Faith

British Christians Fight for Right to Wear a Cross at Work

Nadia Eweida fights for right to wear cross at work (Reuters / Dylan Martinez)

Nadia Eweida fights for right to wear cross at work (Reuters / Dylan Martinez)

Two Christian British women have taken their case over religious liberty to the highest level, now set to square off against the Government of the United Kingdom at the European Court of Human Rights over their right to wear a cross or crucifix at work . In opposition to the women, the government will have to state publicly whether it backs the right of Christians to wear the symbol at work. The Telegraph reports that government ministers will argue that because displaying the cross is not a “requirement” of the Christian faith, employers can ban the wearing of the cross and fire workers who insist on doing so:

“The Government’s refusal to say that Christians have a right to display the symbol of their faith at work emerged after its plans to legalise same-sex marriages were attacked by the leaders of the Roman Catholic Church in Britain.

A poll commissioned by The Sunday Telegraph shows that the country is split on the issue. Overall, 45 per cent of voters support moves to allow gay marriage, with 36 per cent against, while 19 per cent say they do not know.

However, the Prime Minister is out of step with his own party.

Exactly half of Conservative voters oppose same-sex marriage in principle and only 35 per cent back it.

There is no public appetite to change the law urgently, with more than three quarters of people polled saying it was wrong to fast-track the plan before 2015 and only 14 per cent saying it was right.

The Strasbourg case hinges on whether human rights laws protect the right to wear a cross or crucifix at work under Article 9 of the European Convention on Human Rights. It states: ‘Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief, in worship, teaching, practice and observance.’

The Christian women bringing the case, Nadia Eweida and Shirley Chaplin, claim that they were discriminated against when their employers barred them from wearing the symbols.

They want the European Court to rule that this breached their human right to manifest their religion.”

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, and notes that British Prime Minister David Cameron has recently called for the court to restrict its power to overrule national judgements.

RT reports that the U.K. government will now fight in the court against Eweida and Chaplin, asserting that the Christians have no right to wear a cross or crucifix at work:

“Nadia Ewedia is a British Airways employee, who was asked to cover her cross while at work, and was placed on unpaid leave when she refused to do so. Shirley Chaplin is a nurse moved to a desk position after she refused to remove a crucifix.

The women claim they were discriminated against when their employers barred them from wearing a cross and crucifix respectively.

The government position is that wearing the cross is not a ‘requirement of the faith’ and therefore employers can ban the wearing of the cross at work.”

The Telegraph reports that lawyers for the two women claim that the government is setting the bar too high in their position, and that “manifesting” religion includes doing things that are not a “requirement of the faith.” They go on to argue that Christians are given less protection than members of other religions who have been granted special status for garments or symbols such as the Sikh turban and kara bracelet, or the Muslim hijab.

The government’s position has been criticized by British religious leaders. The UK Press Association reports that The Archbishop of York Dr. John Sentamu has attacked the government for denying that Christians have a right to wear the cross at work, saying on the BBC’s Andrew Marr show:
“My view is that this is not the business of government actually. They are beginning to meddle in areas that they ought not to. I think they should leave that to the courts to make a judgment.

“If someone wanted to manifest their belief as a Christian that they wanted to wear a cross – after all at their baptism they are sealed with a cross of Christ – so if they decided to say ‘I know I am sealed with it, but I am going to wear it’, I think that is a matter really for people and that we should allow it. The government should not raise the bar so high that in the end they are now being unjust.”

The Telegraph notes that Lord Carey, the former Archbishop of Canterbury, accused government officials and the courts of “dictating” to Christians, and said the government position regarding crosses was another example of Christianity becoming sidelined in official life.

 

Comments (108)

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  • godhatesacoward
    Posted on March 12, 2012 at 12:30am

    Mine is tattoed on my chest! Come for mine and I hope you are not allergic to dirt, pine or pork!

    Report Post » godhatesacoward  
    • R.A. Bullseye
      Posted on March 12, 2012 at 3:03am

      Amen

      Report Post »  
    • Choctaw25
      Posted on March 12, 2012 at 6:52am

      Or gunpowder and lead.

      Report Post » Choctaw25  
    • Itsjusttim
      Posted on March 12, 2012 at 7:00am

      Do you have the Stars and Stripes also tattooed on your chest in your “Symbolic” gesture of patriotism? Way back thousands of years ago Pagans used to get their bodies marked with signs and symbols, and so do primitive tribes, and so signs and symbols mean nothing. America isn’t a Christian nation, because all her bastard children say otherwise. And America is far from me.

      Report Post » Itsjusttim  
    • SpankDaMonkey
      Posted on March 12, 2012 at 7:01am

      .
      I’m Glad I got to go to the UK before the Muslims took over………

      Report Post » SpankDaMonkey  
    • 000degrees
      Posted on March 12, 2012 at 7:12am

      And our “leaders” want a one world government…….Fight it now or fight it later when it get’s really tough…
      “…..and not all the communists in hell can over run YOU!!!!….” General Chesty Puller

      Report Post »  
    • Itsjusttim
      Posted on March 12, 2012 at 7:16am

      I’m reminded once again of the song “Bye Bye American Pie” and in particular the verse that goes “Fall out shelter 8 miles high and falling fast.” Your fallout shelter is gone, and that’s the shelter spoken of in Revelation whereby it says “And fire comes down from Heaven to devour them” that’s the collapse of your shelter.

      Report Post » Itsjusttim  
    • Itsjusttim
      Posted on March 12, 2012 at 7:19am

      “The fallout shelter” that’s also called a tent, as in when the disciples wanted to build Jesus, Moses, and Elijah a tent, a “Fallout Shelter.” But the disciples didn‘t really understand that they didn’t need shelters, because they are the shelter.

      Report Post » Itsjusttim  
    • 000degrees
      Posted on March 12, 2012 at 7:20am

      correction…..Major General Oliver P. Smith……Chesty most likely said it too….

      Report Post »  
    • gsplgtr
      Posted on March 12, 2012 at 8:30am

      Hey ITSJUSTTIM, The song American Pie has nothing to do with whatis up in your head. every line in that song has to do with music industry. The day the music died refers to the day that “The Big Bopper” Richie Valenz and Buddy Holly died in a plane crash. You reference the verse, out of context, “Helter Skelter in a summer swelter. Byrds flew off the fall out shelter, eight mile high and fallin’ fast. Here is the meaning….Helter skelter in a summer swelter …..was the Tate La Bianca murders by Chrales Manson and his “family”. Byrds flew off the fall out shelter, eight miles high and falling fast…..reffered to the band “The Byrds” and their hit anti war song“Eight Miles High”. Sop enough of your wacko take on this song.

      Report Post »  
    • SpankDaMonkey
      Posted on March 12, 2012 at 9:40am

      .
      gsplgtr

      The short bus stops at your house right? Put your helmet on and go stand by the curb…..

      You might want to look your facts up………

      Report Post » SpankDaMonkey  
  • USPATRIOT101
    Posted on March 12, 2012 at 12:26am

    How many muslims are allowed their prayer time?

    Report Post » USPATRIOT101  
  • Soquel by the Creek
    Posted on March 12, 2012 at 12:19am

    This is why we must fight to protect our First Amendment rights. Americans are free to wear a cross, yarmulke, hijab, or even no sign whatsoever to work. Pity the Europeans.

    One wonders what will happen to those that wear a cross merely as a fashion statement.

    Report Post » Soquel by the Creek  
    • PaxInVeritate
      Posted on March 12, 2012 at 2:57am

      SOQUEL BY THE CREEK
      It will come here. Religious discrimination/persecution will get so bad that the government here and abroad will sell church property for profit. Those who refuse to give up their faith will have to go underground to practice it. In other words, a whole lot of bad is coming this way.

      Report Post » PaxInVeritate  
    • R.A. Bullseye
      Posted on March 12, 2012 at 3:17am

      Hey Soquel by the creek we are in the same county. It’s nice know there are others out there.

      Report Post »  
    • Katydidnt
      Posted on March 12, 2012 at 7:43am

      I don’t know if you saw on Drudge the other day, that a lot of churches are going into foreclosure. Not for the usual reason. They have balloon mortgages where you pay for 5 years, then the rest comes due. It has always been a cycle of refinancing again. The banks aren’t refinancing them, even if they have always paid on time. They have to come up with all of it or be foreclosed on.

      So basically churches that have been expanding, are the ones that are in trouble.

      Report Post »  
    • jodi
      Posted on March 12, 2012 at 7:55am

      My question is is it a private company? If government then no they can‘t’ but if private isn’t it the right of the employer to make rules,I where my cross always, if I wasn’t allowed I would work some place else, the pendulum swings both ways like it or not…..

      Report Post »  
    • ChildofJesus
      Posted on March 12, 2012 at 10:33am

      Do you really think the forces of darkness will care about the amendments? Don‘t deceive yourself by thinking so they’ll push their limits regardless only thing they respect and fear is Jesus.

      Report Post »  
  • auntbea
    Posted on March 11, 2012 at 11:47pm

    “In the recent destruction of Commonwealth war graves in Benghazi, Libya (YouTube Video), you can see not just the desecration of graves, but attacks on crosses. The men are methodically, deliberately, and in an organized fashion, going about destroying crosses and objects marked with crosses. Their mood seems happy. Every now and again the cry Allahu Akbar rings out, or a chuckle of joy. They pass comments on the graves as they kick them over: “Break the cross that belongs to those,“ ”This is the grave of a Christian,” and, “This tomb has a cross on it.” – Mark Durie

    Report Post »  
  • auntbea
    Posted on March 11, 2012 at 11:34pm

    War against Christianity/War against our Western way of Life

    The Islamists don’t miss a trick, do they?

    Report Post »  
  • COFemale
    Posted on March 11, 2012 at 11:15pm

    The hijab is not a requirement of the Islam faith; it is a requirement from the male chauvinist Muslims who want their women to be modest. If I could not wear my cross, I would see the women to remove their hijab.

    England is treading on dangerous ground here and they need to be careful. As far as I am concerned my employer has no right to tell me I can’t wear jewelry that may or may not have a cross.

    Report Post » COFemale  
    • Choctaw25
      Posted on March 12, 2012 at 6:57am

      In Barrys world, yes they do have control over EVERY aspect of your life.
      It‘s coming and America can’t stop it, oops I’m sorry, I meant to say America WON’T stop it.

      Report Post » Choctaw25  
  • Mr.Fitnah
    Posted on March 11, 2012 at 11:08pm

    The laws allow muslims to wear the niqab. Great.
    No cross’s and the land swarming with bats.

    Report Post » Mr.Fitnah  
  • lessoneleg
    Posted on March 11, 2012 at 11:07pm

    The UK and its anti Christian liberalism has gone nuts absolutely nuts. An Islamic person can pretty well do anything. They get prayer rooms, segregated eating areas, food preparations, etc. But heaven forbid have a Christian cross on under your private clothing an oh man management goes bonkers. Can’t upset your Muslim co-worker can you.

    Report Post » lessoneleg  
    • CatB
      Posted on March 12, 2012 at 12:19am

      Coming here quickly .. .unless we stand up NOW!

      Report Post »  
    • asybot12
      Posted on March 12, 2012 at 1:14am

      @catb it is here already, f.i. what has happened to the Frt. Hood murderer , what about the judge in Fl. that has allowed muslims to settle according to Sharia! The list gets longer as you well know!

      Report Post »  
    • Chuck Stein
      Posted on March 12, 2012 at 1:48am

      @ asybot12
      Don’t forget about the judge in PA who threw out the case for assault & battery by the Muslim against the Atheist because of the Atheist dressing up as a “Zombie Mohammed” — and then the judge lectured the VICTIM of the assault!
      I think that the Atheist was/is an idiot, but I hope he goes after his attacker in civil court and gets a big award. (Same sort of thing as the civil suit against O.J. Simson after his aquittal for double murder).

      Report Post »  
  • Farmer John
    Posted on March 11, 2012 at 11:01pm

    The “Legion” has come out of the wood work…Christianity is under attack on a global scale.

    Report Post » Farmer John  
    • randy
      Posted on March 12, 2012 at 1:27am

      I feel another Holy war is on it’s way

      Report Post » randy  
    • LegionOfOne
      Posted on March 12, 2012 at 3:22am

      Oh, there are many Legions, my friend. Not all in the employ of the devil. If the enemies of God want war, this Legion goes to battle. Remember: God himself employs an Angel of Death.

      Report Post »  
  • Hmschoolnmama
    Posted on March 11, 2012 at 10:59pm

    Leave it to the women again to stand up and be counted. C’mon, people, stand up and fight for your rights! If you don’t, one day you will awake and they will be gone.

    Report Post » Hmschoolnmama  
  • dealer@678
    Posted on March 11, 2012 at 10:40pm

    My first wife used to turn my neck cross around to my back so she wouldnt see it. She only did it twice. That time i was married 30 days. And that cross is still on my neck

    Report Post »  
    • barber2
      Posted on March 12, 2012 at 12:23am

      And you never discussed religious affiliations / beliefs before marriage ??

      Report Post »  
  • The Third Archon
    Posted on March 11, 2012 at 10:32pm

    Would have been nice if it mentioned their PROFESSION somewhere in the article…

    Report Post » The Third Archon  
    • COFemale
      Posted on March 11, 2012 at 11:18pm

      “Nadia Ewedia is a British Airways employee, who was asked to cover her cross while at work, and was placed on unpaid leave when she refused to do so. Shirley Chaplin is a nurse moved to a desk position after she refused to remove a crucifix.

      Perhaps you read too quickly.

      Report Post » COFemale  
    • asybot12
      Posted on March 12, 2012 at 1:16am

      @ cofemale . He does not read at all, otherwise he would have told me long ago where the first and second archon are or were .

      Report Post »  
    • R.A. Bullseye
      Posted on March 12, 2012 at 3:19am

      They’re nuns. ( kidding ).

      Report Post »  
  • RinkyDink34
    Posted on March 11, 2012 at 10:04pm

    To see where the U.S.A. is heading you don’t need a crystal ball just look across the pond to see what the progressives aka communists have done to themselves by the people not standing up for their Freedoms. Before We the Patriots of America are not the majority We must stop Obama in it’s tracks come November 6, 2012 elections; I can not wait until “IT” is only a distant abhorrent memory.

    Report Post » RinkyDink34  
  • Itsjusttim
    Posted on March 11, 2012 at 9:56pm

    You know what’s funny, and it’s a sure indicator of how void the earth is? I’m very spiritual oh if you only knew, and my first born child is a staunch Atheist, and he’s reminiscent of Lucifer. But I have laid out the things for him that is going to happen in the world, and when they happen to him he will find himself under the proverbial tree all naked and ashamed, and falling.

    Report Post » Itsjusttim  
    • lukerw
      Posted on March 11, 2012 at 10:37pm

      Lucifer? — There is no such Being: It was placed in Roman Texts as an Interpretation of “Morning Star” (Venus)!

      Report Post » lukerw  
    • Itsjusttim
      Posted on March 11, 2012 at 10:46pm

      Haha. Yes, my son was my morning star, oh at least I thought. Like I said, you can’t see anything larger than your own nose.

      Report Post » Itsjusttim  
    • lukerw
      Posted on March 12, 2012 at 12:16am

      Have you painted a room Black, yet?

      Report Post » lukerw  
  • momprayn
    Posted on March 11, 2012 at 9:54pm

    Didn’t know there were that many “real” Christians over there anymore…they’ve been in spiritual decline for many, many, many decades. As a Christian, I must say that the employer should have the right to dictate what they require for their dress code, religious affiliation, whatever. Check this out before you accept the job – if you can’t accept it, that’s your right – go look for another. Having said that, I do believe that there IS a great push against Christianity in the world, including America – been going on here for decades. That’s what is deplorable and destructive. Used to be you didn’t hear of such requirements. And yes, they are being overrun by Muslims – their own fault allowing all that too. I heard some of them talking to a reporter over there last year, admitting that was their plan – to take them over. BTW – that’s their plan for us too…….

    Report Post »  
  • banjarmon
    Posted on March 11, 2012 at 9:47pm

    Wear the FISH….I DO!!!

    http://www.usafish.com/

    Report Post » banjarmon  
  • cassandra
    Posted on March 11, 2012 at 9:38pm

    If anybody doesn’t believe there is a war against Christianty your blind

    Report Post »  
    • DeavonReye
      Posted on March 12, 2012 at 10:05am

      My blind what?

      And no, . . . there isn’t a “war on christianity”. A few stories is hardly a war on an institution.

      Report Post » DeavonReye  
    • majahn
      Posted on March 12, 2012 at 11:28am

      @Devonraye…..You are a moron, if you can‘t see what is going on in the world with trying to get rid of Christian’s, and make sure that the Mooslums run the world.
      Open your eyes, pretend like you have a working brain, and see what is right in front of you !!!!!

      Report Post »  
  • BurntHills
    Posted on March 11, 2012 at 9:31pm

    obama is salivating at the thought of destroying ALL the Christian symbols in THIS country, whether it is across on a necklace or on a Church..

    April 2009 – When speaking at Georgetown University, Obama orders that a monogram symbolizing Jesus’ name be covered when he is making his speech.
    January 2011 – After a federal law was passed to transfer a WWI Memorial in the Mojave Desert to private ownership, the U. S. Supreme Court ruled that the cross in the memorial could continue to stand, but the Obama administration refused to allow the land to be transferred as required by law, and refused to allow the cross to be re-erected as ordered by the Court

    Report Post » BurntHills  
  • PoliticalTs.com
    Posted on March 11, 2012 at 9:28pm

    I am sorry, but you folks are wrong on this one. When you are in the employ of someone else, they have the right to tell you what to wear. Wether it be to wear a funny hat, or cut your hair short, or clown shoes. They have the right o tell you to wear anything they want, or not wear something, and you have the right to decide not to work there. This practice has been going on for literally thousands of years, and there is nothing wrong with it, as long as it is administered equally, which also means they have the right to tell muslims not to wear a hijab, or sieks not to wear a turban, no matter what their religion says about it, they are paying you, they dictate to you.

    Report Post »  
    • Satrix
      Posted on March 11, 2012 at 9:43pm

      Yes, employes are allowed to set the dress code. The question is, are other employees able to wear necklace pendants of any kind? If there is a universal rule at that establishment that no necklaces are allowed, then that is one thing, but if they are allowed, but Christians are not allowed to wear crosses, then there is a discrimination issue. If the establishment allows the wearing of hats and someone wants to wear a turbine or something else, so be it.

      Report Post »  
    • NOCLUE
      Posted on March 11, 2012 at 9:59pm

      Lets see if this discrimination is directed at moooslims when they want to stop and pray 5 times a day and wear their beards and skull caps or wash their feet in the sinks that we all use.It is time for all Christians to rise up and fight back.We need to pinpoint,segregate and drive out of office any and all politicians that promote or condone these acts of blatant discrimination toward Christians.This is an insidious attempt by the moooslims through our political system to overthrow our country and our society.DEATH TO THEM ALL.

      Report Post »  
  • neverending
    Posted on March 11, 2012 at 9:12pm

    Just imagine this too is just around the corner for us.

    Report Post »  
  • grannyjojo
    Posted on March 11, 2012 at 9:01pm

    I am praying for these women. There is NOTHING wrong with wearing a cross necklace, I’ve worn one for years and if I was told I had to remove it or lose my job, reckon I’d lose my job. The British government has no right to meddle. Its something that has been accepted for eons. I personally believe there is a concerted effort to erradicate Christianity in this world. I’m making my stand for the Lord with type of issue. Christians are becoming more and more marginalized. May God bless these women and the ones who come after them for standing up for their religious rights. Just look at that cross, does it look menacing, flamboyant or anything else but a small personal expression of their faith? Nope. Its time for Christians to make a stand before its too late. God bless all. “Every knee will bow and every tongue confess”

    Report Post »  
  • Baddoggy
    Posted on March 11, 2012 at 8:59pm

    Yea in the 80s I had a boss tell me to take off my cross….It didnt happen. He was fired for religious harassment…That’s how we roll in Texas.

    Tell them to kiss youra@@…in a Christian way of course…hehehe

    Report Post » Baddoggy  
  • Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
    Posted on March 11, 2012 at 8:58pm

    Maybe they should just wear a burhka, head scarf, yamika, and a cross. See which one they are told to take off, then you can see what they are discriminating against.

    Report Post » Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra  
  • progressiveslayer
    Posted on March 11, 2012 at 8:55pm

    Sadly it’s too late for the U.K they’ve been infected by Jihadists and are now overrun with them.

    Report Post » progressiveslayer  
    • Baddoggy
      Posted on March 11, 2012 at 9:02pm

      Yes…I had a chance to go to Europe on an all expense paid trip this year. The TSA and the Eurozone fools made me decline. I dont want to be groped by a pedophile then visit muzzieland…Thanks but no thanks.

      Report Post » Baddoggy  
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