Anger as Lanarkshire ‘homophobic’ and ‘anti-vax’ fundamentalists cleared by charity regulator

An East Kilbride Christian fundamentalist group has been cleared by the charity regulator after it posted homophobic and anti-vax messages on social media.

The Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) began an investigation into the East Kilbride Christadelphians after our sister title, the Daily Record, uncovered a catalogue of hateful messages on its Facebook page.

It also posted anti-vax messages at the height of the Covid pandemic.

Download the Lanarkshire Live app today

The Lanarkshire Live app is available to download now.

Get all the news from your area – as well as features, entertainment, sport and the latest on Lanarkshire’s recovery from the coronavirus pandemic – straight to your fingertips, 24/7.

The free download features the latest breaking news and exclusive stories, and allows you to customise your page to the sections that matter most to you.

Head to the App Store and never miss a beat in Lanarkshire – iOS – Android

One referred to a Bible passage that mentions “poison medicines” and “sexual immorality” – making a link between ­vaccinations and homosexuality.

OSCR said: “Our investigation … has concluded that the views expressed by the charity are in accordance with their religious beliefs.

“In line with the Equality Act, we will not intervene in the activities of religious charities seeking to promote their ­religious beliefs unless their activities have the clear and direct effect of harming others or otherwise breach the law.”

The National Secular Society, which made the original complaint, said that “the advancement of religion” should be scratched from the official list of charitable purposes.

Its head of policy, Megan Manson, said: “It is concerning that OSCR is unable to intervene on a charity that promotes ­anti-vaccine conspiracy theories or anti-gay propaganda, if the charity is able to frame these messages in ­religious terms.

“We fail to see what active benefit East Kilbride ­Christadelphians is providing the public, while it is quite easy to see how its anti-vaccine and homophobic messages could cause detriment and harm.”

East Kilbride ­Christadelphians Facebook page did not respond to a request for comment.

Back in 2015, South Lanarkshire Council chiefs beefed up rules on religious teaching in South Lanarkshire schools following the creationism scandal at an East Kilbride primary.

In 2013, parents at Kirktonholme Primary slammed the eight-year presence of the separate organisation, American Church of Christ, at the school.

The creationist church based in West Mains, but whose roots lie in the US deep south, were ejected from the school after handing pupils books dismissing evolution and denouncing homosexuality.

Don’t miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.

And did you know Lanarkshire Live is on Facebook? Head over to our page to give us a like and share.