Old Catholics in UK Welcome Weakened Religious Hatred Law
Released on = February 2, 2006, 9:21 pm
Press Release Author = Old Catholic Church
Industry = Government
Press Release Summary = The Old Catholic Church of Great Britain along with the Free Catholic Church of Europe alliance took part in the peaceful protest outside The House of Commons to oppose the Racial and Religious Hatred Bill.
Press Release Body = Archbishop Gary Beaver said "Ministers have done the only sensible thing with this legislation and forced the Government to rethink its position. The strength of opposition against this Bill is a clear message to the government of the importance this country places on free speech" Archbishop Gary continued "the concern the Old Catholic church shared with many other denominations was that a law born out of good intentions would almost certainly end up criminalising the preaching of the gospel or teaching of biblical values."
The first defeat, by a 288 to 278 vote, ensured that the new laws would not affect the current racial hatred laws. The final version of the law therefore contains specific freedom of speech safeguards that ensure people can be found guilty only if they intend to stir of hatred.
Dominic Grieve, shadow attorney general described the bill as "a foolish manifesto commitment" that was introduced to appease some minority groups".
Lib Dem MP, Evans Harris said: "The government just failed to understand that they can't take liberties with freedom of expressions."
Robert Marshall-Andrews, Labour MP for Medway, said: "It was an awful misjudgement to believe you could get a bill like this through, in the teeth of opposition from so many of our backbenchers."
After a prayers supporting freedom of speech to enable all to share the love and grace of Jesus, Archbishop Gary Beaver said "\"This will mean that it is possible to preach the uniqueness of Christianity, discuss and critique other religions, and to draw attention to the persecution of Christians by other faiths.\"
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