Policy Rationale
The United Kingdom is a secular state in which all citizens are entitled to freedom of belief and freedom from harassment. Religion is a private matter, not a public entitlement to proselytise. In recent years, there has been growing public concern about the visible and often intrusive presence of religious proselytisers in town centres, shopping areas, and online platforms. While freedom of worship is an essential liberty, it does not include the right to impose religious messaging on others in public or private spaces without consent.
Public areas must remain neutral, respectful, and welcoming to all citizens regardless of their beliefs. The intent of this policy is to reaffirm the principle that religion should be practised voluntarily, privately, and peacefully, without aggressive or unsolicited outreach to others.
Policy Provisions
- Prohibition of Religious Advertising in Public Spaces
It shall be an offence to display, distribute, or verbally promote any religious doctrine or belief in public spaces for the purpose of recruitment or conversion. This includes:- Distribution of religious leaflets, pamphlets, or other materials
- Use of placards, banners, posters, or loudspeakers
- Setting up of stalls, tables, or display stands promoting a religion
- Ban on Unsolicited Religious Door-to-Door Activity
No individual or organisation shall be permitted to visit private residences for the purposes of religious promotion or recruitment without an explicit prior invitation. Violations will be treated as harassment under civil law, and persistent or coordinated breaches will attract criminal liability for the organising body. - Ban on Religious Spam Mail
The sending of unsolicited physical mail containing religious material is prohibited unless the recipient has previously opted in to receive such communications. Offending organisations shall be liable for administrative fines of up to £10,000 per instance, with additional penalties for repeated offences. - Online Religious Advertising Restrictions
Religious organisations shall be barred from targeting users in the United Kingdom with unsolicited digital advertising for the purpose of recruitment or conversion. Any form of pop-up, sidebar, or direct message advertisement on social media platforms, email, or websites will fall under this restriction unless explicitly solicited by the user. UK-based internet service providers and platforms operating in the UK will be legally required to block or remove such material or face penalties. - Preservation of Freedom of Worship
This Act shall not apply to:- Worship within registered places of worship
- Religious discussion or expression among friends, family, or invited audiences
- Passive displays of faith by individuals (e.g. wearing symbols, private prayers)
- Academic, interfaith, or historical discussion of religions in educational or cultural settings
- Designated Religious Areas and Zones
Local authorities may designate specific, limited zones for religious discussion, provided they are not in or adjacent to commercial high streets, transport hubs, or general thoroughfares. Such zones must be clearly marked and may be subject to additional conditions or removal if misused. - Penalties and Enforcement
- First offences shall attract a fixed penalty notice of £500.
- Repeat or organised offences may be prosecuted under anti-harassment and public nuisance laws, with fines of up to £10,000 and, where applicable, organisational bans.
- Religious institutions found to have breached these terms may face suspension of charitable status if persistent and deliberate violations are identified.
Conclusion
Freedom of religion is not freedom to intrude. Religion must be practised in a way that respects the rights of all citizens to live free from unsolicited interference, just as religious persons have the right to practise their faith in peace and privacy. This policy ensures a clear and fair separation of belief from public imposition, restoring balance and civility to shared spaces.