Christians discriminated against, senior bishops warn

[cory777]

Source: BBC

Senior Church of England Bishops have accused the government of discriminating against Christians while treating other faiths more leniently.

In a letter to the Sunday Telegraph, they claim traditional Christian beliefs are being sidelined.

They highlight the case of an NHS nurse who was moved from front-line duties after refusing to remove her cross.

The government said it was committed to valuing the contribution Christians made within British society.

Read more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/8591331.stm

[mwb970]

1. So the "War On Christians" has hit the UK! /nt

[struggle4progress]

2. Here's a link to the letter in the Telegraph.

The religious rights of Christians are treated with disrespect
Published: 6:01AM BST 28 Mar 2010
SIR – ... Shirley Chaplin, will take the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Trust to the Exeter Employment Tribunal ... This .. nurse .. was told .. to remove from her neck a cross ... She has worn the cross every day since her confirmation ... The uniform policy of the NHS trust permits exemptions for religious clothing ...
<snip>
Most Rev Lord Carey of Clifton
Former Archbishop of Canterbury
Rt Rev Michael Scott-Joynt
Bishop of Winchester
Rt Rev Michael Nazir-Ali
Former Bishop of Rochester
Rt Rev Peter Forster
Bishop of Chester
Rt Rev Anthony Priddis
Bishop of Hereford
Rt Revd Nicholas Reade
Bishop of Blackburn
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/letters/7528487/The-religious-rights-of-Christians-are-treated-with-disrespect.html

Employment Tribunal For Nurse In Crucifix Row
11:48am UK, Sunday March 28, 2010
Kat Higgins, Sky News Online
... Mrs Chaplin had worked on the infection and isolation ward caring for the elderly but has now been given an administration role ... Speaking last September Mrs Chaplin said: "For about 30 years I have worked in the NHS and nursed patients day and night and on no occasion has my cross caused me or anyone else any injury ...
http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/UK-News/Nurse-Shirley-Chaplin-Goes-To-Employment-Tribunal-Over-Crucifix-Necklace-Row-With-Devon-Hospital/Article/201003415586095?f=rss

Christian nurse removed from frontline duty for wearing cross necklace
By DAILY MAIL REPORTER
Last updated at 12:02 AM on 21st September 2009
... Shirley Chaplin said she believed The Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Trust Hospital was trying to prevent her from expressing religious beliefs. But the trust said the policy had nothing to do with the crucifix specifically, and was motivated by health and safety concerns about patients grabbing necklaces ... The Trust said necklaces of all kinds were banned but admitted there may have been 'lapses' ...The hospital trust said today that necklaces were banned as there was a small risk that confused patients could grab them and cause injury. The policy was nothing to do with the cross itself which could be worn inside (not outside) her lapel - an option Mrs Chaplin was free to take up ...
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1214806/Christian-nurse-accuses-hospital-discrimination-removed-frontline-duty-wearing-cross-necklace.html

[MineralMan]

3. When I examine claims of discrimination against Christians,

what I usually find is that they're complaining that "non-Christians" are being treated just as well as Christians are. That's discrimination, in their minds, because they're entitled to better treatment than those filthy heathens and atheists...especially the dark-skinned ones, you know. Sons of Ham, you see. Pip pip, wink wink, nudge nudge.

[onager]

4. Yep. Happy Palm (face) Sunday.

From the local Fundamentalist Atheist...

:hi:

[darkstar3]

6. Exactly. n/t

[piratefish08]

5. HELP HELP - I'm being repressed!!!