Paul KeenanThere have been calls for a change to “oppressive” equality legislation in Northern Ireland in the wake of the failed Ashers Bakery appeal.
Following a decision by the Appeals Court in Belfast to uphold a discrimination finding against the McArthur family in refusing to decorate a cake in support of same-sex marriage, the Christian Institute, which backed the family throughout the case said the ruling demonstrated that a legal change is needed to protect freedom of conscience.
Discrimination
“Equality laws are there to protect people from discrimination, not to force people to associate themselves with a cause they oppose,” the Institute said in a statement.
“Those same laws have become a weapon in the hands of those who want to oppress anyone who dissents from the politically-correct norms of the moment.
“The law needs to change before more damage is done.”
The implications of the case for people of religious belief were echoed by political and religious leaders in Northern Ireland and beyond.
Jim Allister, leader of the Traditional Unionist Voice said the ruling was “an assault on freedom of conscience and as such it should worry Christians and non-Christians alike.”
Leading British gay campaigner Peter Tatchell, who previously spoke out to back the McArthur family’s right to religious conscience described the verdict as “a defeat for freedom of expression. As well as meaning that Ashers can be legally forced to aid the promotion of same-sex marriage, it also implies that gay bakers could be forced by law to decorate cakes with homophobic slogans.”
Support
Meanwhile, Jim Wells, Democratic Unionist Party MLA said: “The Christian Institute has provided financial support for the Ashers cases. We must all now donate money for further appeals.
“The Ashers case must now be referred to the Supreme Court, and if that fails to the European Court of Human Rights.”