The Report - Evangelical Christians and Equality
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The newspaper headlines read "Christian couple barred from fostering children because of their views on homosexuality" and "B&B owners punished for being faithful to Christian teaching".
They refer to two recent cases brought to court under the 2006 Equality Act: Eunice and Owen Johns who believed their Pentecostal faith was being used to prevent them caring for foster children and Stephen Preddy and Martyn Hall, a gay couple who won damages again patrons of a guesthouse run in line with what the owners believe are Christian teachings and who refused to rent out double bedded accommodation to the couple.
In "The Report" Matthew Hill asks what really happened in these cases, and why they ended up in court. He talks to the key people involved - and the organisations supporting the different sides. They include a Christian campaign organisation, a Christian charity and the Equality and Human Rights Commission, funded by the taxpayer.
Are these cases part of a "battle for influence" amongst groups using the law as a way of increasing their leverage in society?
Published on Thursday, 24th March 2011.
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