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Terrorism

Church welcomes government climb-down

The United Reformed Church has welcomed a decision by the government to drop provisions from proposed anti-terror laws which would have allowed the police to close churches and other places of worship if ‘extremist behaviour’ was felt to be taking place on the premises.

In a previous submission on the proposal the Church had described it as a ‘disproportionate response’ to a problem which had arisen in one mosque. It had also questioned whether the proposals were workable, since they provided for the prosecution of the controlling authorities of a place of worship which, in the case of local United Reformed Churches, would mean the entire membership.

Welcoming the climb-down, Church and Society Secretary, Stuart Dew, said: ‘The closure of a church or mosque would have undermined the opportunity for worship by believers who had not engaged in any incitement, and who may be voices for moderation. People who attend United Reformed Churches, and most Christian churches, are likely to be among those most active in working for peace and harmony within local communities, and church premises are an important resource for community-building.’

The URC is particularly sensitive to any suggestion that freedom to worship might be curtailed, and places of worship closed, because of the history of persecution of its predecessor denominations – Congregationalists and Presbyterians – during the 17th century, when the state also sought to control what could be preached, and where it could be preached.

Read the full submission made by The United Reformed Church.