A British-based Christian charity organization dedicated to aiding those with learning disabilities lost the right to control its own hiring practices after an Employee Tribunal ruled that it was “discriminatory.”
In a weekend ruling by the Tribunal of Abergele, North West Wales, the tribunal said that Prospects, a well-known charitable organization, could not require new or existing employees to sign and agree to a “religious ethos” or statement of faith in salvation through Jesus Christ.
Although the statement of faith did not require any standard of behavior in its employees other than to "work within both the Christian ethos and the policies of Prospects,” the tribunal ruled the charity’s statement of faith illegal because of its use of public funding.
The suit against the charity organization was brought after two former employees, Mark Sheridan and Louise Hender, protested the group’s alleged practice of preferential hiring and promotions towards Christian employees.
In a statement, The British Humanist Association (BHA), which helped finance the lawsuit, praised the ruling as a “landmark” decision.
"A clear message has been sent out by this decision: that blanket discrimination in employment policies and practices on grounds of religion or belief is simply unacceptable, and that an instruction to discriminate against someone on the basis of that person's religion or belief will be unlawful,” said BHA Chief Executive Hanne Stinson.
Prospects, however, said that it would try to use all possible means to “consider the appropriateness of the grounds for a possible appeal.”
The recent ruling against Prospects comes on the heels of a case involving Christian Horizons, a Canada-based ministry dedicated to helping disabled children, which was fined $23,000 because of its practice of requiring employees to sign a statement of faith prohibiting homosexual behavior. The hiring policy was ruled discriminatory in April.
Comments
Of course, I was talking about the U.S. in my previous comment. I don't know what the church tax structure is in Londonstan (formerly know as the U.K.) or the People's Republic of Canada.
"Amen ID.... that's absolutely right on. Don't take the govt's cabbage and at least you'll be clean. Taking govt. money gives you govt. control"
I agree and think all churches should immediately stop taking their tax exemptions under IRS Code 501c(3). Not having to pay taxes is also a form of government control. A church cannot speak on important political issues and candidates for election because of fear of violating the IRS Code and losing their tax exemption (money). In other words churches are already controlled by the government through the IRS. Think about it......
Man, articles like this really make me mad. These secularists are a real pain in the you know what.
Although these Christian organizations do use public funds, the funds go 8 times farther because most of all the funds go directly to the need versus organizational expenses. Christian organizations are far more efficient because they have so many volunteers and their employees are paid at just above poverty levels.
You mark my words; in less than 20 years we will se the effects of this spill over and we'll see the Government coming back to us Christians to ask us to do the work because they will realize that they cannot do the same work for the same amount of money. They will be begging us for help and that's when we will have them and we'll put up the 10 commandments in every public square and the Holy Family on every public ground during Christmas!!!
Amen ID.... that's absolutely right on. Don't take the govt's cabbage and at least you'll be clean. Taking govt. money gives you govt. control.
Prospects accepted Caesar's dollar, and therefore, embraced Caesar's rules. The way for us to go as Christians is not to entangle our organizations with Caesar's dollars in the first place, and then we have freedom. I don't like the ruling, don't think it is fair or reasonable, but we do have an option. We can be faithful in our giving and support our Christian churches and organizations ourselves. Then we won't be tempted to apply for government assistance.
I think it is fast becoming time for the Christians of England to begin peaceful resistance of this government abuse. The secular multicultural tyranny in England has crossed the line. Christians throughout the West had best prepare themselves, because this kind of government harassment and abuse is coming to American, soon, bet on it.
It's a Christian organization! Good grief!
satan loves to be in the business of lying. leading many to damnation by accepting 'rights' over Salvation.