MANCHESTER, June 27, 2005 (LifeSiteNews.com) – A UK bank asked an evangelical Christian group to close its account because of the group’s opposition to homosexuality.
The Co-operative Bank said the opinions of Christian Voice were “discriminatory” against homosexuals. “It has come to the bank’s attention that Christian Voice is engaged in discriminatory pronouncements based on the grounds of sexual orientation,” a bank spokesman said, as reported by the BBC. “This public stance is incompatible with the position of the Co-operative Bank, which publicly supports diversity and dignity in all its forms for our staff, customers and other stakeholders.”
In February, Christian Voice expressed its opposition to a planned nationwide tour of Jerry Springer – the Opera, describing the live production as “filthy and blasphemous.” The show included depictions of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, with a portrayal of Jesus as a “sexual deviant,” according to the group. Christian Voice organized a protest, attended by 400-500, of the BBC after the national public broadcaster decided to air the opera on television.
Stephen Green, national director for Christian Voice said, “The Co-op bank, for all its fine words, is discriminating against us on the grounds of conscience and religion.” The group is calling on the bank to treat them fairly by ordering all Christian, Muslim, and Jewish groups who oppose homosexuality to close their accounts.
Read related LifeSiteNews.com coverage of the Royal Bank refusal to allow a pro-family coalition to open a bank account based on its opposition to Canada’s “Gay Games”:
Pro-Family Group Denied an Account by Bank Files Human Rights Complaint
http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2002/aug/02080104.html
See related Telegraph report:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2005/01/10/nspring10.xml
See related Sunday Times coverage:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2087-1502901,00.html
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