Christian negotiation of non-heterosexual rights in the UK: Challenges and dilemmas

In recent years the United Kingdom, much like other western democracies, has seen the proliferation of non-heterosexual rights. Many faith communities are now challenged by legislative enactments that advance the equality and citizenship of non-heterosexual people and prohibit discrimination in various economic and social spheres. This paper will explore attitudes and views of Christian churches and organizations generally to non-heterosexual rights and legislative advances more specifically. The paper will show that there are a variety of responses. Conservative churches have come out strongly against such developments on moral grounds and advance freedom of speech to advance their vehement views. Most of the mainstream denominations are divided in their views of non-heterosexuality but nonetheless endorse the rights agenda. Campaigning groups are however more strident in their views which have tended to have become increasingly polarized. This paper considers the key issues and interprets these varying approaches as, firstly, a result of increasing marginalization in a post-Christian society and, secondly, a reflection of struggles between the conservative and liberal wings of the Christian community in the UK.