Christian Group seeks gay conscience clause

By James Phillips • September 18, 2006 - 0:00

The Christian Democrats however are seeking an exemption that would allow religious people to withhold goods and services on the basis of sexual orientation

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The Christian Peoples Alliance (CPA) party has called on the Government to include a 'conscience clause' in the new Sexual Orientation Regulations going before Parliament next month.

The Government's new regulations are intended to ensure that the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community are not discriminated against in the provision of goods, facilities and services.

The Christian Democrats however are seeking an exemption that would allow religious people to withhold goods and services on the basis of sexual orientation.

The CPA are concerned that the Government is not listening to the voices of people of different faiths who all have deeply held beliefs, Ekklesia news agency reports.

The CPA argue that the Sexual Orientation Regulations will force them to break the law if they are required to provide services, such as letting out rooms, or halls to those whose practices run contrary to their beliefs.

The president of the CPA was quoted as saying "Christian Democrats condemn hatred when it is expressed through unreasoned and irrational homophobia. But suppliers of goods and services must be allowed to provide these services in such a way that does not violate individual and corporate conscience."

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