Lawyers representing the United Kingdom said last week that Christians might have to forfeit their jobs if they wish to express their faith in the workplace, reports the Catholic News Agency.
“Employees are free to resign if they find their employment incompatible with their religious beliefs,” government lawyer James Eadie said.
“They can obtain alternative employment in which they can reflect their religion as they wish.”
His comments were made at a hearing on September 4 in Strasbourg, France, before the European Court of Human Rights, involving four cases of British Christians who claim to have suffered faith-based discrimination at their places of employment.
The plaintiffs assert that existing UK law insufficiently protects their rights to freedom of religion and freedom from discrimination at work.
Two were kept from wearing crosses, Nadia Eweida, an employee of British Airways, and Shirley Chaplin, a long-time nurse.
The remaining two are Lilian Ladele, who lost her job with a London borough government for refusing to conduct civil partnerships, and Gary McFarlane, a therapist who was fired for saying he was unable to give sex therapy to homosexual couples.
According to the Daily Mail, Eadie claimed there is “a difference between the professional sphere where your religious beliefs conflict with other interests and the private sphere.”
FULL STORY UK lawyers say Christians may have to choose between faith and job (CNA)