UK Christians Concerned About Religious Freedom

LEEDS, England - In the United Kingdom, Christians feel their freedoms are being eroded bit by bit and the government's reaction to a Muslim girl's conversion to Christianity is one example.

The British government revoked the registration of a Christian foster parent after a 16-year-old Muslim girl converted to Christianity while in her care.

None of the parties in the case can be named to protect the girl despite her no longer being a minor.

The Muslim girl, in her late teens, was interested in exploring Christianity before she was placed in foster care. The foster parent says she did not encourage the girl to change her faith and even offered to take her to places where she could practice Islam.

However, the girl insisted on exploring the Christian faith and eventually decided to be baptized. When the girl decided she wanted to be baptized in a church, government officials said the foster parent failed in her duty to preserve the girl's religion and should have used her influence to prevent the baptism from going ahead.

The Mike Judge of the Christian Institute says he can't understand the government's objection to allowing the girl to choose to change her faith.

Judge says this case highlights the sort of double standard that Christians are facing in modern Britain. The foster parent's lawyer Nigel Priestly says there is no evidence that the girl has suffered harm for changing her religion. He argues that the authorities failed to listen to the girl's views.

Priestley says the event that provoked the government was the decision by the girl to be baptized. He believes the government's action is completely disproportionate.

In a statement a government spokesman said, "From the details provided, we believe that this information relates to a child who is the subject of a final care order in favour of the council. In those circumstances, we are unable to pass any comment."

"We would never be able to comment on sensitive issues surrounding a child in care," he added. "To do so would be irresponsible and in this particular case may put the child at risk of harm."

A court has ruled that the foster parent can appeal the decision. The case is set to be heard at Leeds High Court in the North of England on April 27.

Christians hope not only that she'll win her case, but that the case will reinforce the right of people to freely change their faith without legal consequences.

I had to include this next article. Mary and I attended a Bible study at the home of Pam and Gary Leavenworth. They were wonderful hosts and we had a diverse and warm group. If we had such a ban in Naperville, I might never have had a chance for great fellowship and new insights of the Bible that happens when you share points of view with others.

Notice that no neighbors complained so it doesn’t take much for attacks on a chance for socializing and faith sharing. To say that it couldn’t happen to you is to live with blinders. I will pray for the town of Gilbert and the Oasis of Truth Church.

Ariz. Town Bans Church from In-Home Meetings

Members of a small Arizona church are fighting to continue holding Bible studies in their homes after a city ordinance banned them from doing so.

Officials in the town of Gilbert, Ariz., shut down the Oasis of Truth Church meetings after a code worker spotted signs in the neighborhood inviting people to worship.

Only seven people attend the services and no neighbors have complained, but officials said the Bible studies and other events violate Gilbert's Land Development Code. A letter to the church said the ban even applies to potluck dinners.

"Under this code, if you meet once in your house with two people and it's a religious assembly that's a violation of the code," said Alliance Defense Fund senior counsel David Napier.

The Christian legal group filed an appeal on behalf of the church. ADF lawyers say the code is vague and violates religious freedom.

Oasis of Truth Church was launched in 2009 with a congregation of seven adult members and four children. Members began meeting at Pastor Joe Sutherland's home and then rotated houses three times a week for services. Attendance never exceeded more than 10 adults and the driveway usually accomodates all but one of their cars.

"We hope that the city of Gilbert will recognize that this is simply a bad law on the books, and they take it and repeal it or rewrite it or do something to protect people's rights in their own home to practice their own faith," Napier added.

The code has existed since 2005, but city leaders admit it needs adjusting. Issues will go before the town council March 23.

"Gilbert's Vice Mayor [Linda Abbott] says she believes it will repeal the code," Napier said. Church members are currently holding Sunday services at a local school, but because of the cost of renting the space the meetings are now limited to once a week.