House of Lords Breaking News on Free Speech and Blasphemy
Headlines
‘Jerry Springer the Opera’ challenge refused appeal to the House of Lords
Christian challenges Baltic Centre statue of Jesus on grounds of blasphemy
Crucial debate and/or vote on Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill
The Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill has introduced a new offence of incitement to hatred on the grounds of sexual orientation. It is modelled on the Racial and Religious Hatred Act 2006 which makes it an offence to incite hatred against a person on religious grounds. However, the 2006 Act has a free speech clause within it, so it is both logical and reasonable that such a clause should also be in this new offence.
An amendment to protect free speech in the incitement to hatred on sexual orientation grounds is likely to be considered in the House of Lords today.
It is similar to the clause in the Racial and Religious Hatred Act and has the following wording:
"Nothing in this Part shall be read or given effect in a way which prohibits or restricts discussion of, criticism of or expressions of antipathy towards, conduct relating to a particular sexual orientation, or urging persons of a particular sexual orientation to refrain from or modify conduct related to that orientation."
This is being put forward by Lord Clarke of Hampstead, Lord Waddington, The Lord Bishop of Winchester and Lord Stoddart of Swindon
Please pray that the Lords will debate and/or vote in favour of this free speech clause today as they did for a similar free speech clause in the Racial and Religious Hatred Act. Traditionally the Lords have been in favour of standing up for and preserving democratic values and free speech needs such protection.
This amendment is vital for the effective protection of free speech so that Christian Biblical views on marriage, sexuality and relationships can continue to be promoted in the public square.
To read the LCF briefing please click on the following link:
http://www.ccfon.org/docs/IncitementFreeSpeechFinalBriefing.pdf
‘Jerry Springer the Opera’ challenge is refused leave to appeal
On February 28 the House of Lords refused to hear the appeal from the High Court’s decision in the case of Stephen Green v The City of Westminster Magistrates Court (Jerry Springer the Opera), as it was not felt by the House to raise an arguable point of law of general public importance which ought to be considered by the House at this time.
At
the beginning of 2007, Stephen Green, Director of Christian Voice,
sought to bring a private prosecution against the producer and the
broadcaster of 'Jerry Springer - The Opera'. Mr Green argued that the
depiction of God as a frail old man and Christ as an abusive and foul
mouthed homosexual amounted to blasphemy and that the production and
broadcasting of the play was therefore a criminal offence. The
District Judge at the Magistrates Court refused to find that
blasphemy had occurred. Mr Green applied for Judicial Review of this
decision and in November 2007, the case was heard at the High Court.
Once again, the case was dismissed. The reasons given for dismissal
included the lack of any evidence that the production had endangered
society as a whole by endangering the peace or depraving public
morality. The judgment also said that the production attacked the
Jerry Springer chat show genre rather than Christianity.
An amendment to abolish the Blasphemy law was put forward by Evan Harris MP in the House of Commons on the 9 January 2008 but this was withdrawn. This withdrawal was on the basis that the Government would consult with the Church of England and look at this again in the House of Commons.
Amendments to abolish blasphemy are likely to be considered today or on the 5th of March in the House of Lords. In their response to the Government consultation on Blasphemy the Archbishops have indicated that the Church of England has serious reservations about the wisdom of legislating at this moment and it is not clear that there is a pressing need for repeal until there has been more time to assess the impact of the offence of incitement to religious hatred.
The Archbishops’ response to the Government consultation on Blasphemy can be found at:
http://www.cofe.anglican.org/news/pr2008.html
The LCF has written a briefing to all peers asking them to oppose the abolition of the blasphemy laws. To read this briefing, click on the link below:
http://www.ccfon.org/docs/Blasphemy_Briefing_29_Feb_08_TL.pdf
Christian challenges Baltic Centre statue of Jesus on grounds of blasphemy
A Christian lady is challenging Northumbria police over their failure to investigate a statue of Jesus with an erection which was part of an exhibition displayed at the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art in January. Although the Baltic Centre admitted that they had several complaints about the work, they maintained that the exhibition was clearly marked as being potentially offensive and that visitors were given proper warnings about the images and sculptures on display. Emily has sent several letters to the police asking them to investigate whether an offence has been committed, asserting that the statue of Jesus is blasphemous and offensive under public order legislation. She awaits a response.
Links
Christian Legal Centre
http://www.christianlegalcentre.com/view.php?id=254
Daily Mail article
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=505880&in_page_id=1770
Metro article
http://www.metro.co.uk/news/article.html?in_article_id=82321&in_page_id=34
