Memorandum submitted by Kay Statter (CJ&I 330)

 

 

I have learned that there is to be an amendment to the Criminal

Justice and Immigration Bill which would make it an offence to

"incite hatred on the grounds of sexuality". I understand from the

record of the debate that several MPs expressed concern on the part

of their constituents that such an amendment might seriously impinge

on freedom of speech.

 

I am writing to add my voice to that concern. As a Christian I

believe that we should show respect and concern for all people,

irrespective of their lifestyle, beliefs and sexual practices and I

believe it is wrong to subject people to insults and taunts and

violent behaviour because of their background, beliefs or practices.

However I also believe that members of faith groups should maintain

the right to express sincerely held views that are orthodox within

their traditions in a calm and dignified way. The danger in

introducing a "hate crime" is that the expression of such views

becomes open to interpretation.

 

Christians are commanded to love their neighbour as themselves, which

would prevent us from using deliberately unkind words or actions, but

we are also taught in the Bible that God has ordained human sexuality

to be expressed in marriage between one man and one woman and that

all that falls outside of this is "sinful", ie displeasing to God. We

fully recognise that our present society does not share this view.

However, society's attitude does not alter the fact that this is a

perfectly legitimate view and as such is worthy of recognition and

should not become subject to a law that can be interpreted in such a

way as to criminalise it.

 

If passed such a law would move those responsible for law enforcement

from a position of making judgements about actually violent behaviour

and speech to policing what people are thinking and feeling. The law

is already adequate to protect us from assault and from threatening

words and behaviour and the law concerning incitement to commit a

criminal offence would make it an offence for any person to incite an

act of violence against another person for whatever reason.

 

There have been a number of cases in the last two years in which

Christians have been arrested or investigated or disciplined for

expressing their views on homosexuality. None of those expressions

was aimed at any particular person or group, nor were they malicious

in tone or intent, but were plain statements of a morality sincerely

held by those people to be true. Although in several cases there were

ultimately apologies or reversals these examples show that there is

already confusion about what is legitimate opinion and what is truly

criminal or unacceptable behaviour.

 

In summary I believe that the proposed amendment is unnecessary and

could do untold harm to freedom of speech and indeed to freedom of

conscience in this country.

 

While I would defend the right of homosexuals to be free to live

their lives without harmful taunts and threats I also defend the

right of people with sincerely held views about the right and wrong

of sexual behaviour to express those views in a seemly manner. As the

Committee gathers its evidence and prepares for debate please could

serious account be taken of the need to maintain this freedom of

expression.

 

October 2007