Submission from the Zion Baptist Chapel,
Prestwood
I am writing on behalf of the congregation of
Zion Baptist Chapel, Prestwood, of which I am the Pastor, with
regard to the Committee's present consideration of the law relating
to religious offences.
We realise that no action seems to be taken
against those who break the existing law on blasphemy. This we
regret, but do not feel it would be right to change the law on
this, or any other, account. According to the Scriptures, which
we believe to be authoritative, we wish to honour all men, including
those holding different views, but we regard the honour due to
God as being far above any honour accorded to men. We believe
also God's declaration in Scripture—"Them that honour
me I will honour"—and consider that the unparalleled
greatness of the nation in former years when God was indeed honoured
bears witness to this.
In Prestwood—a large village—we
are able to conduct our services with minimal disturbance, for
which we are thankful. However, we know that some of the churches
with which we are loosely connected, and which are situated in
more unruly areas, have suffered seriously. We have reason, therefore,
to hope that the Committee will not change the existing law forbidding
the disturbance of religious services.
We have no submission to make concerning the
proposed offence of incitement to religious hatred. Certainly
we ourselves desire to live at peace with all men, again according
to the Scriptures.
2 July 2002
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