Christian doctor sacked following prayer e-mail
A Christian doctor is suing his employers for unfair dismissal after being sacked following his sending of a motivational prayer e-mail to colleagues and a Christmas text message to one individual. Dr David Drew’s employers at Walsall Manor Hospital complained that his behaviour was inappropriate after he e-mailed a prayer by St Ignatius Loyola to colleagues for motivation. The employment tribunal in Birmingham heard that his bosses also complained that he sent a Christmas text message to a colleague which read ‘have a peaceful Christmas’. Dr Drew started having problems with his employers after he complained about patient care at Walsall Manor Hospital. He claims that his employers responded to his complaints by accusing him of forcing his religion on colleagues. He was told that unless he agreed to the recommendations and accept them without questioning then he should resign. The hearing continues and is expected to last for three weeks.
Pray: for all involved in this dispute that they will recognise that Dr Drew has not acted inappropriately. (Ps.103:6)
Christian doctor goes to EU Court of Justice
Sheila Matthews, a paediatrician of 18 years, sat on an adoption panel and asked to abstain from voting on whether children should be placed with homosexual couples, due to her Christian beliefs. This resulted in her being dismissed as a medical adviser by Northamptonshire County Council. After a campaign led by Christian Concern she was reinstated in her job yet she was no longer allowed to continue as a full member of the adoption panel.This meant that she lost the opportunity to put vulnerable children in loving homes and her career was restricted. Sheila resigned this March because she felt that she could no longer work somewhere where she was denied the opportunity to fully use her skills. She has effectively been excluded from practising her vocation due to her Christian views. On Wednesday Shelia applied to be heard at the European Court of Justice mounting the legal challenge to determine whether professional medical advice regarding the child’s ‘best interests’ is ‘negated’ by ‘homosexual rights.’ Her case was heard before an Employment Tribunal in Leicester Tuesday. Pray: for the British Isles to adopt the best possible Christian options and practice for children and for religious and professional freedom for Christians in the workplace. (Job 6:29) More: http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2010/nov/10111603.html
Christian demoted for views on gay weddings
Christians are being unfairly treated for expressing their beliefs, campaigners have complained, after a housing manager was demoted for speaking out on gay marriage on his own Facebook page. Adrian Smith, a Christian, posted in his own time a response to a news story on the Government’s plans to allow gay weddings in church. The posting, which was only available to his friends, questioned whether the plans were ‘an equality too far’. Mr Smith said the comments, posted on a page which identified the user as a housing association employee, were against equal opportunities policy. Mr Smith is threatening to take the housing association to court claiming damages equivalent to his lost pay. Mike Judge, a spokesman for the Christian Institute, said it is the latest case of a public servant being targeted for their beliefs.
Pray: for Mr Smith and others like him as they stand up for their faith when challenged. (1Cor.16:13)
More: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/earthnews/8844445/Christian-demoted-for-views-on-gay-weddings.html
Christian chemists 'will be forced out' under new rules
Christian pharmacists fear they could face the sack if they refuse to hand out morning-after pills, under new guidelines issued by a medical regulator. Many pharmacists have conscientious moral objections to dispensing emergency contraception and have in the past refused to do so because the drugs work by preventing a fertilised egg from implanting in the womb. Some chemists and lawyers say the guidance circulated last week by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) effectively strips them of their right to object on religious grounds to handling such drugs. Many Christian, Jewish and Muslim pharmacists object to the drugs. The guidance will also compel pharmacists to make drugs available for IVF, to which some object because of the high numbers of embryos created then destroyed in the process. For the first time under the guidelines, pharmacists are told that their right to conscientious objection on religious grounds is secondary to the contractual demands of employers, such as the NHS.
Pray: for all those who stand up for their faith that God would give them the ability to stand firm. (2Cor.1:21)
Christian charities support Archbishop over payday loans
The Archbishop of Canterbury is warning the payday lender Wonga he plans to force it out of business. He says the Church of England will compete against it, by putting credit unions on its sites. Payday lenders give short-term loans but they come with high interest rates, and are often blamed for leading people into more debt. The Archbishop's comments have received widespread support from within the Christian community. Matthew Reed, Chief Executive of The Children's Society, said: "The Archbishop of Canterbury should be applauded for taking such a bold stance to tackle the scourge of high cost payday loan companies. "Many charge eye-watering rates of interest and drag people into a vicious spiral of debt and despair." John Kirkby the founder of Christians Against Poverty. He told Premier's Marcus Jones on the News Hour it's great to see the Archbishop speaking out.
Pray: for all measures that will bring an end to usery style loans to break the vicious circle of debt. (Ez.22.12)
More: http://www.premier.org.uk/news/current/Christian%20charities%20support%20Archbishop%20over%20payday%20loans.aspx
Christian campaigners still in danger from Lobbying Bill
Fears about restrictions for Christian campaigning have not been eased by Government changes to the controversial Lobbying Bill, critics have warned. The Electoral Commission, the body that will have to enforce the new rules, said that a key Government amendment ‘does not materially reduce the scope of what is covered by the Bill’. Ros Baston, a solicitor specialising in election law, said the Bill still catches issues-based campaigning and some of the amendments actually result in ‘new uncertainties’. Several faith groups, including the Evangelical Alliance, World Jewish Relief, Muslim Council of Britain and others, have raised fears that the Bill could have 'unintended consequences'. An open letter to David Cameron and Nick Clegg warns that the Bill will ‘curtail’ legitimate campaigns. It said: ‘We are concerned that this Bill does not adequately safeguard the activities of religious organisations and that there is a very real risk that non-biased political activity will be captured by the resultant Act.'
Pray: that the concerns shared following the changes to the Bill will be listened to and safeguards accepted. (Pr.12:15)
More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/christian-campaigners-still-in-danger-from-lobbying-bill/