Gospel Freedoms To Be Lost?

Challenge the pitfalls of the Government's new anti-terrorism guidance

The Government is consulting on new official guidance aimed at combatting terrorism. Unfortunately, whatever the intention of the guidelines, they will have a draconian effect on groups such as Christian Unions (CUs) in universities and colleges. The government has defined 'extremism' very broadly as "vocal or active opposition to fundamental British values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs" (emphasis added). In the current cultural context, it is likely that some people will claim that biblical teaching about marriage, family and sexual ethics or about the uniqueness of Jesus Christ is 'intolerant of other faiths and beliefs'. Such teaching could therefore be banned or restricted, even within a Christian Union setting.