A Christian printer declined to print business cards for a company promoting equality and diversity in October, saying he does not want to promote a cause which might impact negatively on Christians.
Nigel Williams, a small business owner in Southampton, said he could not fulfil a request from SEE Change Happen, because of its approach to diversity.
Marginalising Christians
In an email exchange, Williams said that ‘diversity’ is now being ‘used (or misused) to marginalise (or indeed discriminate against) Christians in their workplaces and other parts of society if they do not subscribe to it’.
After an enquiry about a print job for an organisation promoting diversity, Williams sent a reply, politely declining the request. He said he was ‘very happy’ to print for Lockwood the company director, but not for the company SEE Change Happen.
Would weigh heavily
He said: ‘It is foundational to Christianity that every person must be respected, valued and loved because they are made in the image of God, irrespective of their economic status, religious belief, gender, sexuality, race, etc., etc. … Although I’m quite sure you have no intention of marginalising Christians it would weigh heavily upon me if through my own work I was to make pressure worse for fellow Christians.’
