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Christians take 'beliefs' fight to European Court of Human Rights Christians take 'beliefs' fight to European Court of Human Rights
(35 minutes later)
Four British Christians who claim they lost their jobs as a result of discrimination against their beliefs are taking their cases to the European Court of Human Rights later.Four British Christians who claim they lost their jobs as a result of discrimination against their beliefs are taking their cases to the European Court of Human Rights later.
They include an airline worker stopped from wearing a cross and a counsellor who refused to deal with gay couples.They include an airline worker stopped from wearing a cross and a counsellor who refused to deal with gay couples.
All four lost separate employment tribunals relating to their beliefs.All four lost separate employment tribunals relating to their beliefs.
The BBC's Robert Pigott says the result will mark a "watershed moment" in social change to Christian beliefs.The BBC's Robert Pigott says the result will mark a "watershed moment" in social change to Christian beliefs.
The cases involve British Airways check-in clerk Nadia Eweida, nurse Shirley Chaplin, relationship counsellor Gary McFarlane and registrar Lilian Ladele:The cases involve British Airways check-in clerk Nadia Eweida, nurse Shirley Chaplin, relationship counsellor Gary McFarlane and registrar Lilian Ladele:
  • Ms Eweida, a Pentecostal Christian from Twickenham, south-west London, was sent home by her employer British Airways in 2006 after refusing to remove a necklace with a cross
  • Devon-based nurse Mrs Chaplin was moved to a desk job by Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Trust Hospital for similar reasons
  • Mr McFarlane, a Bristol counsellor, was sacked by Relate after saying he had a conscientious objection to giving relationship advice to gay people
  • Ms Ladele was disciplined after she refused to conduct same-sex civil partnership ceremonies in north London
'Too narrow'
  • Ms Eweida, a Pentecostal Christian from Twickenham, south-west London, was sent home by her employer British Airways in 2006 after refusing to remove a necklace with a cross
  • Devon-based nurse Mrs Chaplin was moved to a desk job by Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Trust Hospital for similar reasons
  • Mr McFarlane, a Bristol counsellor, was sacked by Relate after saying he had a conscientious objection to giving relationship advice to gay people
  • Ms Ladele was disciplined after she refused to conduct same-sex civil partnership ceremonies in north London
'Too narrow'
British courts have found overwhelmingly against Christians, occasionally comparing their beliefs unfavourably with secular principles.British courts have found overwhelmingly against Christians, occasionally comparing their beliefs unfavourably with secular principles.
Now the issue has reached the top of the legal process, and, by making this an oral hearing, the European Court is clearly troubled by it and taking it very seriously.Now the issue has reached the top of the legal process, and, by making this an oral hearing, the European Court is clearly troubled by it and taking it very seriously.
Its findings will constitute a watershed moment in what has become a slow-acting, but profound, social change.Its findings will constitute a watershed moment in what has become a slow-acting, but profound, social change.
Attention will focus especially on the ruling in the cases where Christians claim they faced discrimination by being forced to provide services to gay people despite their belief that homosexual practice was wrong.Attention will focus especially on the ruling in the cases where Christians claim they faced discrimination by being forced to provide services to gay people despite their belief that homosexual practice was wrong.
It seems likely that, whatever is decided in Strasbourg, that Christians will soon be able to wear crosses at work, but the judgement on their beliefs about homosexuality will be far-reaching.It seems likely that, whatever is decided in Strasbourg, that Christians will soon be able to wear crosses at work, but the judgement on their beliefs about homosexuality will be far-reaching.
Earlier this year, the four were backed by the UK's equality watchdog, the Equality and Human Rights Commission, which said judges had interpreted equality laws "too narrowly" in religious claims.Earlier this year, the four were backed by the UK's equality watchdog, the Equality and Human Rights Commission, which said judges had interpreted equality laws "too narrowly" in religious claims.
It said this had led employers to place undue restriction on how far Christians could behave in accordance with their beliefs.It said this had led employers to place undue restriction on how far Christians could behave in accordance with their beliefs.
During Mrs Chaplin's case, the NHS trust said the necklace her cross was on had breached health and safety guidelines. She lost her discrimination case in 2010.During Mrs Chaplin's case, the NHS trust said the necklace her cross was on had breached health and safety guidelines. She lost her discrimination case in 2010.
Meanwhile, Miss Eweida, who was suspended by British Airways for breaching its uniform code, also lost her case against discrimination in 2010.Meanwhile, Miss Eweida, who was suspended by British Airways for breaching its uniform code, also lost her case against discrimination in 2010.
In the same year, Mr McFarlane, a Christian marriage guidance counsellor from Bristol, lost his court bid to challenge his sacking for saying he might not be able to give sex therapy to homosexuals.In the same year, Mr McFarlane, a Christian marriage guidance counsellor from Bristol, lost his court bid to challenge his sacking for saying he might not be able to give sex therapy to homosexuals.
And, also in 2010, the Supreme Court ruled against Ms Ladele, who was disciplined by Islington Council for refusing to conduct same-sex civil partnerships.And, also in 2010, the Supreme Court ruled against Ms Ladele, who was disciplined by Islington Council for refusing to conduct same-sex civil partnerships.
The court refused her bid to challenge an appeal tribunal which overturned a previous decision by an employment tribunal that the council had discriminated against her.The court refused her bid to challenge an appeal tribunal which overturned a previous decision by an employment tribunal that the council had discriminated against her.
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