The Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill will include a provision making it a criminal offence to incite hatred against a person on the grounds of their sexuality. The provisions represent a serious attack on freedom of expression and freedom of speech. As Christians we must love people irrespective of their sexuality, but we are also called to speak the truth in love. This new law will put us in a difficult position if biblical teaching on homosexuality is perceived as that which incites hatred against homosexuals. We are concerned we will be unable to speak openly about the bible’s teaching on sex and sexuality.
In addition, the introduction of such a law is unnecessary because the criminal law already prohibits physical and verbal assaults as well as the use of threatening language and behaviour against homosexuals, as it does against all people.
We are expecting the Report of the Public Bills Committee considering these proposals to be published shortly and we will keep you updated as to any further developments.
To read all the latest media coverage on this proposal please click on the links above.
To read the LCF submission to the proposal please click on the link below.
Link
LCF Submission on homosexual hatred proposal
http://www.lawcf.org/index.asp?page=LCF+Submission+on+homosexual+hatred+proposal