Issue 3 institute March 2003

UpThe frede UK-wide newasletter of Thte Chrisetian Institute

Squeezing churches into a secular mould As the government drafts new employment laws, The Christian Institute calls for greater protection for religious groups

Including: The latest news on our plans to fi nd a bigger Gay adoption: two Christian social workers threatened with the sack building Abortion: leading American fi gure-heads switch sides and become pro-lifers Libertarianism: tthehe ddangersangers ooff tthishis iincreasinglyncreasingly ppopularopular ‘‘anything-goes’anything-goes’ vviewpointiewpoint CONTENTS

Around the nation

Staff from The Christian Institute have continued to travel around the nation holding meetings about our work. These meetings give supporters inside an opportunity to meet staff members and learn more about our work and our campaigns. For people who are unfamiliar with the Institute, Scots smacking law the meetings serve as a good introduction. We Complex new law may work hard to make our meetings professional, catch innocent parents ...p4 encouraging and informative. If you would like The Christian Institute to visit your area, please get in touch. We cannot guarantee to accept every invitation, but we will Cannabis campaign consider each one carefully. The battle against a softer cannabis policy is not over yet ...p4 Squeezing churches Employment plans try to fit churches into a secular mould ...p5 Building appeal More news on our need for a bigger building ...p6 Battle for Fresh attempt to repeal this important child-protection law ...p8 Civil partnerships Government plans to introduce ‘gay marriage’ ...p9 Gay adoption Two Christian social workers threatened with the sack ...p11

The Christian Institute, 26 Jesmond Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4PQ Tel 0191 281 5664 Fax 0191 281 4272 [email protected] www.christian.org.uk The Christian Institute is a company limited by guarantee and a charity registered for the promotion of the Christian faith throughout the . Some recent meetings Registered Charity No. 100 4774 Company No. 263 4440 are marked on the map.

2 Update March 2003 EDITORIAL

Updateinstitute The Sexual Offences Bill is a sad refl ection of our society

fter September 11th, the Government secular politicians have grasped the need heterosexual offences. The upgraded new rushed through its anti-terrorism for stronger protections for children. It offence will have a maximum penalty of six Alegislation. For the fi rst time it was has not always been so. Our existing laws months in jail. made an offence to possess a nuclear largely stem from the work of the Christian But for homosexual offences - relating weapon. It was also felt necessary to create campaigner Josephine Butler (1828-1906) to adults - the new offence will be a major new laws to tackle a person who keeps who, along with others like Bramwell Booth liberalisation of the law. If the current law of a weapon of mass destruction without a and the fl amboyant journalist WT Stead, gross indecency is repealed and replaced licence. tirelessly worked for 16 years. At the end of by the new offence, the maximum penalty Five years ago the idea that we needed the campaign they secured a huge raft of will be slashed from 2 years to 6 months. such laws may have seemed ridiculous. But legislation to protect children. In public lavatories there will be no September 11th changed all that. Whilst Christians can warmly welcome penalty at all if homosexual acts are When you fi rst pick up the the new child sex offences, the same committed inside a toilet cubicle with Government’s new Sexual Offences Bill support cannot be given to other aspects the door closed. The Government points the explicitness of the new sexual offences of the Bill. out that the offence of “outraging public against children can come as a great Because of its commitment to gay decency” will continue to apply. Given the shock. But the need for such laws is a sad rights, the Government wants all of our feeble way in which this law is applied in refl ection of the times in which we live. sex offences laws to be completely neutral such cases, the Government is effectively Those who framed our existing laws never on sexual orientation. The proposals for legalising homosexual activity in public envisaged the sorts of things which child criminalising sexual acts in public refl ect lavatories. abusers would do to children. Child abuse this. The current law on heterosexual So all in all the Sexual Offences Bill is descending to new lows of horrendous conduct in public is based on the common manages to look in two directions at once. depravity. law offence of “outraging public decency”. We can welcome the tougher laws on child You would have thought that our This law has proved to be appallingly weak sex offences, but must vigorously oppose Criminal Justice system would have been in practice. turning more of our public lavatories into quick to respond. Yet what do we fi nd? In 1998 a pornography company fi lmed squalid places of sleazy depravity. Right across the board, convictions for an entire scene on a summer’s day in a Journalists from across the political sexual offences against children have been car park at Heathrow Airport. The sexual spectrum have ridiculed the Government’s falling year after year. A major Home Offi ce activity carried out on the bonnet of a proposal to effectively legalise gay sex Report published in 2000 found that from car was for real, not simulated. It could in public lavatories. In 2001 journalists 1985 to 1995 convictions for the six most not have been more public with 6,000 similarly ridiculed the plan to introduce serious sexual offences against children fell cars fi ling in and out of the car park every ‘incitement to religious hatred’ in the anti- by 31%. day. Yet after convicting the four people terrorism bill. We hope the outcome is the There is clearly a serious problem with involved of outraging public decency, same, and the Government drops its absurd the enforcement of the law. Judges must the court only meted out a conditional proposal. take some of the blame. The new era of discharge – not even a fi ne. “human rights” has also not helped. Used Whilst outraging public decency tends with the existing law it seems to offer to cover heterosexual offences committed far too much scope for abusers to avoid in public, the parallel law for homosexual Colin Hart, Director conviction by citing legal technicalities. conduct is gross indecency. This is a The Government’s new Sexual tougher law where it is much easier to Offences Bill will certainly help in this secure a conviction. respect. The penalties – particularly for To make the heterosexual and the abuse of children aged under 13 – will homosexual laws equal in seriousness be signifi cantly toughened up. Crucially, the Government is therefore faced with a what constitutes sexual abuse will be choice – either upgrade the heterosexual defi ned much more wide widely. The offence, or downgrade the homosexual Sexual Offences Bill is so explicit that MP’s offence. emails about it are being blocked by anti- The Government has chosen to do pornography software at Westminster. That both. The new law on “sexual activity in we should need such laws is incredibly sad. public” will be a signifi cant improvement We can thank God that even our on the way in which the current law tackles

2 Update March 2003 March 2003 Update 3 NEWS

Scotland set for complex new smacking law

By Mike Judge year following widespread criticism. stage of the legislative process, but the However, a legal opinion by a leading Executive has so far ignored these worries. A new smacking law in Scotland is Scottish lawyer says the new law – if The current law works well. The expected to be given the go-ahead by the passed as it is presently drafted – remains Christian Institute has been pressing Scottish Parliament at the time of going to unworkable. the Executive to leave it press. Herbert Kerrigan QC says it will unchanged. Unless amended, the complex new be disproportionate, arbitrary and an Institute Director, Colin law will ban all blows to the head and all infringement of the right to family life. Hart, said: “The decision to shaking. Whilst this sounds good in theory, As currently drafted, the new law also drop the under-three ban there are serious concerns that it could makes the use of a wooden spoon to was a major success, but inadvertently catch ordinary parents for punish a child illegal even though actions unless further changes are trivial incidents. using greater force would be treated more made there is a clear risk The new law will not include a complete leniently. that ordinary parents could ban on smacking under-threes. The An infl uential committee of MSPs be prosecuted over trivial Executive was forced to ditch this ban last highlighted some concerns at an earlier incidents.”

Scottish Justice Minister, Jim Wallace, was forced to drop plans for an under-three ban The campaign against softer cannabis laws is not over yet

There is much criticism By Jonathan Phillips drug will put it on the same end of February, when it will on both sides of level as sleeping pills. go back to the Commons for the debate over the Parliament still has an David Blunkett will use its Report Stage and Third Governments’ confused opportunity to prevent secondary legislation in his Reading, and then on to the and confl icting government plans to soften the attempt to change the law. Lords. proposals. law on cannabis. This means the Commons and There is much criticism on It is believed the Home the Lords will each only have both sides of the debate over Secretary will present his one opportunity to debate the Government’s confused reclassifi cation plans to the measure before a take- and confl icting proposals. Parliament some time near it-or-leave-it vote with no Meanwhile, the Association Easter. However, the plans amendments possible. of Chief Police Offi cers for have then to be accepted by Last year the Government England and Wales, is expected both Houses of Parliament to was forced to make two key to release its much delayed become law. concessions following public new guidelines for policing If David Blunkett is and police concerns. 2 cannabis. successful, reclassifi cation Police will now keep the Previous guidelines of ‘three will be completed by power to arrest for possession strikes and you’re out’, where July.1 Reclassifying of cannabis and the maximum police would only arrest for cannabis from a sentences for dealing or cannabis possession after two class B to a supplying cannabis will be warnings, were abandoned in class C maintained as at present. December following pressure In order to do this, the from rank and fi le offi cers. 4 Government has to amend other legislation, and is 1 House of Commons, Hansard, using its Criminal Justice 10 July 2002, col 887 2 The Independent, 11 July 2002 Bill, currently going through 3 3 Criminal Justice Bill, see Clause Parliament to do so. 9 and Schedule 20 The Bill is now in Standing 4 Daily Mail, 9 December 2002 Committee until the

4 Update March 2003 March 2003 Update 5 NEWS

Religious liberty threatened as Government implements the EU employment directive

By Mike Judge But the Government has agreed to in October 2000. has produced various conveniently said that ‘belief’ If the regulations become publications to help supporters Religious groups will no longer does not include political belief. law it will be illegal for a understand the issue. The be able to dismiss staff who The plans are contained Christian organisation to Institute also held a seminar in renounce their faith, if in draft employment dismiss a member of staff who which was attended Government plans get the regulations which becomes an atheist or even a by representatives of major go ahead. will implement an EU Satanist. Christian employers and Political parties, on the employment directive, While there are some leading Christian lawyers. other hand, will keep the limited exceptions for religious Deputy Director of the right to dismiss members groups to recruit staff on the Institute, Simon Calvert, said: of staff who change their grounds of religion or belief, “It is clear that the government political beliefs. there are no exceptions on the regulations will be a disaster The controversial grounds of sexual orientation. for freedom of religion. No plans are part of a It will be illegal to refuse religious organisation can package of measures to employ or to dismiss a maintain its ethos if it is forced aimed at banning practising homosexual. to employ staff who profoundly workplace The EU directive disagree with the whole basis discrimination includes some limited of the organisation.” based on safeguards for religious A Government consultation religion, groups. However, the UK on the draft regulations ended belief or sexual government has chosen on 24 January. The regulations orientation. The regulations will to ignore many of these will be put before Parliament as squeeze churches into safeguards. secondary legislation sometime a secular mould. The Christian Institute in the fi rst half of this year.

Institute to publish new guide on stopping sex shops

By Chris Prest It contains clear practical advice, case studies, and the The Christian Institute has been monitoring a law as it relates to sex shops. rapid increase in applications for sex shop licences. The Institute hopes the Many people have contacted the Institute for help book will go a long way in opposing plans. The Institute has been able to towards equipping Christians successfully assist in blocking several applications. and others who want to use To help people further, the Institute is set to the law to oppose the sex shop publish a new step-by-step guide to objecting to industry. sex shop applications. Christians believe that sex is The Institute is convinced the law could be used a precious gift of God and have more effectively if people were more aware of how always opposed measures which it operates. cheapen sex and detach it from its proper context The book, entitled Stopping Sex Shops, covers - marriage. Sex shops are an affront to God and the whole process from discovering the initial Christians should resist them. application right through to the application hearing itself.

March 2003 Update 5 BUILDING APPEAL We’re bursting to get a bigger building

By Mike Judge expansion. Walls are covered with shelves packed tight with Common questions about Anyone who has bought a research materials. Banks of house knows the disruption fi ling cabinets are squeezed and stress it can involve. Buying into wherever we can fi nd the our building needs: a property is one of the most space. Computers, printers, What’s wrong with the current building? important fi nancial decisions photocopiers all have to be Our current building has served us well for fi ve years but we anyone can make. The Christian accommodated. This leaves have now outgrown it. The demands of our work mean we Institute needs to buy a larger little room for the staff to work. need a bigger building. Our current building restricts our offi ce building. But at the same Getting a new, bigger offi ce ability to work effi ciently and is a barrier to future expansion. time, we need to continue our building is vital. It will be one In any case, our lease runs out in June this year and will not be vital work. There is an unusually of the greatest challenges we renewed. large number of issues that have ever faced. The Trustees we are currently involved with of the Institute believe we How do you plan to get a new building? (the EU directive, the Sexual would be better to buy a We would prefer not to have to take out a lease again. The Offences Bill, civil partnerships, building than lease one. In the Trustees believe that spending large sums of money on Section 28, and other issues). long-term a mortgage is more rent is not the best use of resources. The best option is to Trying to fi nd a new building cost-effective. We recently buy a building. This is cost-effective in the long-term. It while also responding to all asked a number of our principal has a number of advantages. It would give the Institute these matters of concern supporters for their help. a permanent base and an asset, and expenditure on represents a diffi cult challenge. Already, about 138 of them improvements would benefi t the Institute rather than a We need to move into a have pledged £208,000. This landlord. Our aim is to buy, even if we have to move into new building because our lease is a great start. We are well on temporary rented accommodation before we can fi nd a expires on our current building our way to achieving the down building suited to our needs. later this year. In any case, payment needed to enable us we desperately need more to get a mortgage. How will you use the larger space? space. Our current cramped A larger property will We make cuttings from six national daily newspapers on 75 offi ces are hindering our work certainly mean we can do more distinct categories resulting in 3,000 separate fi les in our fi ling and are a barrier to future of our vital work, but a bigger cabinets. We receive about 70 regular journals and specialist newsletters. We order between 10 and 20 new research reports every month. A bigger building would allow us to work more effi ciently, have space for more fi ling and more staff, and so allow us to expand.

How much will it cost? Our target is £800,000. The more we can raise in our Building Appeal the less we will need to borrow commercially. In fact, there is obviously a limit to the amount we can afford to borrow in this way. We opened the appeal a little while ago by approaching a small number of supporters. We praise God that 138 of them have pledged £208,000. This is a great start. But a bigger building will inevitably mean bigger running costs. So, as well as money for a deposit we will also need to receive increased regular support.

Why Newcastle upon Tyne? Maintaining our Newcastle is where the Christian Institute all started. Our staff and the many volunteers on whom we rely live in or around ongoing work is our the city and can take advantage of good public transport. number one priority. Newcastle is host to major university and professional libraries and one of the UK’s EU documentation centres. Expanding it is our London is only three hours away by train, and Edinburgh is only one-and-a-half hours away. We would prefer to remain ambition. in Newcastle.

6 Update March 2003 March 2003 Update 7 BUILDING APPEAL We’re bursting to get a bigger building

building will also mean bigger proposals to liberalise the laws regular bills. Unless our regular on drugs, and attempts to income increases, this will give the rights of marriage to obviously bite into the income homosexual couples. There will we use for our ongoing work be more challenges than this – our research, our campaigns, - some predictable, others out and our publications. of the blue. There is no doubt Maintaining our ongoing work that having larger premises will is our number one priority. Our better equip us to respond to ambition is to expand it. So these issues. we also need to increase our As our nation continues regular income. This is on top to turn its back on Biblical of needing to raise money for standards, there will be a deposit. increasing need for a clear Whilst looking for a new Christian voice. A bigger building we won’t take our eye building will help us respond to off the ball! There is much that that challenge. requires a Christian response. In the next few months, we Our current face plans to restrict the offi ce building is right of churches and other bursting at the Christian organisations to seams. employ Christians, Government New broadcasting bill continues to discriminate against Christians

By Jon Errington before applying for a licences, unlike any Although the extra determinations other broadcaster. No other groups have for local and national digital programme In the United Kingdom, in to pass this test. licences are welcomed, Christians still the Government’s new While “deregulation to promote retain the stigma of being banned from Communications Bill, foreign competitiveness” is a key principle of the digital multiplexes which these pornographers can now own the bill,1 this clearly does not extend to programmes sit upon. British broadcasting licences religious ownership. The retention of the disqualifi cation but religious groups will remain Some MPs do recognise this in the Bill will have serious long-term unfairly discriminated against. discrimination. In July 1999, a Ten Minute consequences for Christian broadcasters The Bill will become law later Rule Bill was debated in the House who do win licences. this year. of Commons. A majority of 129 MPs For more information contact: It had been hoped that called on the Government to lift the Centre for Justice & Liberty, the government would lift the discrimination in law against Christians The Quadrangle, Crewe Hall, unfair disqualifi cation of religious and other religious groups. Weston Road, Crewe CW1 6UZ. individuals and groups from owning In February 2003 opposition Telephone: 01270 259380; broadcasting licences, but so far MPs tabled amendments to the email: [email protected] they have decided to merely alter the Communications Bill to have grounds for special ‘determinations’. the restrictions removed. These 1 http://www.ukonline.gov.uk/ That means Christians have to amendments were unsuccessful in the NewsRoom/NRArticle/0,1169,1997 persuade the authorities to exercise Commons but are to be tabled again in 11~801b22~fs~en,00.html as at 29 their discretion for a determination fi rst, the House of Lords in April. January 2002

March 2003 Update 7 NEWS

Conservatives abandon support for Section 28 in favour of new proposals

This is a change in party explicit sex education resources policy for the Conservatives were recommended by the who instructed their MPs and Scottish Executive (see more Peers to oppose repeal the last below). time it was attempted in 2000. Christians do not accept the The Conservatives’ policy equivalence of homosexual change will make the attempt relations and marriage. The By Chris Prest to repeal Section 28 more likely Bible teaches that homosexual to succeed. acts are always wrong, 4 that Another attempt to repeal It is understood that Iain the context for sex is marriage Section 28 – the law which bans Duncan Smith has been between one woman and one local authorities promoting put under pressure from man,5 and that sex before or homosexuality in schools and ‘modernisers’ within his own outside of marriage is wrong. 6 other places – is expected to party to be less ‘anti-gay’. Section 28 seeks to protect be passed by the House of During the previous Section children and it works. Christians Commons. 28 battle, public opinion was should pray that Parliament will A Labour backbench MP, firmly in favour of retaining vote to protect children. Kali Mountford, has put down the law. an amendment to the Local In Tony Blair’s own 1 House of Commons, Government Bill to repeal the constituency, 70% of people Hansard, 7 January 2003, col child-protection measure who expressed a view opposed 47 It is understood in England and Wales. The repeal. 2 An independent 2 System Three Poll on that Iain Duncan amendment has Government referendum in Scotland found Section 28, March 2000 Smith has been support.1 that 86.8% of Scots were 3 The Herald, 31 May 2000 put under pressure Opposition leader Iain opposed to repeal. 3 4 Leviticus 18:22; Romans 1: from ‘modernisers’ Duncan Smith announced in Despite public opinion, the 26-27 within his own January that he would allow Scottish Executive repealed 5 Genesis 2:24 party to be less Conservative MPs to have a free Section 28 in 2000. Following 6 Matthew 5:27-28 ‘anti-gay’. vote on Section 28. immediately after that repeal,

Scottish education bosses announce U-turn on ‘inappropriate’ sex and drugs teaching packs

By Chris Prest packs teach that crack is not necessarily similarly inappropriate health education addictive to first-time or occasional users packs could be recommended if Section 28 Controversial sex and drugs education and encourage children to role-play being is repealed south of the border. packs recommended by the Scottish a drug dealer. For over two years Church of Scotland Executive are to be reviewed 18 months LTS chairman, Professor Thomas minister, Revd Iain Murdoch, has put earlier than planned. Wilson, said that some of the materials are pressure on the Executive to stop Learning Teaching Scotland (LTS), “inappropriate for use with young people recommending the packs. the Executive quango responsible for at some or all stages of their education”. A His 11,500-strong petition to the recommending the teaching packs, review will be initiated during the early part Scottish Parliament along with other announced the U-turn in a letter to the of 2003.1 initiatives ultimately led to the recent Scottish Parliament’s Education Committee. The controversial teaching packs were announcement. The controversial sex education packs recommended in the wake of the repeal of include lessons in gay role-play, partner Section 28 in Scotland. 1 Letter to Education Culture and Sport swapping and sado-masochism. The drugs Christians in England and Wales fear Committee, 4 December 2002

8 Update March 2003 NEWS

Institute to publish new booklet on dangers of libertarianism

By Humphrey Dobson political debate. However, this to the protection of life, liberty published in 2003. is not liberty, but licence. and property. Philip Vander Elst outlines What is a truly free society? In The state cannot be neutral It insists that in the areas of the essential tenets of the Britain today the clamour grows in its decision-making and the sex, marriage and the family, Libertarian agenda and its for the freedom to consume Bible tells us the state is given there are no moral and cultural history, set in the context of our hardcore pornography or take to restrain sin. absolutes. It is fundamentally secular cultural climate. drugs. From the political right anti-Christian. Ultimately we see that only Shrill arguments ring out the attack on the Christian In response The Christian a Christian framework for law that any collection of adults foundation of our culture Institute has commissioned provides a sure defence against and children can be ‘a family’. comes from ‘Libertarianism’. Libertarianism: A Christian both anarchy and tyranny. The cries are heard from both This creed demands that the Critique. Written by Philip the left and the right wing in state should be strictly limited Vander Elst, the booklet will be Government to consult on ‘gay marriage’ plans

By Jonathan Phillips Minister for Social Exclusion, outlined the Barbara Roche, Minister for need to tackle what she called ‘inequalities’ Social Exclusion, says the Government plans to introduce a civil resulting from a lack of legal recognition of scheme “…would send a partnership registration scheme for gay partnerships. powerful message about the same-sex couples are to be published for She stated the scheme “…would send a acceptability of same-sex consultation this summer.1 powerful message about the acceptability relationships...” Under the proposals, same-sex of same-sex relationships and about the relationships will be legally recognised unacceptability of the homophobia still far for the fi rst time, and are likely to be given too prevalent in our society.”3 the same entitlements on inheritance tax, Following the summer consultation it is pensions and property currently reserved thought a bill may be published in the next only for married couples. 2 session of parliament. 4 The proposals follow a ten-month review by civil servants into the feasibility 1 What is Labour doing for…lesbians of civil partnerships. and gay men? January 2003, This review was the result of an attempt see www.labour.org.uk/ by the Liberal Democrat Peer, Lord Lester, forlesbiansandgaymen/ as at to introduce civil partnerships in January 29 January 2003 2002. 2 , 7 It is unclear whether the government’s December 2002 civil partnerships scheme will be open 3 Plans to recognise same- to bisexuals. Signifi cantly, it is unlikely to sex couples, 6 December be opened to cohabiting heterosexual 2002, see www.labour.org.uk/ couples. It is thought the Treasury fears gaypartnerships/ as at 29 losing too much in tax revenue. January 2003 The government hopes that by 4 The Independent, 6 excluding cohabiting couples from December 2002 the plans, they will not be seen to be undermining marriage. That is unlikely to impress Christian groups who see the proposals as gay marriage in all but name. The government says civil partnerships are not the same as gay marriage because there is no ‘ceremony’. Announcing the plans, Barbara Roche,

Ridiculous: Gay marriage makes a mockery of real marriage.

8 Update March 2003 March 2003 Update 9 NEWS

Abortion figure-heads switch to pro-life cause

By Humphrey Dobson were based on lies. 2 children in England and Wales The tide may have begun were ended by abortion in Across the Atlantic, January to turn against abortion in the 2001. Yet not one of these was 2003 saw a sombre anniversary. US. Recently President Bush carried out in an emergency to Thirty years ago, on the 22nd called for “compassionate save the life of the mother. 5 January 1973, the US Supreme alternatives” to abortion, Court handed down judgment including sexual abstinence 1 Focus on the Family, Family on Roe v. Wade and its and adoption. 3 In 2002 News, January 2003, page 1 companion case Doe v. Bolton. Congress passed an Act see http://www.family.org/ The decision legalised abortion protecting children who docstudy/newsletters/ in the USA and since then over survive an attempted abortion. a0024012.html as at 29 40 million unborn children have One senior pro-abortion figure January 2003 died by abortion.1 recently lamented that since 2 Focus on the Family, Proof By God’s grace two 1995 there have been 148 of Life, January 2003, pages influential voices from that time votes on measures relating to 2-4 are now speaking out against abortion in Congress “and we 3 Orlando Sentinel, 19 January abortion. Norma McCorvey, lost all but 25 of them”. 4 Pro-life 2003 who took the alias ‘Jane Roe’ in advocates are hopeful a ban on 4 The News & Observer Raleigh, Roe v. Wade, and Sandra Cano, partial-birth abortions will be 19 January 2003 the ‘Mary Doe’ of Doe v. Bolton, passed in 2003. 5 Abortion Statistics 2001, have now joined the Christian Abortion transgresses the Series AS No. 28, The pro-life movement. In fact both sixth commandment “You Stationery Office, 2002, are campaigning to have their shall not murder” and so it will Table 11, page 9 1973 decisions overturned, always matter to Christians. The claiming that the legal cases lives of over 176,000 unborn

Institute launches a new pro-life guide to contraception

By Jon Errington The booklet would also help church Biblical Christians should affirm that leaders who may be faced with questions life begins at conception. Once conception The Christian Institute is currently from church members in this area. has occurred Christians should protect and researching and writing a new publication Many Christian couples will limit the nurture that life. on the subject of contraception. The size of their family through contraception. But some forms of ‘contraception’ work booklet is aimed at Christian couples. It The view of most mainstream protestant by destroying a human embryo created is hoped it will help inform such couples denominations over the past 80 years has after conception. about the pro-life implications of a variety accepted that couples might wish to use The Christian Institute’s booklet will of contraceptive methods. contraception in order to plan a family. describe how the commonest forms of contraception work, including the usual side effects. The Christian Institute hopes it will be a useful resource for all those who are concerned about this area and are looking for information from a pro-life Biblical perspective.

10 Update March 2003 NEWS

Police threaten Church members with arrest for sharing the gospel with teenagers

By Simon Calvert overheard the statement and was distressed. An offi cer told the An offi cer then visited the pastor of the church pastor that anyone A church in Newcastle is breathing a sigh of relief at home and told him anyone from the church from the church after local police withdrew a threat to arrest who told under eighteens about the gospel who told under church members for sharing the gospel with would be arrested. The offi cer could not specify eighteens under eighteens. under which law. about the Calvary Chapel works with dozens of young The pastor of the church contacted The gospel people and their families, many from troubled Christian Institute. The Institute worked would be backgrounds. with lawyers to produce a robust letter to arrested. As well as talking about the Christian faith, Northumbria constabulary, making clear there they provide friendship and practical help. is no law against evangelism, which is protected Problems with the police arose when a under the European Convention on Human volunteer church worker became involved in Rights. discussions with teenagers in a local park. Police solicitors agreed and confi rmed that One asked about homosexuality and was told no attempts would be made to arrest church the Bible says homosexual practice is a sin. A members carrying out youth evangelism. parent telephoned police claiming her daughter

Two Christian social workers face the sack after objecting to gay adoption

They have been By Simon Calvert threatened with dismissal undesirability of same-sex threatened with dismissal unless they agree to support parenting. unless they agree to Two Christian social workers in same-sex couples as carers. Discussions with support homosexual the North West of England have They have between them management about their views couples as carers. been told to choose between almost fi fty years of social work on homosexual adoption were their faith and their jobs. experience, specialising in informal. Norah Ellis and adoption and fostering, an area The formal letter Dawn Jackson where there is a recruitment threatening them with were asked shortage. Both are regarded dismissal therefore came as a by bosses at highly by colleagues. surprise. Sefton Council Both stressed that their As well as contacting The Social Services opposition to homosexual Christian Institute, both have Department if adoption was based on sound instructed solicitors and are they would take professional judgement as well determined to fi ght to keep part in placing as Christian conviction. their jobs - without having to children for Dawn and Norah relied in compromise their faith. adoption with part on The Christian Institute’s They are concerned that a homosexual book, Children As Trophies, Christian social workers around couple. written by Patricia Morgan, a the country will be edged They respected sociologist. out of the profession as a said they The book is a result of pressure to endorse would not. comprehensive analysis of homosexual adoption. They have the available evidence on Now that the law allows since been homosexual parenting. joint adoption by homosexual It found that what couples, the pressure on social evidence there is points to the workers will be even greater.

This book published by The Christian Institute highlights the evidence against 10 Update March 2003 March 2003 Update 11 same-sex parenting. NEWS

Government preparing for Las Vegas-style gambling laws

Christians believe By Chris Prest Other plans included taking into British versions of Las gambling is wrong. away the restriction on the Vegas. It appeals to human Radical new laws to relax the size of jackpots for Bingo halls. Increased access to covetousness and law on gambling are being Bingo halls would be able to gambling also raised enormous glorifi es chance rather drawn up by the Government.1 install jackpot and other types fears over a rise in addiction. than God. The Government outlined of gaming machines. Gamblers Anonymous its Las Vegas-style plans in Advertising restrictions on described gambling as a mental March 2002. 2 Those plans gambling would be relaxed, disorder and said “…the more would allow casinos to offer on-line gambling made easier you expose people to gambling any form of legal gambling, and a gambling regulator the more likely they are to bingo, slot machines with established. suffer from that disorder.”5 unlimited prizes, as well as live Announcing these Christians believe gambling entertainment and alcohol on proposals last year Government is wrong. It appeals to human the gaming fl oor. Minister, Tessa Jowell, said: covetousness and glorifi es The rules requiring “The modernisation of our chance rather than God. membership of a casino 24 gambling laws is long overdue. According to press reports a hours before playing would Both society and technology gambling bill will be published also be abolished. have overtaken the law and late this year. 6 when that happens, the Government must act.”3 1 The Herald, 27 January 2003 Alan Cavill of Blackpool 2 A Safe Bet for Success Challenge Partnership said – Modernising Britain’s that with unemployment Gambling Laws, Department at nearly 14 per cent, the for Culture, Media and prospect of huge “resort Sport, March 2002 casinos” was too good to 3 10 Downing Street Press ignore. 4 Release, 26 March 2002 Opponents of the 4 Daily Express, 27 March 2002 proposals fear that towns 5 Loc cit like Blackpool will be turned 6 The Herald, 27 January 2003

ProposedProposed all-nightall-night drinkingdrinking lawlaw putput beforebefore ParliamentParliament

By Chris Prest However former Health Secretary Frank The Bible speaks Dobson argued that the proposals would clearly against The Government has announced proposals lead to more anti-social behaviour in town drunkenness. 6 The to radically overhaul alcohol licensing laws. centres. 3 Christian Institute Under the Licensing Bill, announced Eric Appleby, director of Alcohol opposes these plans. in the Queen’s Speech, licensed premises Concern, said the move could encourage including pubs will be able to sell alcohol underage drinking. 4 1 The Independent, 6 November around the clock seven days a week. Concern has been growing over heavy 2002 Shops and supermarkets will also be drinking. According to a recent study many 2 Daily Mail, 16 November 2002 allowed to sell alcohol throughout the more Britons than previously thought 3 Scottish Daily Mail, 16 November night. drink so heavily that they damage their 2002 The ban on unaccompanied children in relationships, their health, jobs or careers. 5 4 The Independent, 6 November bars will also be lifted. The Government was narrowly defeated 2002 Tony Blair says it will help tackle anti- in the Lords on 13 January on the all-night 5 The Independent on Sunday, 26 social behaviour.1 Ministers have claimed it drinking proposals, but MPs are likely to May 2002 will also improve the quality of life. 2 overturn this. 6 Romans 13:13; Galatians 5:21

12 Update March 2003