UK government attorneys: Christians have no right to wear the crucifix at work
CWN – September 10, 2012
At the European Court of Human Rights, state attorneys for the United Kingdom argued that Christians do not have a right to wear a crucifix at work.
“There is a difference between the professional sphere where your religious beliefs conflict with other interests and the private sphere,” argued James Eadie. “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.”
“That does not mean that in their professional sphere anyone can manifest their religious belief in any way they choose,” he continued. “Employees are free to resign if they find their employment incompatible with their religious beliefs.”
The court is considering the cases of four British citizens who allege they were the victims of anti-religious discrimination on the job.
Additional sources for this story: Christians ‘must choose between job or their faith’: Government lawyers claim at European court (Daily Mail) www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2198201/Christians-choose-job-faith-Government-lawyers-claim-European-court.html?printingPage=true
Will the U.S. be next? At least one Supreme Court Justice, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, says it’s ok for U.S. judges to use foreign law for guidance in their own decisions.
We in Mexico had to suffer restrictions like those in the late 1920′s but many citizens rose up in arms against the government and eventually regained in practice (though not quite in the law) the right to express our faith publicly. Aside from prayer, we Catholics need to be ready to fight for our rights, but we are too afraid to give up our earthly comforts.