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Christians are susceptible to being branded ‘extremists’ underneath the federal government’s new definition of extremism printed this week, a marketing campaign group has warned.
The new definition says that “extremism is the promotion or development of an ideology primarily based on violence, hatred or intolerance, that goals to” amongst different issues “negate or destroy the basic rights and freedoms of others”.
Christian Concern stated that Christians who’re pro-life, gender-critical or have traditionalist beliefs about marriage might fall foul of the brand new definition.
“Christians who’re pro-life may very well be seen as being against an assumed ‘basic proper’ to abortion and thus to be ‘illiberal’ and so extremist. It is already the case that being anti-abortion is on a Prevent checklist of ideologies seen as potential indicators of extremism,” the organisation stated.
“Christians who’re against same-sex ‘marriage’ is also seen as wishing to ‘negate or destroy the basic rights and freedoms of others’ and to be ‘illiberal’.”
Prevent is the federal government’s counter-terrorism scheme that goals to cease people from turning into terrorists.
Christian Concern pointed to examples of Christians who’ve already been reported to Prevent for his or her beliefs, together with college chaplain, Rev Dr Bernard Randall, who was referred over a sermon by which he informed college students they didn’t need to agree with LGBT ideology. In one other incident, Christian teacher Svetlana Powell was reported to Prevent after saying “God loves you” to a lesbian pupil.
Christian Concern stated that the brand new extremism definition was “imprecise” and will result in real Christians being excluded from influencing authorities coverage.
Andrea Williams, chief government of Christian Concern, stated the definition was “not match for function” and that she anticipated to see extra Christians being reported to Prevent.
“It is absurd that Christians may very well be deemed ‘extremist’ for believing in actual marriage or for being pro-life,” she stated.
“Christian Concern has supported Christians who’ve been referred to Prevent for expressing their Christian beliefs. The new definition of extremism ought to have ensured that this might not occur once more.
“Sadly, I now count on to see extra referrals of Christians to Prevent, not much less.”
She referred to as on the federal government to make clear that ‘basic rights’ don’t embrace abortion, same-sex marriage or figuring out as the alternative intercourse.
“Without this clarification, Christians who categorical their legit perception that marriage is between a person and a lady would threat being deemed ‘extremist’ by the federal government,” she stated.
“We urge the federal government to urgently make clear what ‘basic rights’ are meant within the definition of extremism.”
