A local councilmember in Britain is taking legal action after allegedly being suspended by the Conservative Party over a social media post declaring that “Pride is not a virtue but a sin.”
According to the Christian Post, King Lawal, 31, who has been a member for two years at North Northamptonshire Unitary Council in England, was suspended from the Conservative Party and “canceled” by six other organizations for sharing a tweet during LGBT pride month calling on those who have pride to repent of their sin and turn to Jesus Christ. The post included an image citing Isaiah 3:9, stating, “Whatever God calls ‘Sin’ is nothing to be Proud of.’
“‘When did Pride become a thing to celebrate. Because of Pride Satan fell as an arch Angel,” Lawal wrote in his tweet. “Pride is not a virtue but a Sin. Those who have Pride should Repent of their sins and return to Jesus Christ. He can save you. #PrideMonth #Pride23 #PrideParade.’”
Lawal, who is supported by the Christian Legal Centre, is alleging that he the Conservative Party suspended him pending an investigation. Additionally, Lawal has also allegedly been warned of a possible police investigation and received an “illegal ultimatum” from a local authority stating he must resign from his own business or face a substantial contract being scrapped.
CLC contends those actions violate his rights to freedom of speech and freedom of religion. Andrea Williams, the chief executive of the Christian Legal Centre, said in a statement on Monday that how Lawal was treated “has been brutal and is a clear case of viewpoint discrimination against a standard expression of Christian belief.”
“Where is ‘diversity,’ ‘tolerance’ and ‘inclusion’ here? We have only a monoculture which requires approval, allegiance and promotion of LGBT Pride no matter what,” Williams said.
“The pace at which Cllr Lawal has been essentially removed from public life for expressing his beliefs is disturbing as he has been democratically elected and undemocratically canceled.
Local authorities, schools and even libraries cannot be allowed to discriminate against and exclude Christians and their beliefs under the increasingly draconian and oppressive banner of ‘inclusivity.’”
Lawal said in a statement that his tweet was not meant to be “hateful” and was “not singling out specific people or groups of people as sinners.” Lawal mentioned Romans 3:23, which he paraphrased by stating:
“there is no distinction, for all have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God.” He added that as the only black councilmember in North Northamptonshire, he is aware of “what it is like to be in the minority” and “would never discriminate against anyone.”
“I have diligently represented all my constituents; however, I must also be free to express my beliefs without fear. The blunt emails and cancellations I received were shocking and hurtful. There was no respect, no conversation and no reasonableness,” Lawal continued.
