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News from Parliament - 10/01/2007

Published: January 11th, 2008
Printer-friendly version Last night the House of Commons voted on whether to accept an amendment to the Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill which would ensure that freedom of speech and freedom of religion were protected.

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Last night’s votes on the Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill

Incitement to hatred on the grounds of sexual orientation

Last night the House of Commons voted on whether to accept an amendment to the Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill which would ensure that freedom of speech and freedom of religion were protected. The Bill introduces a new offence of incitement to hatred on the grounds of sexual orientation, but the proposed amendment was designed to give extra protection to freedom of speech. The amendment would give extra reassurance to Christians that the teaching of biblical views on marriage, sexuality and relationships would not be prevented.

Sadly, the vote was lost and therefore the amendment failed. However, 169 MPs voted in favour of the amendment, which shows it does have considerable support, despite being unsuccessful on this occasion. The Bill must still make its way through the House of Lords, and it was in the Lords that the Religious Hatred Act was first amended to protect freedom of speech in this way. Please continue to pray for this Bill as we anticipate its next stage.


Links to our previous updates on this Bill:






Blasphemy Law

The vote on whether to abolish the blasphemy law did not take place as Evan Harris MP, who tabled the clause, withdrew it. He did this because the Government stated it would consult with the Church of England on the matter and would be bringing forward legislation in due course. Although this means that for the time being the blasphemy law remains in place, it seems the Government do intend to abolish the law in the near future, after consultation with the Church of England.


There is much disagreement, even within the church, about the best response to the blasphemy laws. We believe it should be kept because Christianity has historically and constitutionally been the basis and bedrock of our nation and our laws. In respecting Christian principles this nation has been a society of freedom, fairness and true tolerance and justice. Freedom of speech is preserved in that the law does not prevent strident criticism or even attack of Christianity, but it does set in place certain standards of decency and respectful discourse with regard to how we talk about and portray God and Jesus. We believe that if the UK purposefully renounces God in this way there may be spiritual repercussions for society, with a further slip away from moral principle.


Please use the link below to listen to a radio interview where the matter was discussed by Andrea Williams.


Links




Embryo Bill Rally

Don’t forget next Tuesday’s rally outside the House of Lords – Please share our short video advertising the rally with your churches and mid-week groups. The rally is to support amendments to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill, being voted upon on that day. PLEASE COME. The rally is taking place opposite the House of Lords on 15th January at 2.00pm – 3.30 pm, while Peers are voting. If you work in London you may be able to take a late lunch and join us for ½ hour or longer.


This rally will be the first of a number of rallies we hope to hold on each of the days that important votes are taking place in either the Lords or the Commons. It is important that as many people as possible attend opposite Parliament for the rally to send the message that these issues cannot be swept under the carpet and that the dignity of the human embryo, and the family are both things that the public care deeply about.


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