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Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Christian Marriage Counselor Appeals To European Court Of Human Rights After Facing Religious Discrimination

And there is yet again another example of persecution over here in the West. We Westerners aren't immune from persecution. The Western persecution mayhem continues.

09/26/2011 UK (Mail Online)-A marriage counsellor who was fired for refusing to give sex therapy to homosexual couples has taken a discrimination case to a European court. Gary McFarlane’s religious discrimination case has been backed by the former Archbishop of Canterbury, Lord Carey.

Lobby group Christian Concern confirmed he was among tens of thousands of people writing to David Cameron, calling on him to support Mr McFarlane in his action at the European Court of Human Rights.
And he is one of four Christians taking legal action at a landmark hearing because they believe British laws have failed to protect their human rights to wear religious symbols or opt out of gay rights legislation.

Mr McFarlane, from Bristol, was sacked by marriage guidance service Relate in 2008 after he said he could not do anything to promote gay sex. The former church elder has again appealed on the grounds of religious discrimination that Relate had refused to accommodate his religious beliefs.

He lost his appeal for unfair dismissal at Bristol Crown Court in April 2010 and accused senior judges of being biased against Christianity. Mr. McFarlane started training with the service in May 2003 and said he enjoyed good relationships with clients and colleagues. He was suspended after meetings with his manager in October 2007 in which he claimed he was asked to state his views regarding same-sex couples.

Christian Concern is also backing three other cases including that of Christian nurse Shirley Chaplin, who was moved to a paperwork role after refusing to remove a necklace bearing a crucifix. Her case has been joined by registrar Lilian Ladele, who was disciplined after she refused to conduct civil partnership ceremonies. British Airways worker Nadia Eweida is also being supported after she was sent home for refusing to move or hide a necklace with a cross.

But a gay and lesbian charity today condemned the news that Mr McFarlane was taking his case to a European Court. Campaign and lobby group Stonewall was "shocked and deeply disturbed" when the Equality and Human Rights Commission announced in July its intention to intervene in Gary McFarlane's case. A spokesman said: "Gary McFarlane, had explicitly declined to deliver publicly-funded services to gay people.

"We were disturbed by the Commission's lack of recognition that its involvement would confuse what is now a settled legal position(Read More).

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