Britannia Radio

24 hours left for you to comment online on the government’s new policy framework There’s just one day remaining for you to comment on the Coalition’s programme for government. The government has promised to consider all the suggestions made and to publish a response to those areas attracting most interest. So, this is a great opportunity to let the new government know what you think about their plans. You can find the Coalition’s proposals by clicking here and then selecting the relevant policy areas. To comment, click on a policy heading and scroll to the bottom of the page. Responses must be posted on the website before 6pm on Thursday, 10th June. There are many different areas. We have tried to highlight some of the most important points below. You may comment on as many areas as you like. Please put your responses in your own words; they do not need to be in the form of a question—comments may be better. Please remember to be polite and respectful, underlining positive aspects of the government’s programme as well as raising concerns and questions. Why not also express appreciation for the opportunity to comment on these proposals and ask that a similar approach be adopted in the future? Key Issues Christian organisations’ role in society, Schools, Families, The value of life, Christian freedoms, Broadcast and advertising, Foreign policy,Islam Christian organisations’ role in society Churches and Christian groups already make a huge contribution to the wellbeing of our nation and many want to do more. The government’s intention to make it easier for community groups to play an active role in serving society seems to have many positive aspects. However, in the recent past, many Christian-ethos organisations have found it increasingly difficult to secure funding and support from local government whilst maintaining their commitment to Christian beliefs and behaviour. If churches and Christians are to play an active part in the ‘Big Society’, this issue needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency. What action will the government take to reverse the prevailing policy framework? You could comment on these issues under the sections ‘Communities and Local Government’, ‘Schools’ and ‘Social Action’. Schools The government’s intention to make it easier for parent and community groups to set up schools is an exciting development. Will the government ensure that Christian groups are able to commit themselves to Christian belief and behaviour in the foundation and administration of such schools? Will they be able to reflect this in their admissions policies and the selection of teachers? Will the government protect the freedom of existing Christian schools to maintain their Christian character even if they convert to Acadamies, especially in the areas of selection of pupils and teachers? The government’s plan to give heads and teachers the powers that they need to promote discipline and good behaviour in schools is a positive development. How will the government ensure that this happens? How will the government ensure that heads are held accountable for the financial decisions that they make? What changes will the government bring to sex education in schools? How will the government ensure that schools do not create an expectation amongst children that they can engage in sexual relationships and access contraception and abortion without their parents’ knowledge? Will it be made clear that parents have the right to withdraw their children from sex and relationships education in schools and academies if they are uncomfortable with the institution’s policy? Will the government ensure that sex and relationships education is not taught to children under the age of 10? You could comment on these issues under the sections ‘Schools’, ‘Communities and Local Government’, and ‘Public Health’. Families The government’s support for marriage is to be welcomed (although the biblical and traditional definition of marriage needs to be defended and subtle attempts at redefinition resisted). Will they make more money available for marriage preparation and counselling? How will the government ensure that parents have adequate time with their children, especially given the growing presumption that both parents will work even when children are young? Will the government make Sunday a special day again, so that families can be together? Will the government repeal the 24-hour drinking laws and regulate gambling more stringently? You could comment on these issues under the sections ‘Families and Children’and ‘Communities and Local Government’. The value of life The Resistance Campaign highlights the dangers of legalising assisted suicideand calls for legal protections for the terminally ill and disabled to be maintained. What steps will the government take to ensure that these provisions are not undermined and that budget cuts do not undermine adequate palliative care. Meanwhile, disabled babies can be aborted up until birth. Will the government change the law so that disabled people’s lives are protected to the same extent as other people’s, communicating that they are equally valuable in the eyes of the law? It seems that women are often put on a ‘conveyor belt’ toward abortion if they express any uncertainty about what to do in a crisis pregnancy situation. Is the government prepared to insist that women are told about the risks and long-term consequences of abortion and that mothers are shown a scan of their unborn child? Will the government promote ‘sexual abstinence outside of marriage’ as a responsible and right way to avoid pregnancy or will the prevailing bias against this position continue? You could comment on these issues under the sections ‘Social Care and Disability’, ‘Public Health’, ‘Schools’ and ‘NHS’. Christian freedoms As our recent consultation response explained, the Equalities and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) appears to be pursuing an agenda different from that specified for it in legislation. In particular, it seems to be promoting a ‘one size fits all’ approach to equality that denigrates certain rights—especially that of believing and behaving according to biblical teaching. Public money should not be spent in a way that departs from the official mandate of the organisation. If the EHRC continues down this course, what steps will the government take to reform it, replace it or close it down, so that diversity and a broad range of rights are protected? What steps will the government take to ensure that Christians can continue to articulate publicly the biblical position even on controversial subjects such as sexual ethics? Will the government ensure that the historic right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion on which our democracy is founded, is properly protected in any new Bill of Rights and not effectively ‘squeezed out’ by the development of a hierarchy of rights? Will the government introduce a duty of ‘reasonable accommodation’ for employers, so that Christians’ freedom of conscience is respected in the workplace? How will the government ensure that Christian freedoms are protected during the adoption of any further European legislation? You could comment on these issues under the sections ‘Equalities’, ‘Civil Liberties’ and ‘Europe’. Broadcasting and advertising There is a danger of a further reduction in the amount of Christian broadcasting on mainstream television and radio, exacerbated by financial pressures. Will the government ensure that provisions for religious broadcasting are maintained and enforced and that such broadcasting reflects the foundational position of Christianity in shaping the culture of the UK? Given the government’s determination to protect the innocence of children, what steps will it take to protect them from the increasing exposure to sexual and violent material on billboards, on television and in other media? Will the government set up an independent review of the effect on children of such material in the media? How will the government remove such material from advertising? You could comment on these issues under ‘Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport’and ‘Public Health’. Foreign policy The promotion of homosexual rights overseas (see ‘Equalities’ section, final bullet point) is an inappropriate use of public funds and an unwelcome interference in other countries’ internal affairs. Will the government reverse this policy? How will the government ensure the same protection from persecution for Christians overseas, as people of other faiths enjoy in this country? You could comment on these issues under ‘Foreign Affairs’, ‘Equalities’ and‘Civil Liberties’. Islam Islamic finance is inseparable from Shari’ah Law. Will the government conduct an in-depth study of the history, principles, aims and objectives of Shari’ah Law before committing the UK to any further involvement with it and Islamic finance? You could comment on this issue under ‘Banking’ and ‘Communities and Local Government’. These are just some of the issues—there will be many other topics on which you could comment and provide biblically-informed feedback. Thank you for your continued partnership in contending for the cause of Christ in our nation! Andrea Minichiello Williams Christian Concern for our Nation http://www.ccfon.org