Christians are being subjected to loss of employment and livelihood, baseless criminal investigations, the closing of bank accounts, humiliation, bullying and even physical attack, according to the interim report of the Commission of Inquiry into Discrimination Against Christians (CIDAC).
Based on seventeen interviews, the interim report, in addition to providing “a mine of information”, reveals both the triggers of anti-Christian discrimination and the mechanisms through which it is carried out, the latter of which often appears to involve at some level the most powerful and influential UK-based LGBT rights group, says CIDAC.
The reports states: “There appears some evidence of a ‘search and destroy’ organisational approach by interest groups in education, business, banking, the health service and even within government departments. Where this type of attack is experienced, there is very often an established link between the body in question and organisations such as Stonewall.”
“Any counter to LGBT ideology appears to be a trigger,” CIDAC notes. “Pro-life activity will also occasion attack.”
When it comes to the mechanism, the commission concludes: “All too often Stonewall appears to be directly or indirectly involved.”
It adds: “The apparent role of Stonewall behind the scenes should not blind us to other lines of attack. Behind the scenes there appear to be highly organised activists who make it their mission to mount vexatious claims.”
Among the examples cited in the report, is the case of Maureen Martin, who was dismissed from her job with L& Q Housing Association – a “Stonewall Diversity champion” – based on spurious claims (the Stonewall Diversity Champions Programme is aimed at businesses, with a stated aim of driving “commercial success” alongside making “LGBTQ+ people feel safe and encouraged in the workplace”).
The Royal Academy of Dance was “keen to reflect its Stonewall credentials” when it dismissed Calvin Robinson from his voluntary position on the Education sub-committee, CIDAC says.
It notes that the training event which led to Ben Dybowski losing his job “had been led by a speaker with links to Stonewall”.
Dr Aaron Edwards lost his job after a twitter mob turned on him. Similarly, Keith Waters was subject to a disciplinary investigation when LGBT activists were upset by one of his tweets, CIDAC claims.
“These are just some of the cases where we see attacks on Christians either by pro-abortion or LGBTQ activists, or else by Stonewall,” CIDAC says.
It notes that perpetration of discrimination goes beyond Stonewall to even higher levels of organisations. It cites the case of Jeff and Sue Green, who after wishing to host only married couples in the double rooms at their guest house, had to face the wrath of the European Human Rights Commission (EHRC), an organisation “which should be neutral”, CIDAC says.
At the same time, small groups can also be highly effective at targeting Christians, CIDAC warns.
It says that is was the “response of local residents” to Maureen Martin’s promotion of traditional marriage, which led to her losing her job. When Isabel Vaughan-Spruce prayed silently outside a closed abortion facility, it appears that it was a local group of pro-abortion activists who repeatedly got the police involved, CIDAC says.
“What clearly emerges from these witness testimonies, is an ever-expanding realm of punishable activities,” CIDAC says. “Flippant remarks made in the privacy of a small circle of friends, silent prayer, questions asked in alleged safe spaces, and tweets are all activities which can render Christians vulnerable to attack.
“These concerning examples suggest an orchestrated opposition fuelled by intolerance towards Christians.”
The commission highlights that the “main weapon” for complainants is “spurious claims of victimhood buttressed by misuse of the Equality Act and various Diversity Equality and Inclusion initiatives”.
It adds that while Christians do have protections, the reality is these are not being “taken seriously” enough to prove effective.
The problem is worsened by the fact that “would-be witnesses, who might otherwise have come forward to give evidence of discrimination, have chosen not to, because, as they explained to our Commission, they are anxious about the negative online fallout and fear losing their jobs”.
CIDAC concludes that this increase in persecution against Christians “exposes an attack on the fundamental freedoms and core human rights of freedom of speech and freedom of religion” that effect everyone.
“While Christians may be most conspicuously in the firing line, ultimately this loss of our freedoms affects us all,” CIDAC says.
CIDAC was tasked with investigating the nature, context and scale of discrimination faced by Christians in the UK by Voice for Justice UK, a Christian activist organisation focused on freedom of speech, religion and conscience.
Stonewall, which has grown to have an international reach, including in the US, has been linked to and heavily criticised for pushing gender ideology, especially in regard to the recent scandal in the UK around the Tavistock Gender Identity Development Service (GIDS) and “gender realignment” surgery for children.
The Stonewall organisation was founded in 1989 by “a small group of people” in response to Section 28 of the Local Government Act, which regulated teaching around sexuality in schools. The organisation has garnered significant praise from many in society for the campaigning it has done over the decades in breaking down prejudices and discrimination against homosexual individuals.
Lately, though, even among some of its supporters the organisation has faced increasing criticism that as it expanded to become increasingly involved in the trans movement, it started to lose its way and stray from its original purpose and mission.