The British Humanist Association (BHA) welcomes the comments made by Trevor Phillips at last week’s Westminster Faith Debate, in which he came out strongly against the provision of exemptions for religious organisations on the grounds of ‘conscientious objection’.
Mr Phillips, who has chaired the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) since its inception in 2006, was one of four speakers debating the topic of Religious Identity in ‘Superdiverse’ Societies. As part of the discussion, he lambasted Catholic adoption agencies for fighting lengthy legal battles to avoid accepting homosexual couples.
Strongly backing new legislation outlawing the practice, Mr Phillips said ‘You can’t say because we decide we’re different then we need a different set of laws’. He continued, ‘To me there’s nothing different in principle with a Catholic adoption agency, or indeed Methodist adoption agency, saying the rules in our community are different and therefore the law shouldn’t apply to us. Why not then say sharia can be applied to different parts of the country? It doesn’t work’.
Mr Phillips went on to criticise the growing intolerance displayed by some religious groups towards those that do not share their beliefs, remarking ‘There is something rather odd that is happening amongst what I call the righteous brigade, that is people of good will and so on. And that is that if you don’t agree 100 per cent with them and excoriate people who have a different point of view actually somehow you are joining a bad bunch of people.’
Head of Public Affairs for the BHA, Pavan Dhaliwal, reacted positively to the EHRC chair’s comments: ‘Religious organisations are becoming increasingly adept at using their political influence to claim special privileges under law, a process which clearly threatens the fundamental principle of universal equality. Conscientious objection is regularly used as an excuse by groups who do not feel they should have to comply with anti-discrimination legislation, and often allows them to continue with outdated and unfair practices.’
Ms Dhaliwal continued, ‘The BHA is glad that Mr Phillips has chosen to speak out on this important issue, and notes the recent study by the Richard Dawkins Foundation for Reason and Science (RDFRS UK) which shows that the majority of British Christians support the separation of church and state.’
Notes
For further comment or information, please contact Andrew Copson, Chief Executive at andrew@humanists.uk or on 07855 380 633, or Pavan Dhaliwal, Head of Public Affairs at pavan@humanists.uk or on 0773 843 5059
Read the full research by the RDFRS UK
To purchase the BHA’s recent pamphlet: Right to Object? Conscientious Objection and Religious Conviction, visit our online shop
Read more about the BHA’s work to promote secular public services
For more details about the Westminster Faith Debates, visit their website
The British Humanist Association is the national charity working on behalf of non-religious people who seek to live ethical and fulfilling lives on the basis of reason and humanity. It promotes a secular state and equal treatment in law and policy of everyone, regardless of religion or belief.