Wednesday 21st September 2005

The Racial and Religious Hatred Bill is about creating a new criminal offence (with a maximum penalty of 7 years in jail) of 'stirring up hatred against people on religious grounds'. It does this by adding new parts to an older law: the Public Order Act 1986.

Rallies in Westminster and Petition

Subject to confirmation of Police permission, there will be a prayer rally on Saturday October 8th from 12 noon until 3pm in Hyde Park, most likely at Speakers' Corner. Details will be posted on the LCF website.

We have been given police permission to hold a Rally outside Westminster on the day of the Second Reading in the House of Lords: Tuesday the 11th October. The rally will take place in the afternoon commencing at 1pm and finishing at 4pm. The assembly point will be the Old Palace Yard opposite the peers' entrance to Parliament. Marshals will be on hand to help on the day and again, the LCF website can be used for updates and specific details.

A petition containing the names of 1500 Christian leaders was delivered to Downing Street in July. In seeking to build on the petition a new one will be circulated via email. When the details for this are finalized, they will be found on the LCF website

The Rallies and petition are an amazing opportunity for the Church to stand up in unity to express their genuine and loving concern about a law which may restrict liberty to share the message of the Gospel.

THE LAWYERS' CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP
What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God (Micah 6:8)

BRIEFING SHEET FOR SPEAKING TO MPS AND PEERS ON THE RACIAL AND RELIGIOUS HATRED BILL

1. Pray before you go to the meeting!

2. Bring a clean copy of the letter below with the wording of the proposed legislation on it with you;

3. Start on the positive note that you fully understand the motive behind the legislation and the aims of it:

Indicate full agreement with the Government that peace between our faith communities is of the utmost importance

Emphasise your profound opposition to the incitement of religious hatred between faith groups.

4. The unintended consequences of the Bill are what are concerning you. Say that the text itself appears to cover cases far beyond the ones the Government says it wants to cover and to have enormous potential to be used for purposes other than the intended one.

5. Explain your understanding of the meaning of the Bill by going through the text itself with the MP/ Peer. The following points need to be made:

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Reader Comments

Posted by Richard Barnett in Horley, Surrey @ 19:48 on Oct 10 2005

Those who are opposed to this should make their voices known as I am, tommorrow. There will be a rally planned outside the Houses of Parliament from 1pm- 4pm on Tuesday 11th October 2005. Don't let your views go un heard.

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Posted by Gordon Mackley in Kent @ 10:16 on Oct 3 2005

The problem with the bill is that those drafting it have failed to realise the difference in attitudes between religions. Combining this with the idea of the ‘hatred’ being established in the eyes of the person ‘offended’ rather than the intention of the instigator makes it exceedingly dangerous. Christians would not normally regard comments against christianity as an expression of hatred against them personally. Muslims however often take any comment against Islam as being personally directed at them. Under this bill would Salmon Rushdie have been guilty of stirring up religious hatred?

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Posted by neil in london @ 17:02 on Sep 30 2005

Some thoughts about the RHB. 1. Its definition of religion and hatred is far too vague - leaving it to the discretion of (non faith) judges to interpret. 2. If I already hate other faiths enough to have incited acts or words against them, what is to stop me wanting to sue them if I percieve they have done the same to me and vice versa. The fact I want to sue represents my unforgiveness which is in itself an act of hatred.

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Posted by V in North Somerset @ 15:16 on Sep 30 2005

- I think that we as Christian should have a bit more protection - and at least if the culprits know that it will be them that will pay the consequences of their actions - I see it that we will have more opportunity to speak about the Lord and with not so much persecution - they cannot take away the freedom of speach - so if we speak the true Gospel - its an opportunity with more protection!

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Posted by Kelvin Bottle in Preston @ 15:07 on Sep 23 2005

If this is passed through and does become law then we as Christians will have a greater challenge on our hands, to show the love of God to others in away that shows Jesus in action. As much as anything this may bring the gospel to more people. Our right to evangelise is still protected as it is seen to be apart of what we believe and to practice.

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Posted by Vince in Croydon, United Kingdom @ 14:48 on Sep 21 2005

Governments in the UK often rush through laws in a hurry in reaction to events. Often, as here, they are badly drafted. Be aware, though, that many Muslims have also opposed this bill for all the reasons given. They want the right, as do we, to be able to say that another religion is wrong without the fear of prosecution. Existing laws are protection enough.

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The opinions expressed in the Reader Comments are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms.

An Explanation Of The Religious Hatred Bill

The Racial and Religious Hatred Bill is about creating a new criminal offence (with a maximum penalty of 7 years in jail) of 'stirring up hatred against people on religious grounds'. It does this by adding new parts to an older law: the Public Order Act 1986.

Reader Comments

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