Religious liberty, the law and why it must matter to us in Britain today 

(Lisa Severine Nolland   ls.n@talktalk.net)

The serious erosion of religious and civil liberties in Britain today should be of concern to all Christians. Our denominational and interdenominational leaders appear to ignore, minimise or deny it altogether. How have we found ourselves in this situation and more importantly, what can be done? 

Peter and Hazelmary Bull and the Sexual Orientation Regulations

Peter and Hazelmary Bull, who run a Christian bed and breakfast business in their home in Cornwall, have been ordered to pay £3,600 in damages and possibly the closure of their business because they refused a double bed to two gay men. It is alleged that the Bulls have contravened the Sexual Orientation Regulations (2007) which "outlaw discrimination in the provision of goods and services on the grounds of sexual orientation." It must be noted, however, that the Bulls have a policy that denies anyone a double bed who is not married, whether gay or straight. (To get the Christian Institute facts sheet see http://www.christian.org.uk/bulls_facts.pdf)

A petition has been set up and can be accessed through the Anglican Mainstream web site to petition the Prime Minister to remove or amend the Sexual Orientation Regulations. Please sign the petition here: http://www.anglican-mainstream.net/.

The bigger picture

Though the Bulls are a prime example of religious freedom disappearing before our eyes, their case is the tip of the iceberg. Other victims include maths teacher Olive Jones, sacked for offering prayer to a sick child; senior paediatrician Sheila Matthews, dismissed from an adoption panel for maintaining biblical views on family; and Gary McFarlane, fired by Relate because he would not offer sex therapy to gay and lesbian couples (see http://www.notashamed.org.uk/stories.php for more). Both the Christian Legal Centre and the Christian Institute are handling many worrying situations - and those are the ones we know about. The rest go to the wall in silence. 

It is distressing to note the political and cultural sea change between the 1970s and now. Then, pro-life medics were provided with a conscience ‘out' clause, provision which now is deliberately withheld from those who cannot in good faith provide their services to the lesbian, gay and bisexual community. A new form of totalitarianism has emerged with a vengeance and is wreaking havoc, and yet for the most part it is happening unnoticed. Few wish to sound alarmist, do they? 

There are a whole host of factors which are fuelling this hydra-headed development.  The interpretations of legislation such as the Equality Bill, the Sexual Orientation Regulations, and the Civil Partnership Act play a huge role, as does the takeover of the public realm by post-modern, politically-correct multi-culturalism. The damage done by this takeover varies hugely from one matter to another, hence the difficulty in gaining an accurate and proportional overview of the entire situation. 

The hesitancy of Church and other Christian leaders to explain clearly, winsomely but unapologetically what they believe and why is yet another factor. They will wax lyrical about almost everything else, just not about the issues for which Christians (and others) are going to the proverbial stake. This indicates a loss of courage and nerve - no one else is putting their head above the parapet, are they? - and also a loss of confidence that orthodox Christian views on sexual ethics are good for everyone, not just ‘religious' types. This does not mean that all must follow them, but at the very least, as a society we must have a full and frank discussion about ‘the good' without fear of censure or punishment.

Possible responses

Nothing changes for the better where there is no action. Defeatist wringing of the hands does not recognise God's power to work through us in this world.

1. Face up to the fact of the new and alarming default position; even faint shadows of Christendom and its ethics are long gone where it matters most.  Be willing to acknowledge that at least some of your friends and flock are being ‘got at', compromised or at least confused, even if they are not telling you.
2. Pray! 
3. Sign the petition, circulate it to your friends and highlight it in your church bulletin.
4. Invite Andrea Minichiello Williams (director of the Christian Legal Centre) and/or the Christian Institute to address your church.
5. Get on an email list from one of the following action groups: Christian Concern (http://www.christianconcern.com/) the Christian Legal Centre (http://www.christianlegalcentre.com/emaillist.php) or the Christian Institute (http://www.christian.org.uk/subscribe/).  If this is a step too far, find someone in your church who would be willing to be the contact person for these issues.
6. Raise issues, perhaps in home group or slots in the church service, of how to be a winsome, gracious and articulate Christian in the work place. 
7. Use Anglican Mainstream (http://www.anglican-mainstream.net/) or other groups' resources to get grounded in a sophisticated, public apologetic on sexual and other issues. 
8. Ask the leaders of Christian organisations and denominations about their silence and inactivity. Explain that they cannot claim a prophetic role when they refuse public solidarity with Christian victims in this country.