RELIGIOUS HATRED LAW

By Tim Finch, UKChristianNews.tv
Special to ASSIST News Service

LONDON, UK (ANS) -- Christian Lawyers in the UK have called a meeting on September 7th at a central London venue after concerns have arisen that the UK Government will use the Parliament Act to force through the proposed Religious Hatred legislation this coming Autumn.

The law, which is similar to one already in force in Victoria in Australia, will ban incitement to hatred on the basis of religion. Whilst many believe in principle the law is a good idea, Christian lawyers in the UK are so concerned about the loose wording of the law that, in the wrong hands, the law could easily be used against Christians engaging in legitimate evangelism and preaching - as has already happened to two pastors in Australia where the law has been in force for some years. Those pastors were found guilty of the 'crime'.

The association, the Lawyer's Christian Fellowship, have recently published a letter inviting Christians in the UK from a wide spectrum of denominations to gather at Westminster Chapel at 1pm on the 7th of September where the meeting will be led by cross bencher peer, Baroness Cox. Their intention, according to the letter, is to allow debate and questions to a panel of experts and to encourage Christian to campaign over early Autumn. It appears though that the meeting is by invitation only and are asking that nominations for invitations be submitted to them before people turn up on the day.

The law is already over half way through Parliament, with the Bill clearing is third reading in the House of Commons back in June, just before the Parliamentary session ended for summer. The Bill moves to the House Of Lords in October where it is felt by many Christians the law has its "last chance saloon" of being rejected. However, if the House of Commons, which always has the last say, chooses to invoke the Parliament Act - a piece of legislation that permits the Government to force something they consider is very important onto the Statute books regardless of final voting - then its largely irrelevant how the Lords vote anyway in October.

Christian who work closely with political issues in the UK believe the law, should it be passed, will be on the statute books before the end of the year. The Christian lawyers believe that Churches and Christians should act now to put as much pressure as possible on the Government to change its mind.
 
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