Christians might be caught out by recent ‘extremist’ definition

Christians are liable to being branded ‘extremists’ under the federal government’s recent definition of extremism published this week, a campaign group has warned. 

The recent definition says that “extremism is the promotion or advancement of an ideology based on violence, hatred or intolerance, that goals to” amongst other things “negate or destroy the elemental rights and freedoms of others”. 

Christian Concern said that Christians who’re pro-life, gender-critical or have traditionalist beliefs about marriage may fall foul of the brand new definition. 

“Christians who’re pro-life might be seen as being against an assumed ‘fundamental right’ to abortion and thus to be ‘intolerant’ and so extremist. It is already the case that being anti-abortion is on a Prevent list of ideologies seen as potential signs of extremism,” the organisation said. 

“Christians who’re against same-sex ‘marriage’ may be seen as wishing to ‘negate or destroy the elemental rights and freedoms of others’ and to be ‘intolerant’.” 

Prevent is the federal government’s counter-terrorism scheme that goals to stop individuals from becoming terrorists.

Christian Concern pointed to examples of Christians who’ve already been reported to Prevent for his or her beliefs, including school chaplain, Rev Dr Bernard Randall, who was referred over a sermon wherein he told students they didn’t need to agree with LGBT ideology. In one other incident, Christian teacher Svetlana Powell was reported to Prevent after saying “God loves you” to a lesbian pupil.

Christian Concern said that the brand new extremism definition was “vague” and may lead to real Christians being excluded from influencing government policy. 

Andrea Williams, chief executive of Christian Concern, said the definition was “not fit for purpose” and that she expected to see more Christians being reported to Prevent.

“It is absurd that Christians might be deemed ‘extremist’ for believing in real marriage or for being pro-life,” she said. 

“Christian Concern has supported Christians who’ve been referred to Prevent for expressing their Christian beliefs. The recent definition of extremism must have ensured that this may not occur again.

“Sadly, I now expect to see more referrals of Christians to Prevent, not less.”

She called on the federal government to make clear that ‘fundamental rights’ don’t include abortion, same-sex marriage or identifying as the alternative sex.

“Without this clarification, Christians who express their legitimate belief that marriage is between a person and a lady would risk being deemed ‘extremist’ by the federal government,” she said. 

“We urge the federal government to urgently make clear what ‘fundamental rights’ are intended within the definition of extremism.”