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Faith

UK Gov’t to Cross-Wearing Christians: You Must Choose Between Keeping Your Job & Expressing Your Faith

Sep. 6, 2012 8:05am Billy Hallowell

There’s an epic faith battle playing itself out in the European court system that will have a monumental impact on public expressions of faith in the workplace.

The stakes are certainly high in the case, which was brought by four Christians who claim they were discriminated against when they were told that they could not wear a crucifix to work (additionally, two additional individuals have related cases surrounding same-sex attraction). Rather than defending the individuals’ rights, government lawyers are siding with employers, claiming that believers may need to sacrifice their jobs if they wish to express their faith in such a public manner.

UK Govt to Cross Wearing Christians: You Must Choose Between Keeping Your Job & Expressing Your Faith

UK Prime Minister David Cameron (Photo Credit: FILE)

According to these lawyers, religious individuals are not legally entitled to the right to wear crosses against the will of their employers. Because the crucifix isn’t “a scriptural requirement,” the government says employers aren’t obligated to allow it. This argument paints a starkly different picture from United Kingdom Prime Minister David Cameron’s previous promises to change laws in a fashion that would protect religious expression in the workplace — something that apparently won’t be happening.

“There is a difference between the professional sphere where your religious beliefs conflict with other interests and the private sphere,” said James Eadie QC, a legal representative for the government. “Everyone has the right to express their beliefs, including the right to display religious symbols, but not an absolute right or a right without limits.”

Photo Credit: Wire Image

These arguments were heard this week at the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, France. TheBlaze first reported about this important religious freedom case back in March. Now, the battle is coming down to its final weeks and months, with both sides working diligently to advance their cause.

While the United Kingdom is arguing against these freedoms, Christians are responding — and quite harshly. Some believers are attacking the government for failing to protect the rights of its citizens. In court, their lawyers most recently argued that it is wrong for Christian adherents to have fewer rights than other religious peoples who may be theologically-required to wear a symbol or garment and, thus, would be permitted to do so.

“These are real people, real lives, real damage suffered,” Paul Diamond, for lawyer for the Christians explained. ”There is no knowing where this will end as society moves in a secular direction. The situation in the UK is now critical.”

The Daily Mail has more about the individuals and the cases that are involved in the monumentally-important court battle:

The hearing at the European Court of Human Rights involved four test cases, two of which involve employees prevented from wearing a cross at work. Nadia Eweida’s row with British Airways led the airline to back down in 2006 and Shirley Chaplin who – after 30 years as a nurse – was told she could no longer wear her cross on duty for health and safety reasons.

The other two cases are those of Lilian Ladele, who was sacked as a registrar by Islington council because she declined to conduct civil partnerships and Gary McFarlane, a Relate counsellor who lost his job in Bristol after admitting to bosses that he felt unable to give sex therapy to gays. [...]

The case comes at a time when senior Christian leaders, including the archbishops of the Church of England and the Pope, have complained that Christianity is being pushed out of public life in Britain.

Eadie had a tough message for those Christians who are demanding they be allowed to wear their crosses in the workplace and for those who wish to avoid marrying or treating gay couples and individuals.

“Employees are free to resign if they find their employment incompatible with their religious beliefs,” he said. “They can obtain alternative employment in which they can reflect their religion as they wish.”

As TheBlaze has previously reported, the European Court of Human Rights is based in Strasbourg, France, and is not a part of the European Union’s patchwork of institutions but rather aligned to the Council of Europe, which is dedicated to the protection of human rights across 47 countries. The New York Times reports that the court considers cases brought against nations that are bound by the European Convention on Human Rights.

It will likely be several months before a ruling is made.

(H/T: Daily Mail)

–

Related:

British Christians Fight for Right to Wear a Cross at Work

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Comments (92)

thegreatcarnac
Posted on September 6, 2012 at 9:39am
The British are losing their country to muslims and other anti-Christians. A country that was once free has allowed their own government to apply the shackles. They elected these liberal fools and now they suffer. Too bad they allowed the same group of socialist to take away their weapons. They assigned themselves to their own destruction when they did so. THe Christians in England will be tested in their own nation..,a nation that used to, like us, spread Christianity to the world. Do not think that islam is not behind this attack on Christian rights. Islam and the socialist have aligned to attack Christianity. They are doing the same here…but ..by God…we are armed and will fight.

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- ChiefGeorge
  Posted on September 6, 2012 at 9:55am
  Free to work as a slave for the state and paying taxes to the muslim family who will not work because its against their socalled faith. What a sham!
  
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- ChildOfTheKing
  Posted on September 6, 2012 at 10:03am
  Just you TRY TO REMOVE MY CROSS FROM AROUND MY NECK, IN THE U.S.A.
  Just you TRY TO TAKE MY JOB BECAUSE OF MY FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST, IN THE U.S.A.
  Just you TRY TO TAKE AWAY MY CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS, IN THE U.S.A
  
  There are a MILLION TRILLION lawyers out there that would LOVE to SUE YOU AND DEFEND MY RIGHTS.
  
  Too bad it’s in UK and not here. THIS WOULD BE 1 WAR AGAINST FOLLOWERS OF CHRIST THAT WOULD LOSE.
  
  TRUE followers of Christ do NOT shrink or run from conflict. We just deal with it peacefully and legally. WE ARE THE TRUE PEACEMAKERS, which does NOT mean we RUN or GIVE UP!!
  
  FOLLOWERS OF CHRIST IN THE U.K: we are praying for you!!
  However, I will say this: Jesus IS coming soon and there will be PERSECUTION in the FREE World big-time. BE READY FOR IT THROUGH PRAYER.
  
  Report this comment
- piper22
  Posted on September 6, 2012 at 11:19am
  Maybe it’s time the Queen start using her authority as the Head of the Church.
  
  Report this comment
- seljo1701a
  Posted on September 6, 2012 at 1:49pm
  While I sympathize with the plaintiffs in this case, those who act as if it couldn’t happen here in the U.S. have another think coming. Some states allow the employer to fire “without cause” (even just for looking at the boss wrong). That doesn’t mean that the former employee couldn’t file a lawsuit, but it would be a battle if this situation occurred, and I don’t know that it has precedent. I’d be afraid the wrong court here would rule the same way.
  
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- The_Cabrito_Goat
  Posted on September 6, 2012 at 2:45pm
  This really isn’t surprising
  
  They already have banned crosses and other religious symbols in France
  
  This is England, ok? England!
  
  Report this comment
- RWCT
  Posted on September 6, 2012 at 4:35pm
  Things PROGRESSING?,just as God’s WORD predicts. Christians will suffer for our faith, BUT, we are provided a WAY OF ESCAPE! I suggest everyone get a DVD called: THE DANIEL PROJECT, for details.This is a SECULAR DVD meant for those who do NOT believe in God. I pray all will heed this advice.
  Shalom, and Maranatha
  
  Report this comment
- Leopold
  Posted on September 7, 2012 at 12:03am
  Well, I am sure that Muslim women are now being told they cannot wear a headscarve anymore.
  
  I am sure!!!
  
  Report this comment
momrules
Posted on September 6, 2012 at 9:39am
We have watched the persecution of Christians increase as the pandering to Islam also rises worldwide. We are but one step behind the British. Islam, the militant atheist organizations and the Democrats all hate God and are working feverishly to make Christ a dirty word in America.

Get ready to make similar choices in America. Soon we will have to decide……Do I wear my cross, do I pray in public, do I openly declare my love of Jesus Christ or do I want to feed my family.

The choice is yours.

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- copatriots
  Posted on September 6, 2012 at 9:53am
  Trust in the Lord with all your heart.
  
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- ChildOfTheKing
  Posted on September 6, 2012 at 10:05am
  Yes, it IS a choice, BUT IF YOU ARE FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT, then the HS will lead you, teach you, and guide you. YOU HAVE NOTHING TO FEAR, THEN.
  
  It is not persecution that bothers me because IT IS CHRIST JESUS THAT THEY PERSECUTE.
  Bring it on, if you dare. GOD WILL PREVAIL. GOD WILL REPAY.
  
  Report this comment
- PIGSWILLNEVERFLY
  Posted on September 6, 2012 at 10:09am
  Pray for the Christians around the world. In Egypt they were guarded and barred in their homes so they could not leave to vote. The young women are being kidnapped by Islamists in Egypt and the families are terrified and screaming to God to help them. Syria, Nigeria, South Sudan they are killing Christians everywhere in Africa. Our Lord is a Mighty God and this can’t continue much longer.
  
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- PIGSWILLNEVERFLY
  Posted on September 6, 2012 at 10:40am
  “Get behind me, Satan!” “You do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.” Then Jesus said “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the So of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.” And so, i make My individual choice government of wicked men…I WILL NOT COMPLY.
  
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- kalli
  Posted on September 6, 2012 at 12:46pm
  …”and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake.” With the unrighteous and wicked taking control of gov’ts and people’s lives, we are witnessing the preparation for the entrance of the antichrist. As each day passes, I know we are one day closer to His return. There is nothing happening today that has not been foretold in the Bible.
  
  PSA 25:2 ” O my God, I trust in You; let me not be ashamed; let not my enemies triumph over me.”
  
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- RWCT
  Posted on September 6, 2012 at 4:43pm
  The LORD WILL protect HIS own. I FEAR NO ONE, or NOTHING. Greater is HE, who is IN me, than he[satan] who is in the world. We are now in the end days of the Laodician Church, as foretold, 1900+ years ago. Get the DVD THE DANIEL PROJECT, to give to unbelieving family/friends/neighbors. The evidence is irrefutable, and the choice, undeniable, for those who view it, and the associated DVD. I PRAY all, who read this will do so. ETERNAL destination is at stake.
  Shalom, and Maranatha
  
  Report this comment
Truth4SureNuff
Posted on September 6, 2012 at 9:38am
Just listen carefully to the way Dems express their “faith”, they do not say they support the Lord our God, they claim to follow our lord, who may in fact be little lord fauntleroy, the lord of the rings, but not GOD.

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BurntHills
Posted on September 6, 2012 at 9:37am
decades ago the national socialists won, pushing Winston Churchill out, and communism has ruled there since. Godless. on their other hand, they accept Sharia law and islam into every part as the native British citizens in the homefront EDL march in their own streets [against sharia-supporting police and muslims who attack and batter them with sticks and rocks and weapons] to stop the complete islamization of the island. England has islamic NO-GO Zones now where Brits can no longer go in their own cities and towns and countrysides. gangs of muslims there will gangrape and beat any white woman found with the sheet over her head. just like in Sweden and other islamized parts of Europe..

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Detroit paperboy
Posted on September 6, 2012 at 9:37am
Churchill is rolling over bout now………….

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namron019
Posted on September 6, 2012 at 9:36am
This is the wrong place to draw the line on standing up for your Christian beliefs.

Deuteronomy 5
7 ‘You shall have no other gods before Me.8 ‘You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; 9 you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me,

This is a carved image and not necessary to worship God. J.I. Packer wrote about this in “Knowing God”. Carved images and representations strip God of the fullness of his deity. For me Jesus is far more than then the cross alone. For through Christ all things were created, all things are held together by the power of his word and the cross doe not speak of that. The Cross is an amazing focal point of atonement but not the fullness of Christ. For my God is far greater than that and it is great opportunity to express that. For we worship God in spirit.

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- namron019
  Posted on September 6, 2012 at 9:40am
  One more point. If you follow Christ you life should be an open epistle. This is far greater then any symbol. For it is allow Christ to shine through us. One of my favorite says is “I polish my mirror so that I might better reflect Christ. A life submit to Christ is the best testimony.
  
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- ChiefGeorge
  Posted on September 6, 2012 at 10:00am
  Yes, but the eventual denouncement of your belief is coming regardless of if you wear a cross or not. The cross wearing Christian is the canary in the coalmine my friend.
  
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- woodyee
  Posted on September 6, 2012 at 10:07am
  You’re opinion makes good sense to me. I’ve always abhorred “symbols”, BECAUSE the Bible states as you say, and have had to “fight” family members over placement of such items within our home. Christianity should be (imho) displayed in thought and action, because wearing a cross to show your religion is not unlike wearing a colorful ribbon to show you “care”.
  
  On the other hand, public display of religious symbols serves a VERY useful purpose – it exposes our enemies to the light of day.
  
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- namron019
  Posted on September 6, 2012 at 10:47am
  Woodyee: I would disagree with you about the symbol exposing them to light. No where in the bible can this be found. But the way you live your life exposes them to light and life of Christ within you.
  
  Ephesians 5
  Walk in Light
  8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth),10 finding out what is acceptable to the Lord.11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret.13 But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light.14 Therefore He says: “Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light.”
  
  You see it is your walk that exposes them to light not a symbol not your talk (v 12), but your walk.
  
  I don’t disagree where this is going and Christ said if you follow he you WILL suffer. But I don’t think a religious symbol is where to draw the line.
  
  Report this comment
- piper22
  Posted on September 6, 2012 at 11:23am
  You need to read your own quote again: “You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth;”
  
  How exactly is a “cross” (a man-made object) an image of something that is in heaven, the earth or the water? The point of those verses is to not worship images of God’s living creation. The cross is man’s creation.
  
  Report this comment
- TeresaJ
  Posted on September 6, 2012 at 1:06pm
  No one is worshipping a cross. This is about whether people have a right to wear something that expresses their faith to work.
  
  Report this comment
paperpushermj
Posted on September 6, 2012 at 9:30am
What are they so scared of? Who’s Ox is being Gored if someone in the office is wearing a Religious Symbol. What a bunch of pansies these people are.

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hi
Posted on September 6, 2012 at 9:21am
I can possibly see not being allowed to wear religious symbols to work. But denying Christians the ability to wear a cross but supporting Muslims to wear hijabs is wrong.! This must be overturned.

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- ChiefGeorge
  Posted on September 6, 2012 at 10:02am
  What about prayer beads, WWJD braclets, religious themed tatoos? oh brother we are headed down and fast.
  
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Magyar
Posted on September 6, 2012 at 9:12am
Once a nation of honor and integrity, the UK is now racing toward the dark side at alarming speed. The LORD is watching and regrettably will punish the nation.

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- oldguy49
  Posted on September 6, 2012 at 9:22am
  its too bad that we are not paying more attention also ………… just look at what happened at the dnc convention when they tried to vote religion back on to their platform after taking it off{an obama wanted it back on……………right}
  
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- floridareader
  Posted on September 6, 2012 at 9:51am
  Maygar, God will not punish England, they are doing it to themselves.
  
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budzy1911
Posted on September 6, 2012 at 9:11am
I can see the democrats drooling over this and wanting to add this to their platform next year.

Sadly England has been lost to islam – and most of Europe is close behind.

Atheist like to go after Christians but are strangely they are silent when it comes to muslims. Do atheist really believe muslims will allow them to sit on the sidelines as islam spreads like a disease across the world?

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woodyee
Posted on September 6, 2012 at 9:10am
As much as I dislike agreeing with ANY decision the UK Parliament is prone to make (BECAUSE they are Socialist), I find this one reasonable because of a very salient condition which this Parliament has allowed to fester to uncontrollable proportion –

The influence of radical Islamo-facism on English society. Need I elaborate?

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I SPY
Posted on September 6, 2012 at 8:48am
WOW, talk about a losing battle. You UK liberal losers really know how to tick off the wrong people… and God at the same time.

Start digging your own graves now.

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GlennaBeckski
Posted on September 6, 2012 at 8:47am
This is nothing more than a prelude to … If you want food, water and all the necessities of life denounce your faith in Jesus Christ and accept the mark of the beast or be BEHEADED.

I heard Irwin Baxter who is an authority on end times say several years ago that the “pale horse” in the Book of Revelation represented “Islam” Been quite a while ago but I think the Latin word for pale is Chloros? sp? Which translated to green. At any rate considering that radical Islamists like to behead people I thought at the time and still continue to think … he hit the nail on the head.

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- ChiefGeorge
  Posted on September 6, 2012 at 10:09am
  I had a hard time getting my mind around the actual time of revelations taking place in this land from a 1980′s perspective. Its much clearer to me now the transformation of Americans and the world is happening right before our eyes. The stout freedom liberty loving American is being replaced with a dysfunctional female dominated society with pansies for men. How can we stand he at home if need be? The answer is we can’t when other nations never stopped producing warrior males. Americas days are numbered. We replaced high tech weapons for the weakening male warrior class of this country. We teach him War is never right, plastic guns are not to be played with, we dope his agressive child behaviour and we smack down any signs of leadership in him. Thus a better bomb has to be made to make up for his weakness. Now we see even the bombs meant to deter our enemies are being removed from the equasion, making our enemies bolder in believing America is up for grabs. The next invasion of America is about to begin. Once our dollar fails, they will soon be on us.
  
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scott4freedom
Posted on September 6, 2012 at 8:42am
This is a stark warning to the Christians around the world…The worlds system wants God out of the picture…same thing happened in most communist countries, WWII Germany, and many other places around the world. The worlds system hates God and they want no part of Him. Read the book of the Revelation the end times are drawing NEAR.ONE WORLD GOVERNMENT, A ONE WORLD “RELIGION” AND ONE DAY, A ONE WORLD LEADER. Wake up!! Jesus said it best…Like the birth pangs of a womans labor..they start out slow and move to closer and closer and closer. What will this world give birth to??

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ireport uderide
Posted on September 6, 2012 at 8:40am
Bye Bye GB.
A nation full of drunken sods that can’t seem to get enough beer in their bellies. They use to be THE “shining city on a hill”. Now it seems they are laying in the gutter passed out.
Rule, Britannia!

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- 13th Imam
  Posted on September 6, 2012 at 8:43am
  Get your tooth fixed
  
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- The Jewish Avenger
  Posted on September 6, 2012 at 8:51am
  What can you expect from a country that killed off over half of Ireland because of their hatred for Catholics?
  
  Dont worry the Muslim minority and the UN will have them bowing East in no time.
  
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Landon410
Posted on September 6, 2012 at 8:36am
really? really? government is starting to fight islam for the craziest religion in the world, thats right government is religion to these left wingers

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GaltLine
Posted on September 6, 2012 at 8:35am
How sad. The British have given up their sovereignty to what? The European Court of Human Rights? Who the h*ll or what the h*ll is that? The Britain I know would swiftly round them up and execute them for piracy.

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Deibido
Posted on September 6, 2012 at 8:32am
Cameron is another r-e-p-t-i-l-i-a-n. Check it?

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johnpaulkuchtajr
Posted on September 6, 2012 at 8:29am
Wow! Is this story’s appearance really coincadinkcal since the Dumocrats just managed to squeeze the word “God” back into their platform language after nixing GOD?

Kind of makes you wonder about the refusal to reinsert recognition of Hamas as a terrorist organization.

Oh, that’s right! Those boys are loading the Obama campaign war chests with piles of gold.

Can’t have anybody trash talking those turban-headed lads! And it is ONLY the lads since women aren’t allowed to come out and play politics in Muslim society. Ask all the women in Egypt what’s happened to their rights.

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copatriots
Posted on September 6, 2012 at 8:25am
What a surprise…..NOT. The real war and persecution against Christians continues.

May His will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

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- Jenny Lind
  Posted on September 6, 2012 at 9:12am
  Anyone thinking the earth has a very long time to go, is missing all the signs and scriptures, we are in the last days, and we better get ready fast.The only thing that is going to happen is it will get worse.
  
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- momrules
  Posted on September 6, 2012 at 9:47am
  Good Morning Copatriots……….I agree. His will be done as the persecution of His children continues and gets more brazen.
  
  Jenny………..The signs that we are approaching the end of this age are all around us. There are too many that discount the signs but that does not change reality. Looking at the world situation through Biblical eyes I believe time is very short.
  
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- copatriots
  Posted on September 6, 2012 at 11:29am
  As always, AMEN, MOM! And top o the mornin’ to you and JENNY!
  
  The Word says many be deceived and will refuse to see. Stunning how accurate that prophecy is in the world today. I have to constantly remember that we are IN the world, not OF the world.
  
  Dear God, I pray for mercy on this stiff-necked, obstinate, disobedient people.
  
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- YellowFin
  Posted on September 6, 2012 at 9:39pm
  And this good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations; and then the end will come. Matthew 24:14
  
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randy
Posted on September 6, 2012 at 8:21am
UK GOV’T TO CROSS-DRESSING ATHEISTS And Muslims wearing Hijabs: We welcome you with open arms…..

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Rickfromillinois
Posted on September 6, 2012 at 8:14am
Will this be enforced with Muslims, Hindus, Jews, or anyone else that wears anything that related to their religion? How about a case where someone claims that clothes should only be worn as protection from the elements and otherwise it is because of intolerance because of religious restrictions that they are forced to wear clothes so they should be able to run around naked.

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- DOra Glasberg
  Posted on September 7, 2012 at 12:42am
  Yes, it will.
  
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watersRpeople
Posted on September 6, 2012 at 8:13am
Haha. How are you going to get a real Christian to choose between their faith and a job when it is that if they choose their faith over their job then they are crucifying their want of a job? And if they decide to internalize the crucifix, then they are also marking their door with the sign of the lamb? Either way they choose their faith, and have marked their gate to the sheep’s pool. You have no power over the Lord.

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- watersRpeople
  Posted on September 6, 2012 at 8:24am
  And what of Christians who have already fled to their high-lands marking their door long long ago, and you don’t even know they are Christians? Likewise – you have no power over the Lord. You never have and you never will be anything like the Lord.
  
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13th Imam
Posted on September 6, 2012 at 8:12am
Funny part is that for hundred’s of years the church has been an institution of the British Government. Now , it seems, that one group of British Gov is in a turf war with other British Gov’s. Just where will Jumbles fall on this dilemma? We all know.

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kickagrandma
Posted on September 6, 2012 at 8:07am
That’s easy.

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