BRITAIN: The British Co-operative Bank has vigorously defended its decision to ask evangelical group Christian Voice to close its account because of its anti-homosexual views.
The bank, based in Manchester, said the group's website was "full of blatant homophobia" and that its "discriminatory pronouncements based on the grounds of sexual orientation" was "incompatible with the position of Co-operative Bank, which publicly supports diversity and dignity in all its forms for our staff, customers and other stakeholders".
"The Bank believes in respect for all sectors of society and its approach to Christian Voice is based purely on the issue of diversity and not on the grounds of religion."
Christian Voice claimed it was a victim of religious discrimination and was now waiting to see other Christian, Jewish and Muslim religious groups holding similar opinions also asked to close their accounts.
Stephen Green, national director of Christian Voice, said the bank's decision "fits a pattern where politically correct bully boys try to attack Christian organisations, Christian symbols, the Bible, and in the case of Jerry Springer the Opera and BBC2, even the person of our Saviour."
A spokesman for the bank insisted the decision had been taken on the basis of diversity rather than religion. The bank's head of sustainable development, Paul Monaghan, had earlier written to Mr Green telling him that anyone who regarded homosexuality as sinful had no place banking there. "You must have slipped the net," he said, adding that the Co-op was "not a natural port of call for those who took a Biblical view of homosexuality".
When first informed of the bank's decision Mr Green retorted: "Of course we make 'discriminatory pronouncements' on grounds of sexual orientation. We have been criticising homosexual rights since we started eleven years ago. Standing up for righteousness is what we do."
He continued: "It is a conviction of our Christian faith that homosexual activity is sinful; in fact it is an abomination in the eyes of God. It is also a conviction of ours that the Lord Jesus shed His precious blood to forgive the sins of all who put their trust in him, including sexually-active homosexuals."
Mr Green attacked the bank for participating in a number of gay pride marches around Britain. A spokesman for the bank said it was proud of its involvement.