Kirk: Free-speech lessons for UK, say teachers
en staff
Christian teachers in the UK say the assassination of Charlie Kirk in the United States has powerful lessons for this country.
In a blog on its website, the Association of Christian Teachers (ACT) says: “The shocking assassination of Charlie Kirk, a high-profile advocate for open dialogue, has once again brought the issue of free speech into sharp focus. While his work was centred in the United States, his assassination is a chilling reminder to all of us – especially in the West – that words and ideas are increasingly treated as dangerous in themselves – and that the cost of defending them can be devastating.
Report calls for new Freedom of Religion Act
Nicola Laver
An in-depth report on abortion buffer zones says there are serious issues around freedom of belief, religion and speech.
The report also concludes that “a pro-abortion worldview has in effect been legally prioritised and protected from any form of criticism” and calls for the government to introduce a Freedom of Religion Act.
Christian theology lecturer appeals ruling
Nicola Laver
Theology lecturer Dr Aaron Edwards, who was dismissed from Cliff College, Derbyshire after tweeting his Christian views on sexuality, is to appeal a ruling refusing his unfair dismissal, harassment and discrimination claims.
An employment tribunal found the college had been ‘reasonable’ and ‘justified’ in its actions and that Edwards’ rights to freedom of religion had not been engaged. Andrea Williams of the Christian Legal Centre, which is supporting Edwards, said the judge ‘has simply not engaged with the substance of this case. Aaron was sacked because he challenged the church to uphold God’s teaching on human sexuality.’
Crosses, cakes and challah bread in the courtroom
Two recent court judgements have shown that, although the tide has not completely turned for hard-line LGBT advocacy groups, it may well have reached its high-water mark. Job 38:11 comes to mind: ‘This far you may come and no farther; here is where your proud waves halt?’
A little while ago, an employment tribunal ruled that a London NHS Trust had ‘directly discriminated against and harassed’ a Catholic nurse, Mary Onuoha, who was forced to resign after refusing to remove her necklace bearing a small cross.