Temple Doors

Trevor Phillips - chairperson of the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) - has caused a bit of a storm with a recent statement about Christian groups and Muslim Sharia law.

In effect the head of the EHRC is accusing Christian leaders of hypocrisy - because by seeking exemptions from equality legislation - over adoption for example.

According to Trevor Phillips - these Christian groups behave in exactly the same way as certain Islamic groups who would impose a strict Sharia law in parts of the UK - if they could.

Now I don't have a whole lot of time for the EHRC these days.

Because I don't know what they do with all their money and resources - they certainly haven't been leading any fights over equal pay - that's for sure.

But putting personal feelings aside - I can't disagree with the thrust of Trevor Phillips argument - which is that religious authority should end 'at the door of the temple'.

And once outside the temple door, religious groups must give way to the public law - which treats everyone in the same manner.

Because how can it be right that religious groups - of any kind - could be allowed to operate by a quite different set of rules or laws - from from the rest of society?

Adoption is a good example.

One where religious adoption agencies fought a long legal battle to be allowed to continue their discriminatory practices - by refusing to place children  with same sex couples.

Yet such practices are now outlawed under the UK's equality laws.

Despite the fact that this is contrary to some people's religious beliefs - where discrimination against homosexuals is perfectly acceptable.

I do not have a religious faith but have no problem with those that do - except when they start claiming special treatment or telling other people - believers and non-believers alike - how to run their own lives.

So for once I take my hat off to the EHRC - for standing up, speaking out and being ahead of the curve.