Britain: Church President Says Religious Hatred Bill May Affect Religious Freedom
A bill to outlaw 'Incitement to Religious Hatred' in Britain may affect freedom of speech among religions, says Cecil Perry, president of the Adventist Church in Britain. The bill was first introduced last summer by Britain's Home Office to prosecute "extremists who stir up hatred against people because of their religious beliefs or lack of religious beliefs."
Perry acknowledged that while there is a "growing intolerance created by the terrible events of recent years. ... Laws made by civil governments to regulate religious and ideological behavior can be abused by those with an agenda aimed at restricting freedom of speech." He explained that the bill may censure how churches go about teaching their beliefs.
"We should not draw any definitive conclusions on the implication of the bill until the parameters are explained fully in law or a test case brings further clarification," he cautioned.
3ABN Makes a Wish Come True
Eight-year-old Sarah knows what she wants. When the little girl who is receiving treatments for a brain tumor, was contacted by the Make-A-Wish Foundation, she knew just what to ask for. The foundation, which grants wishes to children with life-threatening illnesses, normally gets requests to go on an elaborate vacation or meet a famous celebrity. However, Sarah, a devout Seventh-day Adventist, wished to be on the Three Angels Broadcasting Network (3ABN) children's program "Kids Time" and perform with the "Kids Time Singers."
Three Angels Broadcasting Network, an independent Adventist broadcaster, helped to make Sarah's wish come true. Sarah recently taped the program which will be aired on 3ABN July 16th and on www.3abn.org.
Silver Spring, Maryland United States,
Compiled by ANN Staff
A bill to outlaw 'Incitement to Religious Hatred' in Britain may affect freedom of speech among religions, says Cecil Perry, president of the Adventist Church in Britain. The bill was first introduced last summer by Britain's Home Office to prosecute "extremists who stir up hatred against people because of their religious beliefs or lack of religious beliefs."
Perry acknowledged that while there is a "growing intolerance created by the terrible events of recent years. ... Laws made by civil governments to regulate religious and ideological behavior can be abused by those with an agenda aimed at restricting freedom of speech." He explained that the bill may censure how churches go about teaching their beliefs.
"We should not draw any definitive conclusions on the implication of the bill until the parameters are explained fully in law or a test case brings further clarification," he cautioned.
3ABN Makes a Wish Come True
Eight-year-old Sarah knows what she wants. When the little girl who is receiving treatments for a brain tumor, was contacted by the Make-A-Wish Foundation, she knew just what to ask for. The foundation, which grants wishes to children with life-threatening illnesses, normally gets requests to go on an elaborate vacation or meet a famous celebrity. However, Sarah, a devout Seventh-day Adventist, wished to be on the Three Angels Broadcasting Network (3ABN) children's program "Kids Time" and perform with the "Kids Time Singers."
Three Angels Broadcasting Network, an independent Adventist broadcaster, helped to make Sarah's wish come true. Sarah recently taped the program which will be aired on 3ABN July 16th and on www.3abn.org.
Silver Spring, Maryland United States,
Compiled by ANN Staff
