The Commission has held a total of 17 hearings between October 2023 and July 2024. Interviewees representing a wide spectrum of Christian beliefs, have been asked to give accounts of intolerance and disadvantage for publicly speaking about their faith. Reported incidents include loss of employment, criminal investigations, bank account closures, bullying and physical attacks.

Based on the acquired data, the biggest triggers are traditional views on marriage, sexuality and abortion. The report showcases episodes of anti-Christian attacks of the “woke” and LGBTQ+ agenda, including theology lecturer Aaron Edwards, who was sacked from Cliff College for tweeting about sexuality. 

The report states: ” It is the tip of a very large iceberg – of Christians self-reportedly feeling marginalised in what they regard as an increasingly hostile and discriminatory environment. … There appears some evidence of a ‘search and destroy’ organisational approach by interest groups in education, business, banking, the health service, and even within government departments. Christians are singled out for attack – perhaps because they are easy ‘targets’, who usually won’t fight back, while other faiths appear to be shown greater tolerance. Despite the fact religion is included in the list of protected characteristics in the Equality Act 2010 – of equal standing with the 8 other protected characteristics of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, sex, and sexual orientation – in the cases the Inquiry has so far heard there appears clear evidence that the freedom to practice and manifest Christian belief is being progressively reduced; and even, on occasion, deliberately ignored. This would seem to be a result of activist groups, dedicated to the promotion and imposition of their favoured aims, deliberately targeting those who express views that they interpret as ‘hostile’ to the achievement of their goals. The evidence given by our witnesses so far would also seem to indicate that, far from lessening over time, as LGBTQ+ values become progressively ‘normalised’ within society, hostility is intensifying. Flippant remarks made in the privacy of a small circle of friends, silent prayer, questions asked in alleged safe spaces, and tweets are all activities which can render Christians vulnerable to attack. These concerning examples suggest an orchestrated opposition fuelled by intolerance towards Christians. The main weapon of complainants is spurious claims of victimhood buttressed by misuse of the Equality Act and various Diversity Equality and Inclusion initiatives. And while Christians too have protections, the reality is these are not taken seriously. This early onset persecution against Christians exposes an attack on our fundamental freedoms and core human rights of freedom of speech and freedom of religion. While Christians may be most conspicuously in the firing line, ultimately this loss of our freedoms affects us all.”

Source: https://www.christiantoday.com/