ANGER AFTER SECT GIVEN GREEN LIGHT
Anti-vax, anti-gay Christian fundamentalist group cleared by the charities watchdog
THE charity regulator has given the green light for a Christian fundamentalist group to continue spreading homophobic and anti-vax messages.
The Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator began an investigation into the East Kilbride Christadelphians after the Record revealed a catalogue of hateful messages on its Facebook page. It also posted anti-vax messages at the height of the Covid pandemic. One referred to a Bible passage that mentions “poison medicines” and “sexual immorality” – making a link between vaccinations and homosexuality.
OSCR said: “Our investigation … has concluded that the views expressed by the charity are in accordance with their religious beliefs.
“In line with the Equality Act, we will not intervene in the activities of religious charities seeking to promote their religious beliefs unless their activities have the clear and direct effect of harming others or otherwise breach the law.”
The National Secular Society, which made the original complaint, said that “the advancement of religion” should be scratched from the official list of charitable purposes.
Its head of policy Megan Manson said: “It is concerning that OSCR is unable to intervene on a charity that promotes anti-vaccine conspiracy theories or anti-gay propaganda, if the charity is able to frame these messages in religious terms.
“We fail to see what active benefit East Kilbride Christadelphians is providing the public, while it is quite easy to see how its anti-vaccine and homophobic messages could cause detriment and harm.”
East Kilbride Christadelphians Facebook page did not respond to a request for comment.