The perplexing world of Mr Phillips

Mr. Trevor Phillips, head of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, recently made some extraordinary comments about religious communities in Britain, alleging that it is often Christians who are out of step with the ‘mainstream’, while Muslims, in contrast, are “doing their damnest” – an odd choice of word – to achieve social integration.

Mr Phlllips produced little evidence to support his theory, beyond claiming that Christians are more likely to complain about discrimination. Maybe this is because there are more Christians, or perhaps more discrimination against them? Certainly, plenty of examples of prejudice against Christians can be found, ranging from petty ridicule and marginalization in the workplace, through to the arrest of street preachers and the banning of Christian symbols. The former Archbishop of Canterbury, Lord Carey, has gone so far as to say that Christians are being “bullied” out of public life in the UK.

One might have thought that this would be of concern to the Equality and Human Rights Commission. Yet far from condemning the problem of anti-Christian bias, Mr. Phillip’s remarks contribute to it, bolstering the widespread view that it is ‘open season’ on Christians.

Of course, what Mr. Philips actually meant is that there are many Christians who don’t agree with his own liberal interpretation of what is right and proper, particularly on the vexed issue of ‘gay rights.’ In an unpleasant undertone, he singles out the ‘black’ churches for particular censure.

In contrast, praising Muslims for their implicit tolerance seems a little bizarre; Islam not being exactly renowned for its support for gender or homosexual equality. Doubtless many Muslims are indeed fully integrated into Western society. But the existence of at least 85 sharia courts in the UK, with reports of their discriminatory policies with regards to women, suggests that not all are committed to our values of equality before the law and the abolition of gender discrimination. Setting up a parallel justice system that only applies to one community is about as far from integration as it is possible to imagine. That is why I have introduced the Arbitration and Mediation Services (Equality) Bill in the House of Lords to protect the rights of British Muslim women. Since women’s rights are presumably an issue close to Mr. Phillip’s heart, I look forward to his support.