THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH: Hundreds of thousands of Christian young people will be put off becoming teachers, doctors, nurses or other public servants once gay marriage becomes law, a coalition of church leaders claims.
They are calling on MPs to make urgent amendments to the Government’s same-sex marriage bill, which will be debated on Monday, to protect Christians and others with traditional views from being punished in the workplace for their beliefs.
Otherwise, it could have a “chilling effect” on young people’s career choices, deterring many from going into public service or charities in case they are branded homophobic for speaking about their beliefs, they fear.
The call comes in a letter to The Daily Telegraph signed by an informal grouping of Christian leaders ranging from the second most senior Roman Catholic cleric in England and Wales to Anglican vicars and independent evangelical pastors.
It follows an unprecedented letter from more than 500 imams accusing the Government of attacking “the cornerstone of family life”.
And it comes amid mounting anger from grassroots Conservatives, which threatens to split the party.
Young people, will be forced to “choose between their conscience and their career”, the church leaders write.
Unless it is amended, the bill will “cause pain for many, without tackling prejudice against the few”, they add. » | John Bingham, Religious Affairs Editor | Sunday, May 19, 2013
THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH: More than 500 imams in landmark gay marriage protest: More than 500 imams have joined forces to protest against David Cameron’s plans for gay marriage in an unprecedented intervention from the British Muslim community. » | John Bingham, Religious affairs Editor | Sunday, May 19, 2013
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Muslim leaders stand against gay marriage: British imams and Muslim leaders speak out against the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill » | Saturday, May 18, 2013
