Equality Bill warning sounds out to churches

Churches will today broadcast a three-minute warning on the Equality Bill to their congregations during service.

It comes one day before the controversial Bill is to be voted on in the House of Commons.

The video has been put together by Christian Concern for our Nation which believes the Bill to be the "biggest state intervention into people's private expression of their faith since the Reformation".

In the video, CCFON Director Andrea Minichiello-Williams warns that if the Bill is passed, churches will no longer be able to advertise for an explicitly Christian youth worker, but will rather find themselves in the difficult position of having to open up the post to someone who does not necessarily share their Christian ethos or beliefs. Another pivotal position, that of the worship leader, could no longer be restricted to Christians.

Ms Minichiello Williams commented, "Christians and churches across this nation need to be aware that this Bill has enormous implications for their day- to-day functioning.

"If it is passed in its present form, the Equality Bill will result in churches and Christian organisations having to recruit people to key positions who are unsympathetic to the need to reflect Christ and to worship Him through their work.

"That will in turn affect the way in which Jesus Christ is perceived by those served by the Church and its ministries."

The video can be watched on YouTube and the Christian Concern for our Nation website. Christians will also be urged to sign David Skinner's anti-Equality Bill petition on the No 10 Downing St website.

See www.ccfon.org for more details