DEFINITION OF RELIGION

Early day motion 334, tabled 7 December 2004 by Gordon Prentice (Labour). Signed by 19 members.

That this House regrets the absence of any definition of religion in the Serious Organised Crime and Police Bill, which will create a new offence of incitement to religious hatred; considers that all belief systems should be open to challenge, ridicule, satire and debate; and notes that the 2001 Census may provide a guide to the courts as to what may or may not be a religion by recognising Satanism, Mysticism, Animism, Paganism, Jedi Knight, Heathen Church on the Way, Cooneyite, Church of Prophesy, Day Church of God, New Age, Church of Harmony, Occult, Vodun, Wicca, Sant Mat, Celtic Pagan, Tin Tao, Free Church of Love, Divine Light Mission, Ancestor Worship and more than 200 other religions.

Signatures by party: Labour 14, Liberal Democrat 3, Labour/Co-operative 1, Plaid Cymru 1.