The Pope has entered the debate about whether the Equality Bill going through Parliament is an expression of freedom, or a curtailment of freedom.
The Christian Institute and Christian Concern for Our Nation have been very vocal in asking for the current law, which enables faith groups to choose their staff with consideration to their beliefs, to remain unchanged. Rabel supports this campaign, and the current stage is successful in that an important amendment was passed in the Lords that keeps the present situation as it is.
Yet some groups have attacked this move, claiming that it is an affront to the rights of homosexuals. Most depressingly, some attacks have come from liberal Christians.
Yet it remains clear: the Church cannot take its lead from the World on moral standards. If the Government insists on undoing the amendment and legally enforcing churches to employ those whose lifestyles are contrary to Biblical teaching, it may be that many churches will be forced, instead, to ignore the law.
Yes, people, whether heterosexual or homosexual, whether white or whether black, should be free to live in peace. Yet I would not expect a Muslim group to have to employ someone who believes Muslims should be murdered swiftly. I would not expect a gay nightclub to be forced to employ a violent homophobic as a bouncer. Likewise, a Christian church should not be forced to employ someone who blatantly disregards the church's teaching.
