Christian Lawyers Publish Guidance on Gay Rights Law

The Lawyers' Christian Fellowship has published guidance over the weekend on the Sexual Orientation Regulations that are due to come into force on Monday.

The guidance from the LCF offers advice on the extent to which Christians will be able to continue to provide goods and services according to their consciences without falling foul of the new law.

A particular concern of many Christians has centred on same-sex adoption and the promotion in schools of sex outside marriage.

The LCF is concerned that Christians could find themselves having to choose between the spiritual and legal consequences of their decisions if they are asked to provide a good or service that contravenes their biblical beliefs.

"Where there is a risk that any action Christians are contemplating might contravene the [regulations] they are encouraged to seek specific legal advice and pastoral guidance," the LCF said in its guidance.

The LCF made clear in its guidance, however, that the regulations "by their nature represent a step towards the privatisation of faith", citing the recent case of Andrew McClintock, a magistrate on the South Yorkshire Bench who resigned from the family panel after court managers refused to allow him exemption him from gay adoption cases in spite of his personal religious beliefs.

"We strongly urge Christians to resist this pressure to vacate the public square in these times of increased opposition towards biblical values and principles. There is a call on Christians to stand publicly for their faith," the LCF said.

"It is often better for Christians to continue to provide goods and services to the public in accordance with Christian conscience, and to stand firm if and when opponents try and use the law to shut down that provision."

The LCF also warned that the regulations are "widely misunderstood" and said it expected that local authorities will make demands on Christian organisations not necessarily required by the law.

It added that the regulations were creating a "new prejudice" against those wanting to live according to their Christian or other faith beliefs that teach that all sex outside heterosexual marriage is wrong.

"This should concern all those who believe in freedom of conscience and in the value of our Judeo-Christian heritage," it said.

The LCF said the regulations should accommodate rather than penalise Christians.

"When 99 out of 100 printing shops are non-religious and would happily print material promoting homosexuality we believe it is unjustified to legislate against the one Christian printer to make it illegal for him to refuse to print that material.

"Striking a fair balance in these circumstances should allow reasonable accommodation for those motivated by conscience."

The Lawyers' Christian Fellowship has produced Guidance on the new law which is available at: http://www.lawcf.org/