CHOICES AND POLITICS

It`s unlikely that more than perhaps  a few fanatics would argue that Christianity in England is anything other than a religion.  Of course that observation would be ridiculed if it were applied to Ireland north and the republic of, Germany where the Christian Democratic Union of Germany has become the largest party after the weekend`s general election.  I suppose  The European Christian Political Movement is a European political party exclusively working on promoting Christian values and of course evangelical Christians are a major source of support for both Democrats and Republicans in America. The 2021 United Kingdom census recorded an irreligious population of 25.3 million or 37.8% in England. But rarely a month goes by without a report of some woke tribunal, organisation or employer becoming newsworthy by virtue of its decisions on whether certain actions inspired by religious belief are lawful or not. 

The case of Kristie Higgs, a Christian school worker who was sacked for sharing posts criticising LGBT+ teaching, reached its finale earlier this month.  Anti abortion campaigners are  treading a thin line.  One such stalwart having been twice arrested for praying silently near an abortion clinic  has successfully sued police for wrongful arrest.  Although apparently inspired by their religious beliefs those cases were not political in the common sense understanding of that word:  connected with the state, government or public affairs although there is an argument that every action of a government  connects the individual to the state. 

However since October 7th 2023 many bets are off or [to use betting companies` terms] have been politically  laid off when the political affiliations of workers combined with religious fervour directly intimidate customers, fellow workers or the public in general.  The wearing of badges supporting those in Gaza and blatantly the ruling terrorist organisation which is in power and/or wearing similar such indications whether in the workplace or on the streets during supposed political demonstrations has crystallised  the legal nomansland  where religious freedom and real manifestations of hate crime collide; not the hotch potch of police defined "non hate crime".  The Guardian which is probably the most woke mass media publication in the country has a long report on such a case here. 

Section 5 of the Public Order Act 1986 makes it an offense to cause harassment, alarm, or distress by using threatening, abusive, or insulting words or behavior. It can also include displaying threatening, abusive, or insulting writing or signs. 

Penalties 

The maximum penalty for summary conviction is six months in prison, an unlimited fine, or both

Racially or religiously aggravated Section 5 is a non-imprisonable offense with a maximum penalty of a level 4 fine

Defenses 

A defense may be available if the accused can show that they had no reason to believe that someone would be harassed, alarmed, or distressed 

Reform 

In 2013, the government agreed to reform Section 5 to protect free speech. The Christian Institute led a campaign to remove the word "insulting" from the act

Public Order Offences incorporating the Charging Standard

8 Aug 2022 — The maximum penalty on summary conviction is six months' imprisonment or an unlimited fine or both. 

Last month in a little reported case at the High Court  an appeal by a Christian preacher against his conviction  under that very  Section 5 of the Public Order Act 1986 for causing “harassment, alarm and distress" was refused.

I can remember when most law abiding folk would find few matters supported by Liberty {founded in 1934} to be against their own consciences or a natural view of what is right and what is wrong.  All that has changed. The first protests against Israel soon after October 7th [New York] and London October 8th have shown what thin line the authorities are on when religion opposes politics and vice versa. The Met Police have revealed that the first request for a national demonstration against Israel came on October 7 2023 at 12:50pm – just hours after the Hamas attack began and before any retaliation by IDF.  There is a strong body of opinion that there has developed in this country "two tier" policing brought about by a perceived difference between dealing with Muslim suspected criminality and the rest the former being treated with kid gloves for fear of religious sensitivity and historical revelations of child abuse tolerated or ignored when Muslims are involved. As a result Muslim organisations, many based on the ethos of the Muslim Brotherhood [banned in Egypt, Jordan and other Muslim countries], are lobbying for a blasphemy law to prevent not just criticism of Islamic practices but of Muslims per se.  This has met with some sympathy in Whitehall.  

Government and its servants could be described as trying  to ride two horses at once. Dr Doolittle perhaps had it more accurately in the description of the pushmepullme.  Indeed currently the Ministry of Justice has recently endorsed the increase of magistrates` courts powers from six months immediate custody to twelve whilst simultaneously a government commissioned independent review concluded that short custodial sentences be abolished.  

Government is about choices and politics is about how best to make those choices.  In so many ways our current masters are swimming in a sea of treacle trying to make headway eyes closed guided by the loudest voices trying to assist them.