Bible verse leads to trial in Europe. Growing crackdown threatens our US-UK values

A 77-year-old retired pastor, Clive Johnston, is on trial in Northern Ireland for quoting a Bible verse near a hospital in a 'buffer zone' where abortions occur. Prosecutors claim his message might have 'influenced' individuals accessing abortion services, despite him not mentioning abortion. The case reflects broader European and UK trends of restricting public Christian expression, drawing criticism from the U.S. State Department as a violation of shared U.S.-U.K. values like free speech.