Our final session for the first day was led by Simon Calvert from the Christian Institute who began by making remarks from Romans 1, stressing conscience and the suppression of the truth, elaborate lies. This rotting society needs us to be salt and light.He then went on to update us on various things including the issue of freedom of speech. The victory in 2006 over religious hatred has been followed by debate over the issue of incitement to sexual hatred. A free speech clause has been suggested for the bill but the government doesn't like it and want to get rid of it. It is now before the Lords. We need to be free to say that homosexual practice is wrong (just as we can about other sins).
Then the equality bill brings together laws from the last 40 years and is a massive tome. That is beginning to be debated in Parliament. This is a real battlefield for us. The government are using the bill to make things difficult for Christians. Current exemptions will no longer apply. For example, if the government has its way a church could not specify that a youth worker be heterosexual in practice.
Throughout the stress was on the need for wisdom and prayer. Simon mentioned that he had been with John Mason an SNP MP who is very positive over these things.
By way of question and answer Simon mentioned how the stance that CI takes is that followed by Peter Tatchell, Christopher Biggins and Rowan Atkinson too. There is a lot of misinformation about.
Then the equality bill brings together laws from the last 40 years and is a massive tome. That is beginning to be debated in Parliament. This is a real battlefield for us. The government are using the bill to make things difficult for Christians. Current exemptions will no longer apply. For example, if the government has its way a church could not specify that a youth worker be heterosexual in practice.
Throughout the stress was on the need for wisdom and prayer. Simon mentioned that he had been with John Mason an SNP MP who is very positive over these things.
By way of question and answer Simon mentioned how the stance that CI takes is that followed by Peter Tatchell, Christopher Biggins and Rowan Atkinson too. There is a lot of misinformation about.
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