Government announce crackdown on religions discrimination practises
Today the PoT government have promised a crackdown on religions who have dicriminatory policies,views and practises if they get another term. They announced details about their plan to crack down on what they call cults as well as religions that have discrimination in policy towards women and LGBT people. They have promised to take away marriage licenses unless the organisation and individual is willing to conduct marriages regardless of sexuality or trans status they will also apply this values test to adopters and organisations running adoption and foster care.
Furthermore any preacher found to have a hateful and discriminatory message would be banned from the country entirely under new laws if the PoT is re-elected with homophobic and misogynistic organisations like the Catholic Church , Orthodox Church, Islamic organisations and Orthodox Judaism banned from having visiting preachers or missionaries or even having virtual meetings organised with said preachers. The government said "we believe in equality for all and religion is no excuse to discriminate. Any religion that does not follow Strathaen values of tolerance, democracy and acceptance of differences shall be restricted and controlled". When asked how the law would be upheld they said they would create a new agency called the Anti-Extremism and Cult Agency to monitor all religions for potential violations and punish any violations as well as deal with any reports.
The plans have been criticised by The Alternative who have called for religious tolerance in Strathae while Clan Socialist Party have indicated they will support some of the reforms though they will decide as to what extent they do when full plans are out or if they win the election conduct a public enquiry as to how best balance civil rights and deal with extremism.
On the campaign trail this week Blair Gobnet McLucais called Catholicism and Orthodoxy "Cancers on the face of Strathae that need treating". The comments were condemned by the Alternative and liberals within the country. The polls are showinh the contest will be close with PoT polling at 41% CSP at 40% and The Alternative at 18%. The closeness of the race means any party could win it depending on the clan ,makeup of the vote in each party.