Religious freedom at risk: ACL

The Australian Christian Lobby (ACL) claims it is only a matter of time before protection of religious freedoms is diminished in the UK following the passage of marriage equality legislation in the House of Commons.

ACL managing director Jim Wallace said that although the UK bill allows religious organisations to say no to conducting same-sex marriages, a challenge flagged in the European Court of Human Rights could change that.

“Legal expert opinion suggests that the court could rule that if same-sex marriage is normalised in law, any church would be obliged to marry same-sex couples,”  Wallace said.

“The passing of this legislation redefining marriage in the UK is yet another demonstration of governments failing to protect freedom of religion and conscience for churches.”