Memorandum submitted by Manchester Alliance Church (Chinese Congregation) (CJ&I 206)

I am writing, on behalf of many Chinese Christians, to express my deep concern about the proposed amendment to the Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill, which would make it a criminal offence to incite hatred on the grounds of sexuality·. As a committed Christian I firmly believe that we should love and show love to all people, irrespective of their lifestyle, beliefs and sexual practices. However, I also feel that the introduction of this proposed law is ill advised and poses a considerable danger to freedom of speech and freedom of religion in our nation.

According to the current legislation, all people are already protected from assault and threatening words or behaviour. In addition, the law concerning incitement to commit a criminal offence would make it an offence for any person to incite an act of violence against another person, for whatever reason. Hating another person is not acceptable, whether it be a criminal offence for reason of their sexuality or for any other reason. However, this law is another step towards thought crime, as it outlaws the act of trying to make someone hate something or someone else. According to the Christian Bible, on the one hand, Christians are commanded to love our neighbours whether they are homosexuals or otherwise; on the other hand, we do not endorse the practice of homosexual life. The Bible has always been understood to teach that sexual life is intended for marital relationship between one man and one woman. Therefore, even heterosexual relationship is not acceptable outside marriage. Many people may find such

teaching offensive and ridiculous. Some may even find it threatening. But it is an orthodox belief of the Christian Church, and the propagation of such teaching should not be criminalised. Many advocates of free speech would ascribe to the motto disagree with what you say, but I will defend your right to say it.

Christians and others are already living in an atmosphere of fear when it comes to being allowed to speak openly about their beliefs regarding sexuality. There have been a number of examples in the media where people have been reported to the police, interviewed by police, taken to court and even prosecuted for speaking openly about sexuality, lost their positions at work. For more details of these cases you are welcome to visit the http://www.christianconcernforournation.co.uk/Other/other.php, in particular cases numbers 2, 10, 11, 12, and 17.

In light of these above concerns I would urge the Committee to uphold freedom of speech and to recognise that the proposed amendment is not only an unnecessary measure, but that it would endanger the freedoms that we now enjoy.

Thank you for taking the time to read my submission.

October 2007