Christian Concern

Not to be confused with 'Christian Concern Crewe', who also operate under the name 'Christian Concern'.^[1]

Formation	2004 (as part of LCF)
Type	Christian lobby group
Headquarters	70 Wimpole Street, London, United Kingdom
CEO	Andrea Minichiello Williams
Website	christianconcern.com

Christian Concern is the trading name of CCFON Ltd,^[2] a Christian organisation in the United Kingdom which seeks to introduce a 'Christian voice' into law, the media and Government.^[3] It was formerly part of the Lawyers' Christian Fellowship.

History

The organisation was founded in 2004, initially as part of The Lawyers' Christian Fellowship's Public Policy Unit, to lobby Parliament where it was felt that Christians may be adversely affected by, or may have ethical concerns about, proposed legislation.

It was incorporated as an independent body, CCFON Ltd (Christian Concern For Our Nation), on 24 June 2008,^[4] after the Channel 4 documentary In God's Name, and was headed by Andrea Minichiello Williams, who left the leadership team of the LCF. She was accompanied by Mark Mullins, who retired from the LCF National Council to provide her with support.^[5] In October 2010, Christian Concern For Our Nation shortened its operating name to Christian Concern.^[6]

Structure

Christian Concern was established as a not-for-profit limited company, CCFON Ltd. It does not possess charitable status because it lobbies politically.^[7] Williams is also a director of the Christian Legal Centre Ltd (CLC). Although this is a separate legal entity, a number of employees, contractors and volunteers who work for CCFON Ltd also work for CLC, sharing office space and other resources.

Notable campaigns

In 2005 and early 2006, the group campaigned alongside other Christian bodies to stop the Religious Hatred Bill. Although they failed to prevent the bill becoming law, it was passed only after amendments in the House of Lords. Christian Concern claimed this as a victory^[8] stating that, whilst they "would still prefer that the law was removed from the statute books", the bill, in its amended form, "allays almost all the fears which we have talked about over the past months".

In 2006 and 2007 they opposed segments of the Sexual Orientation Regulations, organising a rally outside Parliament^[9] and a petition which gained over 10,000 signatures, on the grounds that the new law would "discriminate heavily" against Christians.^[10] From autumn 2007 they highlighted concerns over some clauses in the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill, organising a demonstration outside Parliament in January 2008.^[11] Both Bills subsequently passed reading in the House of Commons without amendment.

In 2007, they supported Lydia Playfoot, a schoolgirl who had been instructed to remove a sexual abstinence ring in school because it contravened her school's uniform policy. Miss Playfoot took her case to the High Court of Justice alleging her rights human had been violated under the European Convention on Human Rights, but the High Court found against her, awarding her school £12,000 costs.^[12]

Also in 2007, they supported foster parents who had refused to sign a new contract drawn up to implement the Sexual Orientation Regulations.^[13]

In 2010, Christian Concern promoted a campaign entitled "Not Ashamed", 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. However, another Christian think tank, Ekklesia, said that there was "no evidence" of systematic discrimination.^[14]

Controversy

The Channel 4 documentary In God's Name, which aired on 19 May 2008, examined the growing influence of Christian evangelical movements in the UK and was critical of the group (then part of LCF), presenting it as part of a Christian fundamentalist network.

In particular, the programme highlighted the involvement of the LCF in lobbying the British Government on issues such as abortion, gay rights and the enforcing of laws relating to blasphemy. Investigative journalist David Modell followed the activities of Andrea Minichiello Williams, and included footage of her meetings with Conservative politicians Norman Tebbit and Nadine Dorries, both of whom have worked with the LCF to influence policy on matters where they had a common agenda.^[15]

In the programme Williams expressed a number of views on camera, stating that she believes that the earth is only 4000 years old, that Islam is a false religion, and that children raised in same sex families will not finish school, will become drug dependent and grow up to be gender confused.^{[16][Need quotation to verify]}

Barrister, Mark Mullins, who left LCF with Williams, and who is listed on the CCFON website as a 'Public Policy Adviser',^[17] was reprimanded by the Bar Council in July 2006, after he refused to represent a gay client.^[18]

See also

• The Lawyers' Christian Fellowship
• Christian Legal Centre
• Christian Institute
• Christian Voice (UK)

References

1. ^ www.christianconcerncrewe.org home page
2. ^ www.notashamed.org.uk (bottom line)
3. ^ Christian Concern website, About Us page
4. ^ www.companiesintheuk.co.uk
5. ^ "Announcement about the future of the LCF Public Policy Work" (Press release). LCF. 18/Jun/2008. http://www.lawcf.org/index.asp?page=Announcement+about+the+future+of+the+LCF+Public+Policy+Work. Retrieved March 2010. 
6. ^ Christian Concern website, change of name
7. ^ "D3. Can a charity have a political purpose?". Charity Commission. http://www.charity-commission.gov.uk/publications/cc9.aspx#13. Retrieved March 2010. 
8. ^ Religious Hatred Bill victory, Christian Concern, 31 January 2006
9. ^ Church groups to march against sexuality law, 9 January 2007, The Guardian
10. ^ Gay rights laws draw religious protest, 9 January 2007, The Times
11. ^ Scientists in hybrid embryos plea, 15 January 2008, BBC News
12. ^ 'Chastity ring' girl loses case, 16 July 2007, BBC News
13. ^ Ruth Gledhill, Gay row foster parents win right not to 'promote' homosexuality, 1 November 2007, The Times
14. ^ Christians launch defence of faith 'under attack, BBC News, 1 December 2010
15. ^ David Modell, Christian fundamentalists fighting spiritual battle in Parliament Daily Telegraph, May 18 2008
16. ^ In God's Name Dispatches program page on the Channel 4 website
17. ^ CCFON website
18. ^ Daily Mail, 26 July, 2006

External links

• Christian Concern (official website)
• Lawyers Christian Fellowship
• Christian Legal Centre