Digital Trends

When the UK Christian charity, The Christian Institute attempted to place an ad on Google, it knew it was treading on murky territory. The Internet giant has a policy that states it doesn’t accept ads for ‘websites that contain 'abortion and religion-related content'."  Considering that the charity’s ad read "UK abortion law: Key views and news on abortion law from The Christian Institute. www.christian.org.uk," it probably came as no surprise that it was rejected for “inappropriate content.”

 

But that’s far from the end of the story. Now the Christian Institute might take Google to court. It says that Google is happy to take ads from non-religious abortion sites, or for consensual sex porn sites. It feels it’s being discriminated against under the Equality Act 2006, which prohibits religious discrimination in the provision of a good, facility or service.

 

It’s written to Google asking it to change its position or face legal action.

 

Colin Hart, Director of The Christian Institute: said: "Google promotes itself as a company committed to the ideals of free speech and the free exchange of ideas. It is against this standard that Google's anti-religious policy is so unjust.

"For many people, Google is the doorway to the internet. It is an influential gatekeeper to the marketplace of debate. If there is to be a free exchange of ideas then Google cannot give special free speech rights to secular groups whilst censoring religious views.

"To describe abortion and religion-related content as 'unacceptable content', while at the same time advertising pornography, is ridiculous."