Victory for Free Speech in the Coroners and Justice Bill: Your action made a difference as House of Lords Upholds the Right to Discuss Homosexual Conduct

20,000-strong Petition taken to the Queen, the Prime Minister and the House of Lords demonstrates concern of Christians on vital free speech and life issues.

A petition with over 20,000 signatures was delivered on the 7th July to Buckingham Palace, No. 10 Downing Street and the House of Lords.  The petition was in response to attempts to legalise assistance with suicide by tabling amendments to the Coroners and Justice Bill and the Government’s plans to effectively gag Christians from openly explaining Biblical teaching on sexual conduct.

Today (9th July 2009)—Praise God!  Peers voted for free speech protection by 186 votes to 133.  This victory is of fundamental importance to Christians and to all who wish to discuss or criticise homosexual conduct freely, without the fear of 7 years’ imprisonment.  We at CCFON, thank you for taking the time to contact Peers and to sign our Petition—collectively we have helped to make a difference.

Despite this great victory today, bear in mind that free speech continues to hang in the balance, as the House of Commons still has to agree to it.

Andrea Minichiello Williams, founder of Christian Concern for our Nation and the Christian Legal Centre, believes the vast majority of Christians and Church Leaders are still unaware of the impact the Bill could have had.

"We hope the Government, which has been trying to remove this free speech protection by the back door, will listen and heed how the House of Lords has voted today and will recognise that if they proceed with their plans, there will be an election coming up soon and Christians will vote in response to the way this Government has consistently marginalised and hindered freedom of speech for every citizen in this country."

Let us continue to pray that our freedom of speech will be protected when the Bill goes back to the Commons.