachers in prison for up to two years.

Their crime?

Potentially causing distress by praying, sharing literature, or speaking about their faith without…wait for it… prior consent.

You read that right.

Praying for someone without asking first? Potential criminal offense.

Laying hands on someone in prayer even with their permission? Still not allowed.

Talking about Jesus in a way that someone nearby finds “offensive?” Straight to jail, do not pass Go, do not collect $200.

Dear Baby Jesus in a manger. (Note: I must remember not to say this in parts of Great Britain.)

So, of course, the question must be asked: Where does this all end?

I mean, if a preacher offering to pray for someone is now labeled a public threat, what about a whispered “God bless you” to a fellow passenger with allergies on the Tube?

Can I still pray over my food in a restaurant or will that require a permit? And an emotional support atheist nearby?

Is private prayer by Christians in a public place the next target? Should we start to pray in Morse code? (Here’s the “Our Father, who art in heaven” part of The Lord’s Prayer. You’re on your own for the rest: — ..- .-. / ..-. .- - …. . .-. –..– / .– …. — / .- .-. - / .. -. / …. . .- …- . -. –..–)

If you ask me, this isn’t about protecting people from harassment. It’s about controlling the expression of faith in public spaces. And it’s being cloaked in the soft, fluffy language of “distress.” Emotional offense is now grounds for prosecution.

We are fast approaching the point where offending someone is treated like assault, and the answer to discomfort is to outlaw anything that might remind someone of a worldview they don’t like.

Oh boy. We are riding that Banana Boat straight into Crazy Town, kids.

Listen, you don’t have to agree with street preachers. You don’t even have to like them. I am not a fan, myself. I’ve even been known to tangle with them now and then. But when prayer becomes punishable and scripture is considered contraband unless pre-approved, we have a bigger problem than cringy evangelism.

We have a government policing thoughts and beliefs—not behavior.

And that should offend everyone.