Memorandum submitted by Elaine Naughten (CJ&I 24)

As a practicing Christian I am disturbed by the proposals to amend the Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill, making it a criminal offence to incite hatred on the grounds of sexuality.

May I make it clear that I feel no hatred towards homosexually active people or towards anyone contravening what I understand to be Christ's teachings.  As a Christian I follow Jesus' teachings as I understand them and have taught my children what I believe.  My beliefs are at odds with many people's beliefs and teachings and many people's teachings are at odds with my beliefs.

My concern is that teaching that something is against God's will may be taken in the future to be "incitement to hatred" if someone hears that teaching and then starts to hate other people-for example practicing homosexuals, prostitutes, womanisers etc. The Church always teach hate the sin but not the sinner (as Jesus so obviously taught).  It is not due to the teaching that some people misunderstand and start to hate the sinner as well as the sin.   I know even in the Church there is not clarity over what is sin but we must be allowed in this free society to debate these issues without legal threats.

If there are threats against anyone there are many other protections already enacted in criminal law.  As to causing offence, this is bound to happen in a free society.  I am offended when I hear Christians called infidels and when I hear Christ's name used as a swear word.  This does not mean that I try to persuade the government to bring in a law outlawing this.  Being offended is something we all have to live with in a free society where everyone is allowed to air their views.  It is a cost worth paying and who knows we might learn a thing or two while listening to someone else's point of view.

 October 2007