Michael Bray
Encyclopedia
Michael Bray is an American
anti-abortion
activist convicted in 1985 of two counts of conspiracy and one count of possessing unregistered explosive devices in relation to 10 bombings of women's health clinics and offices of liberal advocacy groups in Washington, D.C.
, Maryland
and Virginia
. Initially sentenced to 10 years in prison, he agreed to a plea bargain
and served 46 months from 1985 to 1989.
He and his wife, Jayne, are named defendants in the Supreme Court decision Bray v. Alexandria
. He is considered to be a terrorist by the National Memorial Institute for the Prevention of Terrorism.
In 1994, the F.B.I. suspected that he and other anti-abortion figures might be developing "a conspiracy that endeavors to achieve political or social change through activities that involve force or violence", as stated in a confidential Teletype
message sent to all 56 F.B.I. field offices.
at the United States Naval Academy
. He was formerly based in Bowie, Maryland
, and now lives in Wilmington, Ohio
, where he professes to be a member of the terrorist organization Army of God.
on 60 Minutes
. He was referred to by Randall Terry
as "whacked". Bray continues to speak out in support of people who kill abortion doctors, including Paul Jennings Hill
and James Charles Kopp
. Bray was interviewed by Richard Dawkins
for The Root of All Evil?
He was also interviewed for the film Religulous
by Bill Maher
, and appears in the deleted scenes on the DVD release.
was in heaven.
Dawkins was able to obtain the original tapes of the interviews he did for the "Root of All Evil". He has published them in a three-DVD set. The one with Michael Bray was conducted in a park in Colorado
. Bray said that he (and those who were his followers by inference) believed the Bible
to be the inerrant word of God. He said he believes homosexuality
and adultery
, if proven in a court with the usual protections of law, should carry a death sentence
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
anti-abortion
Pro-life
Opposition to the legalization of abortion is centered around the pro-life, or anti-abortion, movement, a social and political movement opposing elective abortion on moral grounds and supporting its legal prohibition or restriction...
activist convicted in 1985 of two counts of conspiracy and one count of possessing unregistered explosive devices in relation to 10 bombings of women's health clinics and offices of liberal advocacy groups in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
, Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
and Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
. Initially sentenced to 10 years in prison, he agreed to a plea bargain
Plea bargain
A plea bargain is an agreement in a criminal case whereby the prosecutor offers the defendant the opportunity to plead guilty, usually to a lesser charge or to the original criminal charge with a recommendation of a lighter than the maximum sentence.A plea bargain allows criminal defendants to...
and served 46 months from 1985 to 1989.
He and his wife, Jayne, are named defendants in the Supreme Court decision Bray v. Alexandria
Bray v. Alexandria Women's Health Clinic
Bray v. Alexandria Women's Health Clinic, was a United States abortion rights case , which affirmed that Ku Klux Klan Act of 1871 could not be used to halt blockades of abortion clinics.-See also:...
. He is considered to be a terrorist by the National Memorial Institute for the Prevention of Terrorism.
In 1994, the F.B.I. suspected that he and other anti-abortion figures might be developing "a conspiracy that endeavors to achieve political or social change through activities that involve force or violence", as stated in a confidential Teletype
Teletype Corporation
The Teletype Corporation, a part of American Telephone and Telegraph Company's Western Electric manufacturing arm since 1930, came into being in 1928 when the Morkrum-Kleinschmidt Company changed its name to the name of its trademark equipment...
message sent to all 56 F.B.I. field offices.
Background
Michael Bray is a former MidshipmanMidshipman
A midshipman is an officer cadet, or a commissioned officer of the lowest rank, in the Royal Navy, United States Navy, and many Commonwealth navies. Commonwealth countries which use the rank include Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, India, Pakistan, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Kenya...
at the United States Naval Academy
United States Naval Academy
The United States Naval Academy is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located in Annapolis, Maryland, United States...
. He was formerly based in Bowie, Maryland
Bowie, Maryland
Bowie is a city in Prince George's County, Maryland, United States. The population was 54,727 at the 2010 census. Bowie has grown from a small railroad stop to the largest municipality in Prince George's County, and the fifth most populous city and third largest city by area in the state of...
, and now lives in Wilmington, Ohio
Wilmington, Ohio
Wilmington is a city in and the county seat of Clinton County, Ohio, United States. The population was 12,520 at the 2010 census. At city entrances from state routes, county roads, and U.S. highways, the city slogan of "We Honor Our Champions" is seen, accompanied by signs that highlight various...
, where he professes to be a member of the terrorist organization Army of God.
Interviews
On April 15, 1999, Bray was interviewed by Dan RatherDan Rather
Daniel Irvin "Dan" Rather, Jr. is an American journalist and the former news anchor for the CBS Evening News. He is now managing editor and anchor of the television news magazine Dan Rather Reports on the cable channel HDNet. Rather was anchor of the CBS Evening News for 24 years, from March 9,...
on 60 Minutes
60 Minutes
60 Minutes is an American television news magazine, which has run on CBS since 1968. The program was created by producer Don Hewitt who set it apart by using a unique style of reporter-centered investigation....
. He was referred to by Randall Terry
Randall Terry
Randall Almira Terry is an American pro-life activist and candidate for the Democratic Party's nomination for President in 2012. Terry founded the pro-life organization Operation Rescue. The group became particularly prominent beginning in 1987 for blockading the entrances to abortion clinics;...
as "whacked". Bray continues to speak out in support of people who kill abortion doctors, including Paul Jennings Hill
Paul Jennings Hill
Paul Jennings Hill was the first person in the United States to be executed for murdering a doctor who performed abortions.-Early life:...
and James Charles Kopp
James Charles Kopp
James Charles Kopp is an American citizen who was convicted in 2003 for the 1998 sniper-style murder of Dr. Barnett Slepian, an American physician from Amherst, New York who performed abortions. Prior to his capture, Kopp was on the FBI's list of Ten Most Wanted Fugitives. On June 7, 1999 he had...
. Bray was interviewed by Richard Dawkins
Richard Dawkins
Clinton Richard Dawkins, FRS, FRSL , known as Richard Dawkins, is a British ethologist, evolutionary biologist and author...
for The Root of All Evil?
The Root of All Evil?
The Root of All Evil?, later retitled The God Delusion, is a television documentary written and presented by Richard Dawkins in which he argues that humanity would be better off without religion or belief in God....
He was also interviewed for the film Religulous
Religulous
Religulous is a 2008 American comic documentary film written by and starring comedian Bill Maher and directed by Larry Charles. The title of the film is a portmanteau derived from the words "religion" and "ridiculous"; the documentary examines and mocks organized religion and religious...
by Bill Maher
Bill Maher
William "Bill" Maher, Jr. is an American stand-up comedian, television host, political commentator, author and actor. Before his current role as the host of HBO's Real Time with Bill Maher, Maher hosted a similar late-night talk show called Politically Incorrect originally on Comedy Central and...
, and appears in the deleted scenes on the DVD release.
Interview with Richard Dawkins
When asked "did it not occur to you that that doctor had a wife to grieve for him", Bray replied by confirming Dawkins' accusation, that he did believe that Paul Jennings HillPaul Jennings Hill
Paul Jennings Hill was the first person in the United States to be executed for murdering a doctor who performed abortions.-Early life:...
was in heaven.
Dawkins was able to obtain the original tapes of the interviews he did for the "Root of All Evil". He has published them in a three-DVD set. The one with Michael Bray was conducted in a park in Colorado
Colorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
. Bray said that he (and those who were his followers by inference) believed the Bible
Bible
The Bible refers to any one of the collections of the primary religious texts of Judaism and Christianity. There is no common version of the Bible, as the individual books , their contents and their order vary among denominations...
to be the inerrant word of God. He said he believes homosexuality
Homosexuality
Homosexuality is romantic or sexual attraction or behavior between members of the same sex or gender. As a sexual orientation, homosexuality refers to "an enduring pattern of or disposition to experience sexual, affectional, or romantic attractions" primarily or exclusively to people of the same...
and adultery
Adultery
Adultery is sexual infidelity to one's spouse, and is a form of extramarital sex. It originally referred only to sex between a woman who was married and a person other than her spouse. Even in cases of separation from one's spouse, an extramarital affair is still considered adultery.Adultery is...
, if proven in a court with the usual protections of law, should carry a death sentence
Capital punishment
Capital punishment, the death penalty, or execution is the sentence of death upon a person by the state as a punishment for an offence. Crimes that can result in a death penalty are known as capital crimes or capital offences. The term capital originates from the Latin capitalis, literally...
.