eNews | Day 1 of Prayer & Fasting | Mon 3rd May ’21

We want to be #FreeToBelieve

Donate: https://www.gofundme.com/f/DestinyvCEC

Support this campaign to take legal action against the City of Edinburgh Council to establish the rights of all Christians and churches to follow their beliefs in matters of faith, conscience and conviction without discrimination or prejudice.

You can help by:
- Donating to support the legal costs required to fight this case.
- Sharing your support with us using #FreeToBelieve
- Pray for our lawyers, our team and a positive outcome in court proceedings

Background
As far as we are aware, no church in the UK has ever been locked out of a publicly owned building when seeking to hold meetings and services.

The City of Edinburgh Council (CEC) recently cancelled the contract between Destiny and the Usher Hall, in which they were due to hold their annual SURGE conference with many other partner churches.

They cancelled they say, because of complaints received on one of the invited guest speakers-Larry Stockstill, saying that his public comments previously made concerning homosexuality could cause offence to a sector of society on the grounds of their sexuality.

Larry Stockstill, holds the traditional biblical views on marriage which are commonly held by Christians, (Muslims and Jews).

The Surge conference was not connected or called or was to discuss any of these matters.

In the event, we are told that there was only ONE complaint and that from a disingenuous reporter.

We made a legal representation asking CEC to reconsider, pointing out our rights under the UN universal declaration of human rights (articles 18 and 19), the European Court of Human rights (article 10) and the UK equality act.
They have declined and wish to uphold their actions regardless.

We believe their actions to be unjust and unlawful, and perpetrates into the public square the intolerant practice of 'no-platforming'.

Whilst the law is clear, it is yet to be tested, and so the need for legal action.

The outcome of this case will affect every church in the UK, and indeed people of all faith or none.

We need your support as we take a stand for free speech, free thought and freedom of religion.

Thank you for considering our request and being mindful of our need at this time.

Andrew Owen
Senior Pastor, Destiny Church

More information here: https://www.destinyglasgow.com/freetobelieve

Come along to Surge Conference this year: https://surgeconference.com/
Write to us: pa@destiny-church.com
Follow us on social media to receive updates:
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/destinyglasgow
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DestinyChurchGlasgow
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/destinychurchonline
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/destinychurchglasgow

This fundraiser is to support the legal costs in seeking redress against the City of Edinburgh Council. Any excess or unused funds will be gifted to the Destiny Church Trust (SCO17898) Legacy Missionary Fund which aims to see 10,000 souls won for Christ.