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He is the founder and head of the [[fundamentalism|fundamentalist]] [[Free Presbyterian Church]] and the head of the [[Democratic Unionist Party]]. He is a lifelong [[teetotaller]] who refers to alcohol as "the Devil's buttermilk", a [[creationism|creationist]], [[pro-life]], and a supporter of the criminalisation of [[homosexuality]], once opposing reform of laws relating to homosexuality with a campaign that he called "Save Ulster from Sodomy".<ref>McKittrick, David (24 May 2007).  Ian Paisley:  Can the Big Man say 'Yes'?  ''The Independent''.</ref>  Paisley always denied that Northern Irish [[Catholic]]s were poor because of religious discrimination.  He said that they were poor because "they breed like [[rabbits]] and multiply like vermin".

He is the founder and head of the [[fundamentalism|fundamentalist]] [[Free Presbyterian Church]] and the head of the [[Democratic Unionist Party]]. He is a lifelong [[teetotaller]] who refers to alcohol as "the Devil's buttermilk", a [[creationism|creationist]], [[pro-life]], and a supporter of the criminalisation of [[homosexuality]], once opposing reform of laws relating to homosexuality with a campaign that he called "Save Ulster from Sodomy".<ref>McKittrick, David (24 May 2007).  Ian Paisley:  Can the Big Man say 'Yes'?  ''The Independent''.</ref>  Paisley always denied that Northern Irish [[Catholic]]s were poor because of religious discrimination.  He said that they were poor because "they breed like [[rabbits]] and multiply like vermin".

In 1988, during a speech by [[Pope John Paul II]] to the [[European Parliament]], Paisley, who was a Member of the European Parliament, held up a poster reading "Pope John Paul II Antichrist" and called, "I renounce you as the Antichrist".<ref>MacDonald, Susan (10 February 1988). Paisley ejected for insulting Pope.  ''The Times''.</ref><ref>Chrisafis, Angelique (16 September, 2004).  The return of Dr. No. ''The Guardian''.</ref><ref>[http://www.ianpaisley.org/antichrist.asp The Pope is the Antichrist]</ref>  In 1963 he held a rally to object to the lowering of the national flag at [[Belfast]] City Hall to mark the passing of [[Pope John XXIII]].<ref>McKittrick, David (24 May 2007).  Ian Paisley:  Can the Big Man say 'Yes'?  ''The Independent''.</ref>

In 1988, during a speech by [[Pope John Paul II]] to the [[European Parliament]], Paisley, who was a Member of the European Parliament, held up a poster reading "Pope John Paul II Antichrist" and called, "I renounce you as the Antichrist".<ref>MacDonald, Susan (10 February 1988). Paisley ejected for insulting Pope.  ''The Times''.</ref><ref>Chrisafis, Angelique (16 September 2004).  The return of Dr. No. ''The Guardian''.</ref><ref>[http://www.ianpaisley.org/antichrist.asp The Pope is the Antichrist]</ref>  In 1963 he held a rally to object to the lowering of the national flag at [[Belfast]] City Hall to mark the passing of [[Pope John XXIII]].<ref>McKittrick, David (24 May 2007).  Ian Paisley:  Can the Big Man say 'Yes'?  ''The Independent''.</ref>

   

   

In 2007 Paisley became First Minister of the devolved Northern Ireland government, with [[Martin McGuiness]], a senior [[Sinn Fein]] leader and former [[IRA]] commander in [[Londonderry]], as his Deputy First Minister. Dr Paisley has announced his intention to step down as First Minister and DUP leader in May 2008.

In 2007 Paisley became First Minister of the devolved Northern Ireland government, with [[Martin McGuiness]], a senior [[Sinn Fein]] leader and former [[IRA]] commander in [[Londonderry]], as his Deputy First Minister. Dr Paisley has announced his intention to step down as First Minister and DUP leader in May 2008.