A Monthly Publication

By Stuart B J Bellis

We are truly privileged to live in such a beautiful part of England’s ‘green and pleasant land’ - surrounded by marvellous countryside, enjoying such excellent beach and seaside amenities and arguably some of the best sunset views in England.

We are also privileged in having such an excellent town Newsletter where news and views of all shades may be freely expressed.  Indeed we are most fortunate to live in a country where such a freedom is enshrined in the laws of the land - or is it??

There is already an alarming growth in legislation which, under the cloak of being ‘anti- discrimination’ in intent, in practice is relentlessly eroding our once cherished freedom of religious expression. Currently further legislation is being considered that if it reaches the Statute books unaltered, promises to be the most serious threat yet to our freedom of religious expression. I refer to the proposed so-called “Equality Bill”. Under the terms of the bill, harassment is defined as ‘unwanted conduct with the purpose or effect of violating a person’s dignity, or of creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading or offensive environment.’ On the face of it, this seems to be most laudable intention. However, the implication of this law has all the finesse of attempting brain surgery with a chain-saw.

“Church-run care homes could be forced to remove crucifixes from their walls in case they offend ‘atheist cleaners’ under the new Equality Bill, Catholic bishops have warned. The bill is written in such a way that non-Christians could sue for harassment if Church authorities do not remove religious imagery, according to the general secretary of the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales.”   Source: The Daily Telegraph (8/6) - and contrary to the cherished principle of presumption of innocence until guilt is proved, under this legislation guilt will be presumed unless proved otherwise.

This will open a real can of worms. What about a Sikh Doctor being sued because he wears a turban, or a Moslem woman sued because she wears a Burkha, or London Transport being sued for displaying atheistic posters on its buses - or even a committed member of the Flat earth Society suing the Royal Geographic Society for displaying globes on its premises ??   The list is both daft and dangerous. It is but a short step from the creation of a Civil offence to its eventual Criminalisation. This is precisely what has happened in many repressive States around the world such as Communist, Extreme Islamist, or plain Atheist where people are still being put to death for the expression of their faith.

Significantly, it was that notable atheist Voltaire who said, ‘I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.’

Attempting to silence those with whom we disagree is not only offensive to honest thinking people, but it is also stupid and ultimately self-defeating.  There is a profound Chinese proverb which says -  “The man who strikes first admits that his ideas have given out ” 

In 631 A.D. a very brave man was facing the most awful death during the terrible persecution of Christians by the Emperor Julian. One of his tormentors derided him saying - “So where is your carpenter God now?”  he answered - “Making a coffin for your Emperor.”  Within 2 years Julian was dead, but in spite of many centuries of the most fearsome attempts to silence and obliterate Christianity, the Church is still growing - because Jesus IS alive.

Anyone interested in making their point to the Government should contact: Government Equalities Office,
9th Floor, Eland House, Bressenden Place, London SW1E 5DU. Telephone: 020 7944 0601 Fax : 020 7944 0602
Email: CLOAKING

The website is www.equalities.gov.uk/equality_bill.aspx