wfn.org | Churches welcome age of consent vote

["Evangelical Alliance Press Office" <EAUK.Press.Office@lineone.net>]

Immediate Release:  22/7/98

Tonight's decision by the House of Lords to overturn
the reduction in the homosexual age of consent has been
warmly welcomed by the Evangelical Alliance, the
umbrella group representing over one million Christians
in 30 denominations.

Martyn Eden, public affairs director for the Alliance
said after the vote:  "Home Office figures on
prosecutions show that homosexual acts at 16 are
already decriminalised in practice.  Had the vote gone
the other way it would have served only to send a
signal to young people that it is acceptable to
experiment with sex at whatever age they want.

"Tonight's decision sends a positive message to
children, young people and all members of society.  We
live in an age of moral confusion.  Tonight's vote may
help turn the tide and restore moral values in society.

Mr Eden added: "The Home Secretary will deliver a major
speech on the family tomorrow.  I hope he uses that
occasion to confirm news reports that he will not try
to overturn the Lord's vote in the Commons.

ENDS

For further information, contact:

Keith Ewing, kewing@eauk.org 
0171 207 2116 or + 44 171 207 2116 

or
Gavin Drake, gdrake@eauk.org
0171 207 2117 or + 44 171 207 2117

Evangelical Alliance UK,
Whitefield House,
186 Kennington Park Road,
London, SE11  4BT

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