There is a real risk of state interference in Christian doctrine if the recommendations of a UN expert on LGBT issues are followed, warns the World Evangelical Alliance [WEF].

The WEF’s Wissam al-Saliby said the report of the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) Independent Expert of the United Nations, Victor Madrigal-Borloz, blurs the lines between religious doctrines and violations of human rights by several references to “sin” and “exclusionary teachings”.

Under international law, he said the State has the right to restrict religious freedom where it amounts to a threat to public safety, order, health and life, but traditional Christian teachings about sin and sexuality are usually excluded from that.

However, “[t]he report and its recommendations invite State intervention in Christian doctrine. Such an intervention would amount to an attack on the doctrinal autonomy of Christian communities and would violate the core protection of the forum internum or the non-negotiable internally held beliefs stemming from the God’s revealed Word”.

In addition, religious freedom expert, Ignasi Grau, said: “Calling an act sinful should not mean persecuting a person. Otherwise, all believers would be persecuted or rejected”.

“Although the report does not say this explicitly, it seems to suggest that public authorities should prevent religions leaders to call what they consider a sin a sin”.