Memorandum submitted by Mrs Zena Farlowe (CJ&I 365)

 

I write to you to urge you to oppose the introduction of an incitement to gay hatred crime in the Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill.

 

An 'incitement to homophobic hatred' offence is not necessary as it is already a criminal offence to intimidate or attack anyone, and inciting a crime against another person for whatever reason, is also outlawed. Churches will not be excluded from this proposed law - a Sunday morning sermon, which says that homosexual practice is sinful could see a preacher prosecuted for 'inciting hatred'. Christians have believed this orthodox Christian belief, which, is also held by the other major world religions, for centuries. Of course believing this does not mean that any incitement to gay hatred is acceptable or promoted by Christian belief. The proposed law would threaten people's freedom to express this belief, and the mere threat of prosecution may cause many to keep quiet, which is a subtler, but equally dangerous, threat to freedom of speech.

 

Please will your Committee protect the right of Christians to express their beliefs, as well as protecting freedom of speech in this country?

 

October 2007