British legislators amend bill to protect religious criticism of gays

Published: 2008-04-24

LONDON (CNS) -- British legislators have voted into the Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill a clause to ensure that people are not prosecuted for criticisms based on their beliefs about homosexual lifestyles. The House of Lords voted April 21 for the amendment to the bill that Catholic and Anglican leaders said would have stopped Christians from expressing their beliefs about marriage and family. The amendment said that "the discussion or criticism of sexual conduct or practices or the urging of persons to refrain from or modify such conduct or practices shall not be taken of itself to be threatening or intended to stir up hatred." The proposed law against incitement to hatred of homosexuals will carry a maximum penalty of seven years in jail for those found guilty. The amendment must pass the House of Commons before it becomes law later this year.

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