Following engagement with the Evangelical Alliance and other Christian organisations, the Lords have
rejected an ambiguous Government amendment to the Equality Bill which could have prevented churches and Christian organisations from appointing practising Christians to key roles.
On Monday 25 January the Lords voted by a significant margin - 216 to 178 - for a different amendment, from Baroness O'Cathain, which will maintain the status quo.
There is much in the Bill that promotes justice, fairness and equality, all hallmarks of a modern society that the Evangelical Alliance enthusiastically supports. However, it is also important that fundamental liberties, such as freedom of religious belief and expression are maintained.
The Evangelical Alliance's role in explaining the implications of the Equality Bill to Parliament was highlighted in the House of Lords by the Bishop of Winchester, the Right Rev Michael Scott-Joynt, as he argued for the rights of Christian churches and organisations to employ key staff who can represent their employers with integrity.
Following the vote, the Bishop thanked the Evangelical Alliance, alongside the Archbishops' Council and RC Bishops' Conference teams and the Christian Institute, for: "over 6 or 8 months of demanding and concerted Godly work, that lay behind the outcomes on Monday afternoon that I pray will prove significant for the... read more
