Christians are being warned that the Westminster government could use a European Union referendum as a distraction to inspect churches.
According to Christian Today, Colin Hart, director of the Christian
Institute, said the debate over the European Union might take the
public’s attention while “highly contentious legislation” is pushed
through.
That legislation, Hart said, includes proposals to allow Ofsted to
inspect churches and plans for Extremist Disruption Orders. Hart said he
is worried Christians could be labeled as “extremists.”
"Christians must not stop holding the Westminster Government to account
over its proposals," he said. "We will be on our guard but Christians
across the nation also need to be vigilant and ready to speak out to
prevent this happening."
The Christian Institute has teamed up with the National Secular Society
and the Peter Tatchell Foundation, a gay rights campaign group. The
three usually opposing groups are now fighting together to form the
Defend Free Speech campaign to oppose the plan for the Extremist
Disruption Orders.
Under the proposal, an EDO would be issued by the High Court when it is
suspected that someone is “participating in activities that spread,
incite, promote or justify hatred against a person (or group of persons)
on the grounds of that person's (or group of persons') disability,
gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, and/or transgender
identity.”
"Law-abiding citizens, such as Christians, could be caught by the vague
definitions of extremism that get bandied about when ministers are
trying to talk tough," Hart said.
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