The Charity Commission has opened a compliance case into a recently registered Christian charity after concerns were raised about a sermon delivered by its chair.
A video of the sermon shows Tabor Baptist Church chair Andrew Love saying that “marriages tend to go wrong” when “the wife fails to submit to a husband: she usurps his authority, doesn’t listen to him, wants to be the leader, and the marriage is in great difficulties”.
In the video, which was uploaded to YouTube, Love says another problem is when a husband “fails to understand and care for his wife” and “doesn’t recognise her to be the weaker vessel”.
Love also says that a wife “doesn’t need to keep nagging” her husband and that “the way that she is to win him over is by her chaste conduct”.
The National Secular Society (NSS) raised concerns about the sermon with the regulator, which confirmed it has opened a compliance case.
A Charity Commission spokesperson said: “We can confirm that we have received a complaint regarding a sermon linked to the Tabor Baptist Church and we are engaging with the charity’s trustees to gather further information.
“This will help us determine whether there is a role for the commission as regulator.”
NSS: ‘Medieval misogyny’
National Secular Society human rights lead Alejandro Sanchez said: “Pastor Love is entitled to his pronouncements on the submission of a wife to her husband.
“But taxpayer money should not be subsidising this medieval misogyny.
“It is patently absurd that a charity openly espousing the subordination of women is acting in the public benefit.”
Tabor Baptist Church, which registered as a charitable incorporated organisation in July, has been contacted for comment.
Related articles
