Christian Concern
Formation | 2004 (as part of Lawyers' Christian Fellowship) |
---|---|
Type | Conservative Evangelical advocacy group |
Headquarters | 70 Wimpole Street, London |
Region | United Kingdom |
Chief Executive | Andrea Minichiello Williams |
Website | www |
Formerly called | Christian Concern For Our Nation |
Christian Concern is the trading name of CCFON Ltd,
History
The organisation was co-founded
The organisation separated from the LCF in June 2008, with Williams stating that this was to avoid jeopardising the charitable status of the LCF,[11] as political activity from a charity, when it's a stated purpose of that charity, is illegal under UK law.[13] CCFON Ltd was incorporated as an independent body on 24 June 2008.[14] In October 2010, CCFON Ltd shortened its operating name to Christian Concern.[15]
Williams is currently CEO of Christian Concern and also acts as the founder and operating director of Christian Legal Centre, a sister organisation that describes itself as serving to "defend Christians in the public sphere and to protect the freedom of Christians to live their lives in accordance with their Christian beliefs".[16] Sam Solomon acts as a consultant for Christian Concern, advising on Islamic affairs.[17] Solomon wrote A Proposed Charter of Muslim Understanding[18] for UKIP MEP Gerard Batten, who wrote the foreword to the charter. A link to the charter has featured on the website since at least 2009.[19]
The organisation is currently based in the City of Westminster.
Ideology and issues
The organisation is known for its views on and opposition to trends of liberalisation within Christianity in the United Kingdom, and trends of liberalisation within wider society. It views society as having "largely turned [its] back on Jesus", leading to the growth of ideas such as "secular
The organisation also takes opposition to liberalising trends in specific denominations, such as the
Notable campaigns
In 2005 and early 2006, the group campaigned, alongside other Christian organisations, to stop the passing of the
In 2006 and 2007, the organisation opposed segments of the Equality Act
In 2007, the organisation
The organisation launched its 'Not Ashamed' campaign in December 2010, aimed at encouraging Christians to live out their faith in public, drawing attention to instances where Christians believed themselves to have been marginalised at work or in public life. The campaign was backed by George Carey, and secured wide media coverage on its official launch in December 2010. Another Christian think tank, Ekklesia, said that there was "no evidence" of systematic discrimination as the organisation claimed.[31]
In 2021, Christian Concern and the Christian Legal Centre supported Seyi Omooba in her legal case against the Curve Theatre in Leicester and her former agency (Global Artists), where she alleged religious discrimination, harassment and breach of contract.[32] The case was dismissed. Briefly, Omooba accepted the part of Celie in the Curve’s production of The Colour Purple, a part that includes portrayal of a lesbian relationship in the original book and dramatisations of it. Problems arose when homophobic posts by Omooba from 2014 threatened boycott of the production. Many inconsistencies in Omooba’s case[33] include that she was unaware that the directors expected Celie to be played as a lesbian, despite that being a central element of the narrative and that Omooba had appeared in the 2017 Cadogan Hall British Theatre Academy production of The Colour Purple[34] (not as Celie, but as Nettie - a part for which she received high praise). Further to this, she had read the script before accepting the part. In February 2021, when the case was dismissed, with costs awarded to the Curve Theatre, Seyi Omooba was said to be considering an appeal against the judgement.[35]
2008 Channel 4 documentary
The
it's not about the oppression of the homosexual community but the evidence shows that children raised in those households are more likely to be gender confused, more likely to be drug dependent, more likely to not finish school.[37]
Modell concluded that Williams was "a colourful and powerful campaigner for the implementation of radical Christian views" and that she "believes any law that goes against her strict biblical beliefs must be fought".[39][40] The programme includes footage of Wililams stating that the Human Fertilisation Bill was "the work of the devil", that homosexuality is sinful, that abortion should be illegal, and that the world is just 4,000 years old.[39][40]
Working relationship with Nadine Dorries
Christian Concern's director Andrea Williams has a closely working relationship with British conservative politician Nadine Dorries.[37][41] Williams was a team member of Dorries' campaign to reduce the upper limit on abortion to 20 weeks - a campaign that was partly funded by Christian Concern.[41] Wiliams who wrote the anti-abortion amendments for Dorries.[37] In the Channel 4 Dispatches documentary, "In God's Name", Dorries was asked how closely she worked with Williams and replied, ""Closely? We've been stuck to the hip. Very closely."[37] In reference to her campaign, Dorries also said:
What goes on in here would have no structure whatsover, no sense of achievement if it wasn't for people like Andrea on the outside. You know, the Lawyers Christian Fellowhsip, the Medical Christian Fellowship on this particular issue are absolutely vital because they give us the information[37]
In the same documentary, Dorries claimed she had not discussed Williams' views on Islam. Williams, who was sat next to her, proceeded to say "I believe that Islam is a false religion" and switched off her microphone.[37]
Reaction to Living in Love and Faith
Ben John of Christian Concern in his response to Living in Love and Faith, part of a number of resources encouraging more LGBT inclusion within the
In response, Clare-Young asked John to re-edit his video and remove personal attacks, saying that the comments "were leading to personal harm to myself, my wife, and the others in the video. ... It describes me and my wife as being in a same-sex marriage, which isn't true."[42] In response, Andrea Williams denied the comments were hateful, and said they upheld a "Biblical understanding of sex and gender."[42] The police are currently[when?] investigating the comments as a potential hate crime.[42]
See also
References
- ^ "CCFON LIMITED". Companies House.
- ^ CCFON Limited Filing History, 'Total exemption full accounts made up to 30 June 2019', '6 Going Concern - The financial statements have been prepared on the going concern basis on the directors assumption that this not for profit company will continue to meet its obligations as they fall due.' Companies House, Retrieved 29 July 2020
- ^ Andrea Williams: The unstoppable founder of Christian Concern, Premier Christianity. Retrieved 29 July 2020
- ^ ‘We are not the mouthpiece of any organisation. The Gospel is not right or left wing’, The Times. Retrieved 15 October 2022
- ^ Christian parent threatens legal action over school's 'gay pride parade' The Guardian. 20 November 2018. Retrieved 20 November 2018
- ^ About Us, Christian Concern. Retrieved 30 January 2012.
- ^ "Christian Concern - People". Christian Concern. Internet Archive. Archived from the original on 12 November 2010. Retrieved 22 May 2016.
Andrea Minichiello Williams - Co-Founder, Chief Executive Officer
- ^ Christian Concern Press release dated 16 July 2009. Retrieved on 15 February 2012.
- ^ Jenkins, P. (2007), God's continent: Christianity, Islam, and Europe's religious crisis, Oxford University Press, (p.278).
- ^ Jennifer Gold (20 February 2007). "Lord Carey Makes Prayer Plea as General Synod Prepares for Gay Debate". Christian Today. Retrieved 3 February 2012.
- ^ a b "The Christians' Advocate: Interview with Andrea Minichiello Williams of CCFON". Evangelicals Now. April 2009. Retrieved 30 January 2012.
- ^ "Christian Concern for our Nation". Archived from the original on 4 October 2006. Retrieved 4 February 2012.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ^ Can a charity have a political purpose? Archived 31 January 2013 at the Wayback Machine Charity Commission. Retrieved 30 January 2012.
- ^ CCFON Ltd entry at companiesintheuk.co.uk. Retrieved 30 January 2012.
- ^ "Christian Concern - Our New Name and Website". us2.campaign-archive.com.
- ^ Christian Legal Centre. Retrieved 15 February 2012
- ^ "Christian Concern - People". Christian Concern. Internet Archive. Archived from the original on 12 November 2010. Retrieved 22 May 2016.
Sam Solomon - Islamic Affairs Consultant
- ^ Sam Solomon (4 February 2014). "Proposed code of conduct for British Muslims commissioned by Ukip MEP Gerard Batten". The Guardian. Retrieved 22 May 2016.
- ^ "Imam blames Christian Leaders for the Persecutions of Christians". Christian Concern. Internet Archive. Archived from the original on 22 May 2014. Retrieved 22 May 2016.
Can he not ask prominent Muslim leaders to sign up to basic freedoms in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, or the Proposed Charter of Muslim Understanding?
- ^ "About Christian Concern". ChristianConcern.com. Archived from the original on 29 March 2012. Retrieved 26 November 2020.
...in the last few decades the nation has largely turned her back on Jesus and embraced alternative ideas such as secular liberal humanism, moral relativism and sexual licence. The fruit of this is rotten, and can be seen in widespread family breakdown, immorality and social disintegration. ... We want to be a strong Christian voice in the public sphere, arguing passionately for the truth of the Gospel and defending the historic freedoms that we have enjoyed in this nation for so long. We believe that by doing so, society as a whole will benefit. We seek to highlight injustice, change public opinion on issues of key importance and affect policy at the highest levels. We engage on a broad large range of issues, including abortion, adoption and fostering, bioethics, marriage, education, employment, end of life, equality, family, free speech, Islamism, religious freedom, the sex trade, social issues and issues relating to sexual orientation.
- ^ "Church of England in formal support for civil partnerships". Christian Concern. Retrieved 24 July 2018.
- ^ "CofE Campaigns to retain civil partnerships". Christian Concern. Retrieved 24 July 2018.
- ^ "CofE bishop reveals he is in a homosexual relationship". Christian Concern. Retrieved 24 July 2018.
- ^ "The transgender issue is a first-order gospel issue". Christian Concern. 26 January 2018. Retrieved 24 July 2018.
- ^ Religious Hatred Bill victory, Christian Concern, 31 January 2006
- ^ "Church groups to march against sexuality law". The Guardian. 9 January 2007.
- ^ Byers, David (9 January 2007). "Gay rights laws draw religious protest". The Times. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
A total of 10,000 people have already signed a petition to the Queen organised by Christian Concern for Our Nation, part of the Lawyers' Christian Fellowship, which complains that the new law would have the consequence of "discriminating heavily" against Christians of all backgrounds and denominations.
(subscription required) - ^ "Scientists in hybrid embryos plea". 24 April 2018 – via news.bbc.co.uk.
- ^ "'Chastity ring' girl loses case". 16 July 2007 – via news.bbc.co.uk.
- ^ Ruth Gledhill, Gay row foster parents win right not to 'promote' homosexuality, 1 November 2007, The Times
- ^ Christians launch defence of faith 'under attack, BBC News, 1 December 2010
- TheGuardian.com. 8 February 2021.
- ^ Is Seyi Omooba Lying?. YouTube. Archived from the original on 11 December 2021.
- ^ "REVIEW: THE COLOR PURPLE (Cadogan Hall) ★★★★★". 22 May 2017.
- TheGuardian.com. 17 February 2021.
- ^ The Right Hand of God, Sunny Hundal, New Statesman, 24 April 2010.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Dispatches: In God's Name, retrieved 5 September 2022
- ^ Writer, PinkNews Staff (2 March 2007). "Magistrate not allowed to refuse gay adoption cases". PinkNews. Retrieved 5 September 2022.
- ^ a b David Modell (19 May 2008). "Dispatches: Making a giant leap of faith". The Independent. Retrieved 30 January 2012.
- ^ a b David Modell (17 May 2008). "Christian fundamentalists fighting spiritual battle in Parliament". Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 30 January 2012.
- ^ a b "Fundamentally flawed". The Guardian. 21 May 2008. Retrieved 5 September 2022.
- ^ a b c d e Ames, Jonathan; Bannerman, Lucy (30 November 2020). "Police investigate alleged hate against trans clergy". The Times. Retrieved 30 November 2020. (subscription required)