Memorandum submitted by Fred Stainthorpe (CJ&I 54)

Dear members of the Public Bill Committee,

The proposed amendment to this Bill seeking to make it a criminal offence to provoke hatred of other people on the grounds of their sexuality, while well-meaning in intent, is not necessary. People are already protected by existing legislation. What the amendment will do, if passed, will be to strike yet another blow at the religious freedom which we have enjoyed in this country for many centuries and which lies at the base of all other freedoms.

This freedom entails the right not only to hold certain beliefs in one's mind but also the right to practise these beliefs publicly, proclaim and discuss them without fear of persecution, intimidation and the threat of imprisonment. The consistent beliefs of Jews, Christians and Muslims has been that heterosexual marriage is the right and only sphere for sexual relationships and that homosexual acts are in themselves wrong. While, for example, Christians would never wish to persecute homosexual people, they would maintain the right to speak out publicly against their behaviour. Yet in the past few years there have been several examples of individuals and couples who have done this and who have been subjected to police interrogation. It seems almost incredible that British people should be threatened with court proceedings merely because they have openly expressed about their beliefs. If this amendment is passed, litigious groups will see it as another opportunity to manufacture examples of "hatred" and further exacerbate the situation. I trust that the Committee will refrain from passing this amendment.               

October 2007