Response from The Christian Institute on Ashers Baking Company Victory

Click on image above to read the response of The Christian Institute to the landmark victory for the Ashers Baking Company at the UK's Supreme Court.

Those who disagree with Transgender procedures within the Girl Guides are sacked

In a letter published today in the Belfast Newsletter Mr Callum Webster, the Northern Ireland officer for the Christian Institute, has outlined the fallout for those who disagree with the new transgender procedures recently adopted by the Girl Guides association. Those who disagree have been sacked!

This display of liberal intolerance is no surprise. Everyone must show tolerance towards all the perversions of the day and make accommodations for them. But when a Christian or someone else objects to these sinful practices then the real spirit among the socially liberal is displayed. It is a spirit of intolerance.

Helen Watts is one of the expelled volunteers. Her story was featured on the BBC News website recently - Girlguiding says girls not at risk from trans inclusion

In his letter Mr Webster responds to the claims of the Girl Guides leaders.

The lesson for girl guides? Shut up about transgender concerns 

Last year Girlguiding UK opted to let men can join as leaders – if they feel they have been born in the ‘wrong’ body. Likewise, boys who say they are girls could use female toilets, changing rooms, tents and showers. If this were not enough, in both instances the organisation advised leaders not to tell parents if their daughters would be affected. 

The Iniquitous March of Transsexualism

Two stories highlighted by the Christian Institute, this past week, bear witness to the iniquitous onward march of 'Transsexualism' in our society. [Click on the title of the article and the link will take you to the Christian Institute website]

1. Prof: ‘only one in every 20,000 kids has trans feelings’

A professor at a controversial ‘gender identity’ clinic for children has said that just “one child born in every 20,000” experiences transsexual feelings.

Professor Gary Butler, clinical lead at the UK Gender Identity Development Service, stressed that it is “incredibly rare” for children to ‘question their gender’.

2. ‘Children being pushed into transsexualism’
Therapists are ignoring parents’ concerns and children’s underlying health issues to encourage transsexualism, a newspaper has been told.

According to one mother, her daughter was referred to a ‘gender identity’ clinic after an appointment lasting less than an hour.

Over 3,000 people support the Ashers' Bakery owners

A special meeting had been arranged by the Christian Institute to show support for the owners of the Ashers Bakery. Over 3,000 people attended. There were 2,500 people in the main hall, 300 in an overflow hall and 500 people outside. Typically the BBC said there was only over 2,000. Those within the main auditorium gave Daniel McArthur, the bakery's general manager, a standing ovation before he spoke and again when he had finished speaking.

See the following reports:

Belfast Newsletter - Waterfront overflows with ‘gay cake’ bakery supporters

Belfast Telegraph - Christian Institute rally for Ashers Baking Company held at the Waterfront Hall Belfast

BBC News - Ashers Baking Company: Show of support for County Antrim firm's stance in 'gay cake' row

Ashers Bakery owners in Court this incoming week

The owners of Ashers Baking Company are due in court this incoming week, in Belfast, accused of discrimination against sodomites.

The Ashers Baking Company refused to make a cake with the pro-gay marriage slogan ‘Support gay marriage’ emblazoned upon it, along with pictures of two characters from Sesame Street and the name of the group, Queerspace. Interestingly, Gay/sodomite marriage is presently illegal in Northern Ireland. The impression created in many minds is that the Bakery was targeted by those who knew the Christian beliefs of the owners.

The Bakery owners are being taken to court by the Stormont funded Equality Commission. This unelected quango wrote to the Bakery last July threatening legal action if it did not apologise and pay compensation for refusing service. The owners rightly refused and in November the Equality Commission decided to press ahead with the case.

The cost of sin to society

The Christian Institute website is carrying an interesting article about the cost to society of immoral living. It contains research carried out by the Jubilee Centre [see information on front page of blog about the policy of linking to external sites]. 

It reckons that around £100 billion is spent each year dealing with the problems that come from sinful living. No nation will prosper that abandons Bible morality: Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people, Proverbs 14:34.

To read the full article on the Christian Institute website click here

To read the full research article on the Jubilee Centre website click here

Christian Institute Statement on Christian Foster Case

The Christian Institute has sent out the following release about the Christian Foster case involving Mr & Mrs Johns

The media has reported the case of Mr and Mrs Johns, a Christian couple who faced difficulties in fostering children because of their views on homosexuality.

Much media reporting on this issue, and even some comments by Christians, have, in our view, been wide of the mark.

The impression has been given that the High Court has ruled that Christians who believe that homosexuality is morally wrong cannot foster children. This is not true. No such ruling has been made.

Christians are deeply concerned about the dramatic comments by the High Court judges in this case. It is no surprise that national newspapers are drawing attention to what has been said. Derby City Council seems to want a gay rights test to assess any potential foster parent. If so, this Council will be encouraged by the High Court, but thankfully other councils are free to take a different view.

Equality laws have closed down adoption agencies and are now being used against pillars of the community, such as Mr and Mrs Johns in this case and Mr and Mrs Bull, the Christian B&B owners from Cornwall.

The last government created a conflict of laws. It is for Parliament to unscramble this conflict. That is what we want to see.

Let us pray for those in authority that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. (1 Tim 2:1-4).

Let us also pray that those in authority will defend vulnerable children and give them the opportunity to be raised in a loving home.

A full statement by The Christian Institute is available here.

Church volunteer status saved

The Christian Institute is reporting a significant victory obtained in the supreme court today.

They report:
I am pleased to give you some good news about an issue supported by our Legal Defence Fund. Following an important ruling in the Court of Appeal, volunteer Sunday school teachers, church elders, deacons, prayer group leaders and all other church volunteers have been saved from an avalanche of equality diktats. The Christian Institute intervened in the case and urged the Court of Appeal not to treat volunteers as though they had the same rights as employees under a European Equal Treatment Directive.

Read more here

Tokens for good!

More often than not it seems that the stand for Christian values suffers setbacks. Thankfully here are two cases in which the opposite is true. We thank the Christian Institute for all their labours to defend and maintain our civil and religious liberties.

1. Birmingham street preacher wins wrongful arrest case

An autistic Christian street preacher who was handcuffed and arrested for speaking out against homosexuality and many other sins has been awarded £4,250 in damages following a court case against West Midlands Police. Read more on the Christian Institute website.

2. Cumbria Police payout for arrest of Christian

In a second similar case in recent days, a Christian street preacher has won £7,000 plus costs from Cumbria Police in settlement for a claim of wrongful arrest, unlawful imprisonment and breach of his human rights. Read more on the Christian Institute website.

Guesthouse owners sued over double bed policy

The Christian Institute has asked for prayer for owners of a Cornish Guesthouse who are due in court next court on Monday.

The owners of a Cornish guesthouse are due to appear in court on Monday because they restrict double bed accommodation to married couples.

Peter and Hazelmary Bull are being sued by homosexuals, Steven Preddy and Martyn Hall, who claim the policy is discriminatory.

The guesthouse is not just a business, it is also Mr and Mrs Bull's own home.

The case will be heard at Bristol County Court on Monday 13 December and is scheduled to last for two days.

The claim is brought under the Equality Act (Sexual Orientation) Regulations, the same laws that have caused faith-based adoption agencies to close down or drop their religious ethos.

If the claim against the guesthouse is successful, Mr and Mrs Bull may be ordered to pay up to £5,000 to Mr Preddy and Mr Hall for injury to their feelings.

Mr Preddy and Mr Hall's legal fees are being paid by the Government-funded Equality and Human Rights Commission. The Christian Institute is funding Mr and Mrs Bull's legal defence.

This case could determine whether Christians are permitted to operate B&Bs that restrict double bed accommodation to married couples.

Prayer is requested:

For Peter and Hazelmary Bull, that they will know God's love and support during this difficult time.

For the judge, that he will come to a just decision.

For our legal team, that they will present the case clearly and persuasively.

For the news media, that they will publish balanced and accurate reports.

For the staff of The Christian Institute, as we support and advise Peter and Hazelmary. 

For more information download a fact sheet about the case here.

A good night for Christian liberty!

I'm not talking about the shenanigans that is taking place at Stormont or Hillsborough Castle.

Last night in the Lords the Government was defeated in its attempt to make Christian organisations employ sodomites.

For further information see:
Lords defeat Government over church staff - Christian Institute
Lords defeat for Harman over forcing churches to hire gays - Daily Mail

If this law had gone through it would have meant that Christian organisations would no longer be able to turn down for employment anyone who does not agree with their theological position.

Churches, etc. have a special status that lets them turn down applicants whose lifestyles conflict with the churches' beliefs, even if they are otherwise well qualified for the job.

Churches can turn down candidates for jobs as ministers if they practice sodomy, or if they have changed their sex or are women.

We appreciate the work of the Christian Institute in this matter.