The Christian Post | UK Christians Oppose Proposed Religious Hatred Bill
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UK Christians Oppose Proposed Religious Hatred Bill
Christians have spoken out against a religious hatred bill that will be reintroduced for approval by the new session of the recently elected UK parliament.
Wednesday, May. 25, 2005 Posted: 6:42:51AM EST
Christians have spoken out against a controversial religious hatred bill to be reintroduced in the newly elected UK parliament. Many say it will curtail freedom of speech.
The announcement was made on May 17, 2005, during the Queen's Speech, which is the traditional marker that indicates the agenda of the new government.
“Despite its noble intention, we still consider that this legislation, unless significantly altered, is likely to undermine freedom of speech, damage community relations and usher in a new climate of illiberalism and repression,” said Dr. Don Horrocks, the head of public affairs for the Evangelical Alliance, according to the Church of England newspaper.
Published plans by the state indicated that if passed, the measure would apply to "members of extremist organizations who stir up hatred against members of minority faiths and to individuals who seek to stir up hatred against those who do not share their faith," according to the British Broadcasting Company.
Under the law being proposed by the Labour Party, which won the May 5 elections, people found guilty of the offence would face up to seven years in jail.
Previous attempts to introduce the law in 2001 and earlier this year failed.
The Pulic Policy Officer for the Lawyer's Christian Fellowship, Andrea Minichiello williams said Christians should care passionately about this law since it could affect freedom of speech.
"Whilst we are apposed to hatred being whipped up against any section of the community, we believe there are sufficient laws already in place through the criminal law to ensure that such behaviour can be dealt with," she said according to the the Church of England newspaper.
There is widespread belief that the legislation could be used to criminalize preachers.
"With the proposed new offense we will see a chilling effect on how people talk about their faith in the public square and our opportunities to share the Gospel will suffer," she added.
Francis Helguero
francis@christianpost.com
UK Christians Oppose Proposed Religious Hatred Bill
Christians have spoken out against a religious hatred bill that will be reintroduced for approval by the new session of the recently elected UK parliament.
Wednesday, May. 25, 2005 Posted: 6:42:51AM EST
Christians have spoken out against a controversial religious hatred bill to be reintroduced in the newly elected UK parliament. Many say it will curtail freedom of speech.
The announcement was made on May 17, 2005, during the Queen's Speech, which is the traditional marker that indicates the agenda of the new government.
“Despite its noble intention, we still consider that this legislation, unless significantly altered, is likely to undermine freedom of speech, damage community relations and usher in a new climate of illiberalism and repression,” said Dr. Don Horrocks, the head of public affairs for the Evangelical Alliance, according to the Church of England newspaper.
Published plans by the state indicated that if passed, the measure would apply to "members of extremist organizations who stir up hatred against members of minority faiths and to individuals who seek to stir up hatred against those who do not share their faith," according to the British Broadcasting Company.
Under the law being proposed by the Labour Party, which won the May 5 elections, people found guilty of the offence would face up to seven years in jail.
Previous attempts to introduce the law in 2001 and earlier this year failed.
The Pulic Policy Officer for the Lawyer's Christian Fellowship, Andrea Minichiello williams said Christians should care passionately about this law since it could affect freedom of speech.
"Whilst we are apposed to hatred being whipped up against any section of the community, we believe there are sufficient laws already in place through the criminal law to ensure that such behaviour can be dealt with," she said according to the the Church of England newspaper.
There is widespread belief that the legislation could be used to criminalize preachers.
"With the proposed new offense we will see a chilling effect on how people talk about their faith in the public square and our opportunities to share the Gospel will suffer," she added.
Francis Helguero
francis@christianpost.com
The Christian Post | UK Christians Oppose Proposed Religious Hatred Bill
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