The Lawyers' Christian Fellowship has criticised the government for rushing through Northern Ireland Sexual Orientation Regulations, as it warned that the regulations are an "infringement of freedom of conscience and freedom to practice Christianity".

The early publication of the Northern Ireland Regulations already took many by surprise, the LCF said, as it criticised the government for pushing ahead with the regulations before even responding to the consultation process.

In particular, the LCF criticised the government for choosing to use a special parliamentary procedure to push the regulations through without any debate or vote in Parliament.

"This 'negative resolution procedure' means that the mere elapsing of 40 days from the date of the Regulations being laid will see the SORs become law in Northern Ireland. This in turn will set a dangerous precedent for the England, Wales and Scotland SORs which are due to come into force in April 2007," said Andrea Minichiello Williams, Public Policy Officer at the LCF.

The Northern Ireland regulations can only be amended now if the government agrees to withdraw and amend them or if a member of the House of Commons or House of Lords seeks an annulment of the SORs and sufficient time is granted by the government for the appropriate debate and vote to take place.

"This all emphasises the need to pray and act on the issue now," said Williams.

The LCF is calling on Christians to mobilise and voice their opposition to the proposals.

Williams continued: "As the momentum grows in the media, the role of Christians in seeking amendments to the law to protect freedom of conscience and freedom of religion becomes increasingly important.

"If Christians mobilise and act together they will form a powerful lobby which the Government cannot ignore. So now is the time when it will be most effective for Christians to speak out in defence of our right to speak openly from the Bible and to live according to the Bible's teaching about sexual morality, whether in church on a Sunday, or in our jobs during the week.

"It is a key matter of principle that British law is not used to make it illegal to follow any aspect of the Bible's teaching."

The LCF is calling on Christians to:

-pray and inform others of this situation.
-continue to lobby MPs and Peers.
-ask MPs to petition the government to withdraw the Northern Ireland Sexual Orientation Regulations while a principled settlement is agreed safeguarding freedom of conscience and religion.
-respond to articles that are written (particularly by sending letters to go in the 'comments' section of newspapers) by setting out clearly and truthfully the need for the government to re-think the Sexual Orientation Regulations. Commenting on online discussions relating to this matter is also an excellent opportunity to set out the teaching of the Bible to those who might otherwise not hear it, the LCF said.
-LCF particularly needs Christians who are providers of goods and services to speak out if the law will affect them, particularly if the Sexual Orientation Regulations would force them to choose between following the Bible and following the new law.