The Lords Reject Euthanasia
20 000-strong Petition taken to the Queen, the Prime Minister and the House of Lords
Continue to pray for free speech – to be debated on Thursday 9th July
 Watch video report of our 20,000 signature petition delivery to the Queen and Prime Minister today |
A petition with over 20 000 signatures was delivered on the 7th July to Buckingham Palace, No. 10 Downing Street and the House of Lords. Petitioners are seriously concerned that Government plans, contained in Clause 61 of the Coroners and Justice Bill, will effectively gag Christians from openly explaining Biblical teaching on sexual conduct. |
The petition also drew attention to the plans of a small group of Peers who were trying to legalise assistance with suicide by tabling amendments to the same Bill. Lord Falconer’s amendment, which would have legalised assisted suicide in certain cases, was debated in the House of Lords today, 7th July and taken to a vote this evening. Praise God, the amendment was rejected by 53 votes. This is welcome news to the many Christians who were concerned about proper protection for the vulnerable in our society. Thank you for taking time to contact Peers and sign our Petition.
Christian Concern for our Nation (CCFON) co-ordinated the Petition. Its sister organisation, the Christian Legal Centre, has represented many Christians in high profile cases where employers have denied Christians the right of freedom of speech on moral issues. Both organisations are keen to draw attention to what they describe as the “devastating consequences” to Christian witness if the Coroners and Justice Bill goes through Parliament as it stands.
Andrea Minichiello Williams, founder of CCFON and the Christian Legal Centre, believes the vast majority of Christians and church leaders are still unaware of the impact the Bill could have; the Government has hidden a clause removing the Free Speech Clause within a Bill that most would believe to be about administrative matters.
To help hand in the petition, Mrs Williams was joined by staff from CCFON, Pastor Ade Omooba and Duke Amachree. Mr Amachree, a homelessness prevention officer with Wandsworth Council, was dismissed from his work yesterday (6th July) for encouraging a homeless woman with an incurable medical condition to look to God for help, after doctors told her they’d given up hope.
Andrea Minichiello Williams said: "The case of Duke Amachree shows how intolerant secularisation is creeping into every area of public life and employment. Common sense no longer prevails and public servants such as Duke Amachree are suffering and losing their jobs as a result. Clause 61 is alarming in that not only would it officially ‘gag’ Christians, preventing them from talking about their faith when it comes to what the Bible says about family life and relationships, but if they do, it would also be a criminal offence."
"We hope the Government, which is trying to remove the free speech clause by the back door, when it was defeated by elected Peers on this issue only last year, will recognise that if they proceed with their plans, there will be an election coming up soon and Christians will vote in response to the way this Government has consistently marginalised and hindered freedom of speech for every citizen in this country."
We have seen victory with regard to euthanasia. Let us pray that our freedom of speech will be protected when the House of Lords debates the issue this Thursday 9th July.
See also Care Not Killing commentary