British Christians concerned gay-hatred ban will stifle free speech

Published: 2007-11-28

LONDON (CNS) -- Catholic and Anglican leaders have sought assurances from lawmakers that a proposed law to ban "gay hatred" would not be used to prevent Christians from expressing their beliefs about marriage. The Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales and the Church of England released a memorandum to the Public Bill Committee of the House of Commons on their concerns about plans to create a new offense, incitement to hatred on grounds of sexual orientation. They argued that any new law must not threaten the right to freedom of speech or to publicly criticize or evaluate lifestyle choices. "Our main concern is that any legislation on incitement to hatred on the grounds of sexual orientation permits the expression of traditional Christian (and other) opinions on sexual behavior and consequent criticisms of particular forms of behavior or lifestyle," said the memorandum made public Nov. 27. It was issued as politicians scrutinized government plans to amend the 1986 Public Order Act.

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