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News archive

News archive 2005


Religious Liberty:

Joe and Helen complained to Wyre Borough Council.
 

Couple quizzed by police for
complaining about 'gay rights'

An elderly couple have been interrogated by the police for over an hour because they complained to the council about its gay rights policies.

More information

   
Civil Partnerships:
 

Civil partnerships
undermine marriage

As civil partnership ceremonies take place for the first time in the UK this week, The Christian Institute is speaking out against new civil partnership scheme.

More information

Registrars cannot be forced to carry out civil partnerships

   
Jerry Springer the Opera:
 

Tesco joins Sainsbury's
in pulling Springer DVD

Sainsbury's, Tesco, Asda and Woolworths are not selling the Jerry Springer the Opera DVD in their shops. But other companies are still promoting the blasphemous production.

More information

If you would like to know what Jerry Springer the Opera is, read this article or download our PDF leaflet.

   
Latest Publication:
 

December Newsletter

Download the Institute's December Newsletter which includes the latest news on the Religious Hatred Bill, the Equality Bill, and much more.

More information

   
Christmas:
David Holloway of Jesmond Parish Church.  

A Christmas message
of 'Life and Light'

A Christmas message by Revd David Holloway, Vicar of Jesmond Parish Church, Newcastle upon Tyne.

More information

   
Religious Freedom:
The harassment clause has been referred to the discrimination law review.

 

Government backs down
over religious harassment

Following its comprehensive defeat in the House of Lords, the Government has agreed to drop the religious harassment law from the Equality Bill.

More information

   
Religious Freedom:


 

Religious Hatred Newsletter

Download the Institute's newsletter, as well other resources, on the proposed Incitement offence.

More information

   
Religious Freedom:

The Government lost by 149 votes.


 

Massive defeat for the
Government in the Lords

An amendment introducing safeguards into the proposed Religious Incitement Bill, has been passed by the Lords.

More information

Voting Figures

   
Religious Freedom:
Lady O'Cathain has sought to protect Christian freedom in the Equality Bill.

 

Lords reject Government's
religious harassment plans

The House of Lords has voted to strip out the religious harassment provisions from the Equality Bill. The provisions threatened, among other things, to ban Bibles from hospital bedsides and Christian evangelism in prisons.

More information about the vote

More information on the Equality Bill

   
Religious Freedom:


 

Incite your own meeting

The Christian Institute is encouraging Christians to run their own meetings about the proposed Incitement to Religious Hatred law.

Find out more

   


Religious Freedom:


 

Incitement to Religious Hatred:
FAQs & Latest briefing


An incitement to religious hatred law would harm religious liberty and freedom of speech.

Frequently Asked Questions
Pdf Word

Latest Briefing
Incitement to Religious Hatred

   


Religious Freedom:


 

Thousands of Christians
at gospel freedom rally

View photos of a rally that took place outside Parliament in protest at the Government's religious hatred Bill.

Photo Gallery

More information about the Religious Hatred Bill

   
Religious Freedom:


Pastor Daniel Scot: Speaks about facing a possible prison sentence.

 

Incitement to Religious Hatred:
Daniel Scot Meetings

Listen to Daniel Scot and hear how he was caught under a "religious vilification" law in Australia. Hear also from others, including a legal expert, about the UK Government's plan for an Incitement to Religious Hatred offence.

Daniel Scot Meeting

Legal Implications

Find out more

   


Religious Freedom:


 

Equality Bill could be
trouble for churches


The Government's Equality Bill contains provisions that could be used to remove the Bible from hospitals and hotels.

More information on the Equality Bill

   


Religious Freedom:


Sir Iqbal Sacrani
Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain

 

Muslims want Qu'ran exempt
from 'religious hatred' law


A delegation of Muslim leaders met with the Home Secretary asking for the Qu'ran to be totally exempted from the effects of the planned 'incitement to religious hatred' offence. [more]

   


Religious Freedom:


 

Religious Hatred Bill:
Analysis of the votes


The Christian Institute has produced Excel spreadsheets showing the breakdown of the key votes at Second Reading, Report and Third Reading in the Commons.

You need Microsoft Excel to read these files:
Second Reading vote
Final Stages vote

   


MPs' Votes:

 

Our MPs' votes database
updated with new intake


The MPs' Votes online database has now been updated with all the new intake of MPs following the General Election in May 2005.

This database will be updated in the future to record votes on the issues the Institute is involved in. To view your MP's voting
record, click here.

   


Religious Freedom:


Home Secretary
Charles Clarke is responsible for the plans

 

Government launches
'religious hatred' plans


The Government has published its proposals to introduce an 'incitement to religious hatred' offence.

This will be the Government's third attempt. The measure failed to get through Parliament on two previous occasions due to fears it could be used to prosecute ordinary criticism of other religions.

   


Election 2005:

 

Election briefing sets
out Institute's concerns


The main party manifestos have been analysed in the light of our Christian beliefs.

Download the 24-page briefing:
pdf Word

   


Jerry Springer Opera:


Grossly offensive:
the show portrays Jesus as a sexual deviant who hits women

 

BBC faces High Court after
showing Springer opera


The BBC is facing legal action in the High Court following its broadcast of 'Jerry Springer the Opera'. The Christian Institute is seeking a declaration that the BBC broke its Royal Charter in broadcasting the show.

Read our press release

   


Religious Liberty:


Daniel Scot:

Taken to court for criticising Islam

 

Pastor 'guilty' under Aussie
vilification law visits UK


A Pakistani Christian pastor who has been unfairly convicted under 'religious vilification' laws in Australia has visited the UK.

An Australian court found Pastor Daniel Scot 'guilty' of religious vilification after he criticised Islam in a church seminar.

He was in the UK to urge the British Government not to introduce an 'incitement to religious hatred' offence here.

More

   


Religious liberty :


Charles Clarke
:
New Home Secretary now responsible for the plans.

 

Briefing on 'incitement to
religious hatred' plans


The Government wants to bring in a new law against 'inciting religious hatred'. The proposals would have a serious impact on freedom of speech.

Download our briefing on the proposals:
pdf   Word