Memorandum submitted by Barrie Jones (CJ&I 22)

 

 

     I am writing to express my deep concern about the proposed amendment to the Criminal Justice and Immigration bill which would make it a criminal offence to 'incite hatred on the grounds of sexuality'.

     As a committed Christian I believe that sex is designed for procreation and the cementing of the marriage bond, and that outside that context it is sinful and is therefore invariably corrosive of  happiness in human society, whether hetero- or homosexual.

     I do not hate (active) homosexuals or promiscuous heterosexuals, I am too well aware of the power of temptation myself, but I do believe their behaviour is both an offence to God and counter-productive to the well-being of the society I am a part of.

     I view with horror the possibility of myself or fellow believers running the risk of prosecution for expressing this belief openly. I am sure that you would not wish this to be the case, either, but there are endless examples of the legal profession achieving ends quite unintended by the original legislators.

     This amendment, I would suggest, is unnecessary and dangerous. Of course people should be protected from incitement to hatred but that is already provided under the criminal law.

     I urge you not to accept this amendment.

     Thank you for your work on behalf of the public.

October 2007