|
 Government defeated on Equality Bill
The Christian Institute and the Daily Telegraph report today that the Government has lost in the House of Lords over its attempt in the Equality Bill to alter the law on who churches and other faith-based groups can employ.
Peers voted 216 to 178 in favour of Lady O’Cathain’s amendment to keep the current law unchanged. In two further votes Lady O’Cathain won by 195 votes to 174 and by 177 votes to 172.
The Government’s defeat means no change to the current law, which permits churches and other faith-based employers to protect their ethos by insisting staff live consistently with the religion’s doctrine on sexual behaviour.
At this stage it is not known whether the Government will try to overturn the defeat in the Commons.
The Christian Institute’s Mike Judge said, “We are delighted that the House of Lords has voted to protect freedom of association for churches.
“It is a shame that the Government didn’t listen to churches earlier. It’s almost as if they don’t care.”
The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, said during the Lords debate: “You may feel that many churches and other religious organisations are wrong on matters of sexual ethics.
“But, if religious freedom means anything it must mean that those are matters for the churches and other religious organisations to determine for themselves in accordance with their own convictions.”
He added: “Where are the examples of actual abuses that have caused difficulties? Where are the court rulings that have shown that the law is defective? If it ain’t broke, why fix it?”
Baroness Sayeeda Warsi, the Conservatives’ shadow minister for Community Cohesion, hailed the vote as a “victory for common sense”.
She said: “We delivered a blow against the governments attempt to narrow the definition of ‘employment’ for the purposes of religion.
"The Church of England, the Catholic Church and leaders of other faiths have all campaigned together in a true spirit of Community Cohesion to protect an important religious freedom."
Labour peer Lord Davies added: "My support for my Government is second only to my Christian view.
"My view is that the standards and morals of the Christian church makes this country a much better place and I shall always oppose any measures that seek to marginalise the Christian Church."
At the weekend Church of England Bishops expressed deep concern about the Government plans.
The bishops said the Government has produced words that “create difficulties for churches and religious groups”.
They added: “This despite our raising the problem many months ago and offering various ways of resolving the issue.”
Andrea Minichiello Williams, director of CCFON said:
“This is a great day for religious liberty in the UK. We are thankful that the law has not been changed and the freedom of Churches to control their own affairs has not been restricted any further. The results show what can happen when Christians pray and take action. Let us be encouraged that even in an increasingly secular society, the voice of the Church can still be heard.”
Most of all we are thankful to God for answering our prayers. We serve a mighty God!
Click here for Christian Institute article
Click here for Daily Telegraph article
(Sources: The Christian Institute, 25/01/10, CCFON, 25/01/10, The Daily Telegraph, 26/01/10)
|
|
No Headlines available |
|
|
