Churches and Christian charities in Northern Ireland are taking the UK Government to court, arguing that new laws on homosexuality threaten their religious freedom.The Christian Institute, a nondenominational Christian charity, took the case to the High Court in Belfast in Monday to argue that Northern Ireland's Sexual Orientation Regulations restrict religious liberty.
The laws, which came into force in Northern Ireland last January, requires religious adoption agencies to treat homosexual couples as prospective adoptive couples, on a par with traditional married couples.
If the challenge is successful, the regulations could be declared unlawful.
There could also be implications for similar regulations which apply to Great Britain.
Colin Hart, Director of The Christian Institute, said that he believed that the regulations “discriminate against Christians on the basis of their religious beliefs on sexual ethics. The new law, he continued, was introduced “under direct-rule powers by Peter Hain without proper consultation.”
The legal action has been taken together with a number of evangelical church denominations in the province who argue that the regulations contravene the Human Rights Act which protects religious freedom.
The Roman Catholic bishops, who have similar concerns, have also obtained permission from the court to submit evidence and make submissions in support of The Christian Institute challenge.
The Christian Institute is arguing that a church leader who holds to the Bible's teaching and refuses church membership to a practising homosexual could face a harassment action from a gay rights group.
Furthermore, they contend that a Christian residential care home could be sued for not providing a double room to a homosexual couple who have a publicly-funded place.
A Christian wedding photographer could be penalised for refusing to photograph a civil partnership ceremony.
“Those involved in the legal action are amongst those who will be directly affected”, Mr Hart added.
The case had the support of both sides of the religious community in Northern Ireland, he went on.
"People are particularly concerned about the regulations' impact on schools. We hope our legal action will be successful and that these regulations will be declared unlawful."
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