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| | [[Image:IanPaisley.gif|frame|Doctor the Reverend Ian Paisley MP]] | | [[Image:IanPaisley.gif|frame|Doctor the Reverend Ian Paisley MP]] |
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| − | Dr. the Reverend '''Ian Richard Kyle Paisley''' MP, MLA (born April 6, 1926) is a [[Northern Ireland|Northern Irish]] politician and religious leader. He is currently [[First Minister]] of the new Northern Ireland government. Paisley uses the title "Doctor" on the basis of an honorary [[Doctor of Divinity]] degree awarded by [[Bob Jones University]]. | + | Dr. the Reverend '''Ian Richard Kyle Paisley''' MP, MLA (born April 6, 1926) is a [[Northern Ireland|Northern Irish]] politician and religious leader. Paisley uses the title "Doctor" on the basis of an honorary [[Doctor of Divinity]] degree awarded by [[Bob Jones University]]. |
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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 teetotaler, a [[creationism|creationist]], pro-life, and supports the criminalisation of [[homosexuality]]. | | 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 teetotaler, a [[creationism|creationist]], pro-life, and supports the criminalisation of [[homosexuality]]. |
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| − | 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>. | + | 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>. 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>. |
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| | In 2007 Dr 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. | | In 2007 Dr 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. |