Christian Concern intend to bring two legal cases before the European Court of Human Rights in the new year, those of Gary McFarlane, a relationship counsellor from Bristol dismissed for gross misconduct by Relate for refusing to confirm he would provide directive sex therapy to homosexual couples due to his religious beliefs. Also Shirley Chaplin, an NHS nurse faced with disciplinary action after being told she was no longer permitted to wear her cross while at work on health and safety grounds. The NHS Trust indicated they would permit exemptions in their uniform policy for religious and cultural symbols that were ‘mandatory’ within the religion. An employment tribunal found that she had not been discriminated against on the basis of her religious beliefs.
Pray: for Christians in the British Isles to be free to continue and exercise their role in the workplace proclaiming and demonstrating Christian truths. (2Cor.12:12)