Barry Duke, the Angry Atheist

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1. 

   As someone who produced dozens of nativity plays as a teacher and a Sunday School leader, that title ‘A Gay…

2. 

   The defence of a Christian view never seems to be settled by debate: exchange of facts, reference to historical events.…

3. 

   But …… Rwanda is a safe place: Parliament says so.https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2024/8/contentsSafety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Act 2024 S 2 Safety…

4. 

   Religion can survive only on the most unquestionable assumptions. The statements made on Sundays on the BBC as if they…

5. 

   Yes, if I’ve got anything remotely like a phobia, as an ex-fundy, its bibles, churches, tracts etc. I like to…

AMONG nine defendents who are currently on trial for blocking access to a Northwest Washington clinic is Lauren Handy, above, Director of Activism and Mutual Aid with an outfit called Progressive Anti-Abortion action.

Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly, who is overseeing the trial in Washington D.C. was compelled to warn supporters of Handy and her cronies that “this is courthouse, not a church” after it appeared that they were trying to influence jurors by handing out anti-abortion fliers that labeled the defendants “Pro-life heroes.”

Before opening statements began, Kollar-Kotelly reminded spectators—a majority of whom were friends and family of the defendants—that individuals should refrain from any outbursts or any overt outward religious expressions that might be viewed by jurors. Carrying a Bible or rosary was permitted, she said, but they were not to be held up in sight of jurors.

It took defense attorneys and federal prosecutors about a week to identify 12 jurors and three alternates who swore that their personal beliefs about abortion would not interfere in their review of evidence in the case. By Wednesday, 11 men and four women were chosen for the final panel in United States v. Handy.

The defendants are charged with conspiracy against rights and a Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act (FACE) offence.

An indictment returned by a federal grand jury alleges that the nine defendants:

Engaged in a conspiracy to create a blockade at the reproductive health care clinic to prevent the clinic from providing, and patients from receiving, reproductive health services.

Security video and footage from police body cameras showed Handy and several other co-defendants chaining themselves to chairs that blocked doors inside the clinic, yelling at women and singing hymns. “You’re killing babies. What you are doing is evil,” one protester is seen yelling.

If convicted of the offences, the defendants each face up to a maximum of 11 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $350,000.

Key witness testifies that abortion ‘rescuers’ are ‘overzealous’ and ‘foolish’

Far-right LifeSiteNews yesterday *Fridareported that Caroline Davis, who was part of the invasion, had struck a plea deal with the government and entered the courtroom lambasting those who “think their beliefs in God supersede the law.”   

Davis, according LSN, “seemed to relish the platform she was given” and seized the opportunity to attack “rescuers” as “overzealous” and “foolish” activists trying to make a “dramatic spectacle” and “not helping to end abortion.” 

She described how she was led to participate in “rescues” after she thought she was being inspired by the Holy Spirit, but explained she was someone who had been “very impressionable … but trying to change.”   

The courtroom was spellbound as Davis portrayed herself as a naive Christian manipulated by fundamentalist and fanatical rescuers. 

She sat straight in her chair, looked directly at members of the jury and, with all the zeal of a convert, denounced rescuers as harmful to the pro-life cause, which she said she still believes in. 

As dramatic courtroom showdowns go, it was a stunning performance by an attractive young woman who appeared to be enjoying her starring role.    

Earlier this year police found five foetuses in in Handy’s home, but this discovery has nothing to do with the current trial.

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