Malcom Duncan

Faithworks welcomes the significant defeat of the motion on the Sexual Orientation Regulations, put forward by Lord Morrow on 9th January 2007. The SORs are designed to outlaw discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation in the delivery of goods, facilities and services.

We encourage our members, and all those of Christian faith, to model Jesus' approach by expressing welcome and embrace, and recognising the dignity of every human being.

Faithworks decided to engage in the debate believing that a strong sense of Christian identity and purpose enables the Church to provide goods and services in a non-discriminatory way, without that identity being diminished.

Public Policy Director, Joy Madeiros, said: "While we fully recognise the importance of a distinctively Christian identity, we believe that equality regulations introduced to date in the UK, including the proposed Sexual Orientation Regulations, enhance rather than detract from our humanity by providing protection of rights for all human beings.

"The regulations are not a threat to a clear Christian identity and ethos. We recognise that we live in a society that has worked hard to create cross-strand diversity and equality, and believe that the Church must be part of this discourse."

Faithworks recognises that there are a number of views across the Christian community in the UK on this matter. We want to encourage the Church to avoid defining people primarily in relation to their sexual preferences but instead as whole human beings, loved by God. Imperfection is a trait that is present in every human life.

Concerned that the tone of the debate has become aggressive and virulent, creating an unattractive witness, Faithworks calls on the Church to reposition itself on this matter in a more confident and compassionate way.

Rev' Malcolm Duncan, Leader of the Movement, said: "This is an opportunity for the Church to rise to the challenge in a positive way, rather than to build a fortress mentality. The Church is not called to judge the world but to serve all people with a clear commitment to the values and example of Christ.

"We need to remember that judgement begins at the house of God. Some elements of the church are guilty of directing judgement on the world rather than on themselves."

We are concerned that there is widespread misunderstanding of the SORs. They apply to the delivery of goods, facilities and services, but some Christians have misinterpreted the word 'services' to include religious ceremonies and rites such as baptism and blessing of same-sex unions, when this is clearly not the case. Churches will not be forced to 'marry' gay people. Likewise, youth groups and schools will not be prosecuted for not promoting a homosexual lifestyle.

We welcome the SORS as an attempt to ensure that goods and services are delivered inclusively and in non-discriminatory ways. It is right that any organisation receiving public funding should deliver services to genuine public benefit.

The delivery of goods and services can relate to situations such as hiring out of rooms, something many churches have voiced their concerns over. A commitment to diversity through doing this does not mean losing your faith identity: it actually presents an opportunity to develop a dialogue and put the Gospel into action through demonstrating love and service.

Government ministers have publicly answered questions of concern over the scope of the proposed legislation, and this information is freely available on Hansard, the record of proceedings in Parliament. The Government also made it clear in the consultation period that it would listen to the voices of religious groups. The Northern Ireland regulations already contain exceptions for religious organisations.

It is also important to remember that the measures contained in the SORs will not replace existing legislation on discrimination. Thus the protection from discrimination on the grounds of religion and belief that Christians currently enjoy will continue.

Many Christians are very clear in their stance on the SORs as they relate to homosexuals. However, they have not articulated themselves so clearly when it comes to heterosexual relationships outside of marriage, which is something on which the Bible also contains clear teaching. Many opponents of the SORs have stated concerns that a Christian hotel owner would be forced to let out rooms to gay couples, but would they be as vociferous about letting out a room to an unmarried heterosexual couple? Why this inconsistency? It brings the Church into grave danger of sounding homophobic.

The SORs do not refer exclusively to discrimination against homosexuals but to discrimination against people on the grounds of any sexuality. Just as a heterosexual could not discriminate against a gay person, neither could a gay person discriminate against a heterosexual person on grounds of their sexuality.

This legislation is an opportunity to demonstrate grace, inclusiveness and love. Christians are called to follow Jesus' example, and he says remarkably little about sexuality in scripture. Rather, he treats all people he comes across with love and acceptance, and does not refuse his service to anyone, even if he does not agree with their lifestyle. Would it really be 'Christian' to refuse bereavement counselling to a gay man, or to exclude a gay person and their child from a parent-and-toddler group? We believe that Christian community organisations, and those of other faiths, can maintain their distinctive faith identities while still serving the needs of their whole communities. We do not interpret the new Sexual Orientation Regulations as a threat to that.

The proposed SORs are an opportunity for Christians to demonstrate the love and grace of Christ. However, vociferous opposition, a lack of constructive dialogue, and threats of civil disobedience mean that the Church is in danger of sounding homophobic and is doing little to give itself a credible voice.