Christians risk being labeled “extremists” under the new definition of extremism published by the government this week, a campaign group has warned.
The new definition says that “extremism is the promotion or advancement of an ideology based on violence, hatred or intolerance, which aims, among other things, to deny or destroy the fundamental rights and freedoms of ‘others’.
Christian Concern said Christians who are pro-life, gender-critical or have traditionalist beliefs about marriage may not fall under the new definition.
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“Pro-life Christians could be seen as opposed to a so-called ‘fundamental right’ to abortion and therefore as ‘intolerant’ and therefore extremist. Prevent list of ideologies considered potential signs of extremism,” the organization said.
“Christians opposed to same-sex “marriage” could also be seen as wishing to “deny or destroy the fundamental rights and freedoms of others” and as being “intolerant.”
Prevent is the government’s counter-terrorism program which aims to prevent people from becoming terrorists.
Christian Concern cited examples of Christians who have already been reported to Prevent because of their beliefs, including the school chaplain, Reverend Bernard Randall, who was mentioned for a sermon in which he told students that they did not have to agree with LGBT ideology. In another incident, a Christian teacher Svetlana Powell was reported to Prevent after he said “God loves you” to a lesbian student.
Christian Concern said the new definition of extremism was “vague” and could lead to Christians being prevented from influencing government policy.
Andrea Williams, chief executive of Christian Concern, said the definition was “not fit for purpose” and she expected to see more Christians reported to Prevent.
“It is absurd that Christians can be considered ‘extremists’ because they believe in true marriage or because they are pro-life,” she said.
“Christian Concern has supported Christians who have been referred to Prevent for expressing their Christian beliefs. The new definition of extremism should have ensured that this does not happen again.
“Unfortunately, I now expect to see more Christians oriented toward prevention, not fewer.”
She called on the government to clarify that “fundamental rights” do not include abortion, same-sex marriage or identifying as the opposite sex.
“Without this clarification, Christians who express their legitimate belief that marriage is between a man and a woman would risk being considered ‘extremist’ by the government,” she said.
Originally published on Christian Today UK
