Press Release

United Christian Broadcasters – a view on proposed additions to the Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill

8th November 2007

United Christian Broadcasters (UCB), one of the UK’s leading Christian media ministries shares concerns raised by some Christian organisations in the UK, over the Government’s proposed additions to the Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill, which would extend the offence of incitement to racial hatred to cover hatred against persons on the basis of their sexuality.

UCB would always condemn homophobia (defined as an irrational prejudice against a person based on a dislike of their homosexuality) and therefore condemn any resultant unfair treatment and harassment of homosexuals. However, while we support the right of all individuals to live free of harassment and persecution, as a national Christian broadcaster, we also believe strongly in the individual’s democratic right to express a Bible-based and/or evangelical viewpoint on issues of concern.

We would therefore strongly oppose any Government ruling which would unfairly jeopardise expression of religious viewpoints on this or any other ethical or social issue (insomuch as those views do not lead to physical harm being caused to any individual).

UCB welcomes the opportunity to have an open discussion with the Government on this and other issues related to freedom of speech, to ensure that in seeking to protect one people group, the proposed additions do not, by default discriminate against people of religious conviction.