BHA condemns Pope's attack on equality

Tuesday, 2 February 2010 12:00 AM

The British Humanist Association (BHA) has condemned the Pope's criticisms of the UK's equality laws.

Naomi Phillips, BHA Head of Public Affairs said, 'It comes as no surprise to hear yet more uninformed and homophobic remarks from the Pope and, yet again, he is wrong. Equality laws do not impose unjust restrictions on religious freedom. What the Pope, together with other religious leaders such as the Bishops sitting in our own Parliament are actually seeking, is for religious people to be allowed to discriminate against others in employment, services, education and many other areas, unfettered by the laws that everyone else in society must abide by and respect.'

'As well as a religious leader, the Pope is a head of state which has been responsible for opposing the distribution of condoms, promoting segregated education, denying abortion to even the most vulnerable women and opposing LGBT rights, including universal decriminalisation of homosexuality. This latest attack on modern, liberal values is yet another reason why we will be opposing the Pope's State visit to the UK later this year.'

The BHA has set up a Facebook group protesting against the Pope's State visit http://www.facebook.com/group.php?v=wall&gid=140603339279.

Notes

For further comment or information, contact Naomi Phillips at naomi@humanism.org.uk, 07540 257101, 020 7079 3585.

The British Humanist Association represents and supports the non-religious. It is the largest organisation in the UK campaigning for an end to religious privilege and to discrimination based on religion or belief, and for a secular state.

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