All cases
Christian parents fear 'gender-confused' daughter will be taken away
October 23, 2016, United KingdomChristian parents fear their 14-year-old daughter will be taken into foster care unless they allow her to change her female name to a male one.
Armed Police Patrol Canterbury Cathedral
September 29, 2016, United KingdomPolice with guns patrol Canterbury Cathedral due to concerns about terror attacks. The extra security is in response to a series of jihadist attacks across Europe, including the murder of French priest, Father Jacques Hamel.
Humanist Society Scotland Challenges Parental Opt-Out for Religious Observance in Schools; wants Children to Decide
September 12, 2016, United KingdomThe Humanist Society Scotland (HSS) is seeking judicial review after the Scottish Government rejected calls for a change to the current rules which permit only parents to opt out on their children’s behalf.
Security Guidance Sent to UK Churches after Murder of French Priest
August 31, 2016, United KingdomThe organization National Churchwatch issued a new security guidance to every church in the UK in the wake of the murder of French priest Jacques Hamel by Islamist terrorists.
Nurse Fired for Talking about Faith with Patients
August 31, 2016, United KingdomA Christian nurse was fired for "gross misconduct" by the NHS for talking to her patients about her faith and occasionally offering prayer to help them prepare for surgery. Part of her job was to help patients complete a questionnaire, which included a question about religion.
Parliamentary Inquiry Finds UK Doctors Risk Losing Jobs For Refusing To Perform Abortion
July 21, 2016, United KingdomBritish pro-life doctors and nurses face hostility, loss of advancement, and pressure to perform or refer for abortions despite legislation guaranteeing their right to conscientiously object, according to a parliamentary inquiry.
Street Preacher Arrested for Hate Crime for Quoting Bible to Gay Teenager
July 17, 2016, United KingdomGordon Larmour, a Christian evangelist, was charged with behaving in a "threatening or abusive manner aggravated by prejudice relating to sexual orientation" and "assault", after he referred to the Book of Genesis and stated that God created Adam and Eve to produce children in response to a 19-year-old's question about God's views on homosexuality. He spent one night in prison. Six months later, a court in Kilmarnock, Scotland acquitted him of all charges.
Co-Workers Found Not Guilty of Religiously Aggravated Offense
June 24, 2016, United KingdomA York jury heard evidence about sustained bullying of a teenage apprentice, a Catholic, by tying him to a cross in a mock crucifixion, among other acts, during a trial. They found the accused guilty of assault, but not guilty of religiously aggravated assault.
Large Pentagram and 666 Painted on Church Graveyard
June 19, 2016, United KingdomA vandal sprayed satanic symbols, a large pentagram, and the number 666 onto the lawn of the graveyard at All Saints Church in Hull, Yorkshire.
Church of England Accused of Discrimination
June 16, 2016, United KingdomThe Church of England has been accused of discriminating against a lesbian couple by refusing to conduct their wedding.
Parliamentary Report Finds Inadequate Assessment of Religion-Based Asylum Claims
June 7, 2016, United KingdomThe All Party Parliamentary Group for International Freedom of Religion or Belief released a 35-page report in which it said the questions used to assess conversion asylum claims demonstrated a "lack of understanding and misperceptions of religion."
Christian Union Banned From Holding Meetings on College Premises
June 7, 2016, United KingdomA Christian union has been banned from holding meetings on college premises, as a result of the government’s counter-terrorism strategy "Prevent".
Television Presenter Calls Christian a "Homophobe"; Receives No Sanctions
April 12, 2016, United KingdomPiers Morgan will not face sanctions after asking a Christian who opposed same-sex marriage whether he was a "homophobe".
Magistrate Removed from Office, Suspended from NHS Trust, for Christian Belief in Traditional Family
March 29, 2016, United KingdomA Christian magistrate Richard Page has been removed from office by the Lord Chancellor after sharing his personal conviction in a media interview that there is not enough evidence to show that placing children in the care of same-sex couples is in their best interest.
Christian Postgraduate Student Expelled for Opposing Gay Marriage
February 27, 2016, United KingdomA Sheffield University social work postgraduate student, Felix Ngole, was expelled from his course for posting on his Facebook page that homosexual activity is against the teaching of the Bible.
Image of St. John the Evangelist Banned from Rochester Train Station
December 27, 2015, United KingdomNetwork Rail, partly funded by taxpayer money, argued it was "overtly Christian" and that it would offend "multi-cultural values".
Proposed UK School Regulations May Put Christian Sunday Schools and Summer Camps at Risk
December 13, 2015, United KingdomPlans for Ofsted to regulate out-of-school settings could burden churches, discourage volunteers and cause unnecessary distress to children, a Conservative MP has warned.
Lord's Prayer Advertisement Produced by JustPray.uk Banned in Cinemas
November 23, 2015, United KingdomThe advertisement shows the Lord’s Prayer being recited by a members of the public ranging from bodybuilders to children.
Christian Convert Violently Attacked Outside His Home
November 17, 2015, United KingdomNissar Hussain, who has helped to promote Christian Concern's Safe Haven initiative to help protect Christians who have converted from Islam, was beaten with a pickaxe handle by two men while on the way to his car in Bradford (United Kingdom).
Public Funds Used for Play Depicting Jesus Christ as Transsexual
November 12, 2015, United KingdomThe Gospel According to Jesus, Queen of Heaven is part of the Outburst Queer Arts Festival in Belfast, and is advertised with the tagline: “Jesus is a transsexual woman. And it is now she walks the earth.”
Proposed Mandatory LGBT Education in Scotland Would Violate Parents' Rights & Put Teachers' Jobs in Jeopardy
November 1, 2015, United KingdomPro-LGBT group Time for Inclusive Education (TIE) has launched a petition demanding that children as young as five learn about homosexual, bisexual and transgender issues, and this week it addressed the Scottish Parliament’s Public Petitions Committee.
Prison Minister Fired for Preaching "Homophobic" Bible Verses
October 31, 2015, United KingdomReverend Barry Trayhorn, volunteering as a chaplain at a prison for sex offenders, recited verses from Corinthians which include homosexuality in a long list of sins, along with adultery, theft and drunkenness during a service.
UPDATE: No Registry for Faith Leaders in Published UK Counter-Extremism Strategy
October 19, 2015, United KingdomAfter a leaked report indicated that the strategy would include the following provision, "pastors, rabbis and other religious leaders will be subject to Government training and security checks and will have to enrol in a 'national register of faith leaders'," the Government's final strategy only calls for "training."
Case update: Christian Punished for Praying with Colleague Allowed to Appeal
October 8, 2015, United KingdomA Christian disciplined by an NHS trust for praying with a colleague has won permission to appeal an employment tribunal’s decision against her.
British "Values Monitor" Says Opposing Homosexuality Could Be a Crime
September 18, 2015, United KingdomVoicing criticism of homosexuality “might be breaking the law”, a British values monitor claimed.
UK Burglars Urinate in Holy Water
September 10, 2015, United KingdomBurglars broke into a Sunderland church, smashed a window (causing more than £1,000 in damage) and used fire extinguishers to try to break down doors. Although nothing was stolen, someone urinated in the holy water font.
UK Schools Watchdog Ignores Bullying of Christian Students
July 30, 2015, United KingdomColin Hart, director of the Christian Institute, has said Ofsted and the Department for Education (DfE) have given “inadequate attention” to the “bullying of Christian pupils”.
Baker Found Guilty After Refusing to Bake Cake Supporting Same-Sex Marriage
May 18, 2015, United KingdomA bakery in Northern Ireland was found guilty of "direct discrimination" after its Christian owner declined to provide a decorated cake with the words 'support gay marriage’. The owner said he could not fulfill the order because it conflicts with his Christian beliefs about marriage.
Street Preacher Fined, Judge Rules on Appropriateness of Bible Verses in Public
March 24, 2015, United KingdomTaunton street preacher Mike Overd has been convicted of a Public Order offence for using a particular bible verse in a public conversation with a man who identifies as homosexual. The judge ruled that another bible verse would have been more appropriate and would have prevented the fine.
Employment Tribunal Hears Christian Educator "Rightly" Dismissed for Faith
March 5, 2015, United KingdomChristian nursery educator, Sarah Mbuyi, was dismissed from her job after "gross misconduct" for saying that marriage is an institution between one man and one woman in conversation with a colleague. In an employment tribunal hearing, witnesses testified that Christian views on the topic should not be expressed in the workplace.
“Christ” and “Jesus” Considered Abusive by Marks & Spencer
March 1, 2015, United KingdomA pastor’s wife order for bouquet of spring flowers was blocked when she had tried to use words: "Thank you for your care and practical help for Margaret in her last days... With love from her church family, Christ Church Teddington". She was confronted with an on-screen warning: “Sorry there’s something in your message we can’t write.”
Pensioner Dismissed from Red Cross After Protesting Same-sex Marriage
November 1, 2014, United Kingdom71-years-old Bryan Barkley was dismissed from the British Red Cross after his one-man protest in front of his church holding a placard saying “No same sex marriage” and “No redefinition of marriage”. His views were found incompatible with the principles of impartiality and neutrality of Red Cross.
Marriage Registrar Dismissed for Refusing to Perform Same-sex Ceremony But Subsequently Reinstated
September 1, 2014, United KingdomA Christian registrar was dismissed for indicating she would not be willing to perform same-sex marriages. Finally, she was reinstated after a successful appeal in which it was ruled that her employer had failed to take a “balanced view” of her religious beliefs.
Travelodge Removes Bibles from Hotel Rooms in Britain
August 15, 2014, United KingdomOne of biggest hotel chains in Britain, Travelodge, has decided to remove Bibles from the hotel rooms to avoid upsetting non-Christians. Travelodge bases its decision on ‘diversity reasons’ and explains that the country has become increasingly multicultural.
(/Northern Ireland) Arson Attack on a Church in North Belfast
July 20, 2014, United KingdomThe Catholic church in Newtownabbey has been a target of several hate crimes already. On July 20th, it was an arson attack. The wooden doors of the church were damaged by flammable liquid.
Northern Ireland Bakery Facing Legal Action For Not Support Gay Marriage
July 7, 2014, United KingdomA bakery is facing legal action for refusing to produce a cake decorated with Sesame Street characters saying ‘support gay marriage’ on grounds of their religious beliefs. While gay marriage is not legal in Northern Ireland, the equality commission demands from the directors of the bakery to „remedy your illegal discrimination“.
Police Advice: Record Christian Street Preacher To Sue Them
June 30, 2014, United KingdomPolice advice people to record a Christian street preacher Mr Michael Overd on a video if he makes offensive remarks as some passers-by in High Street were upset when he expressed his views about homosexuality and sex outside marriage.
Street Evangelist Tried for Talking about the Live of Mohammed in Taunton
June 27, 2014, United KingdomStreet evangelist, Mike Overd, is being prosecuted for an alleged religious aggravation public order offence. The charges followed a complaint to police in Taunton, that Mike Overd made a comparison between the life of Jesus and the life of Mohammed, allegedly "causing offense."
Christian Conscientious Objectors to Morning-After-Pill Barred from Sexual Health Care Diploma
May 1, 2014, United KingdomBritish doctors and nurses who refuse to dispense the morning-after pill on grounds of conscience will be unable to receive a specialist diploma in sexual health care. Guidance issued by the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare states that medical professionals who, for religious reasons, refuse to hand out "emergency" contraception cannot receive the qualification. The diploma is considered to represent the "gold standard" of sexual health care training.
Christian Worker in London Claims She was Fired for Refusing to Read Children’s Books About Gay Couples
April 30, 2014, United KingdomSarah Mbuyi, 30 year-old nursery worker from north London will bring her case to court as she claims she was fired on the grounds of her religious beliefs because she said that she would have scruples about reading children’s stories involving same-sex couples.
Muslim Interrupts Religious Remembrance Ceremony in Alfreton, Derbyshire
April 26, 2014, United KingdomIn Derbyshire, England on the 11th of November, 2013, a 52 year-old Muslim man named Mohamed Dar entered New Life Church in Alfreton as the community was holding a remembrance service for English World War I soldiers. He was shouting "turn to Islam" while wearing a scarf tied over his face and a kind of turban on which was written in Arab, “Allah is great.”
Christian Claims he was Denied a Job at a Country House Hotel near Colchester on Account of His Faith
March 13, 2014, United KingdomGraphic designer Jamie Haxby was interviewed for a job at Prested Hall Hotel near Colchester in the United Kingdom. He says his interviewer, Celie Parker, asked him if he was Christian, to which he answered in the affirmative. On looking through his portfolio and seeing that he had done previous work with churches and Christian groups, she commented that she and other members of staff were atheists and that they could never work with a committed Christian. She is also reported to have apologized for wasting Haxby’s time.
Government Seems to Discriminate Against Religious Education
February 25, 2014, United KingdomThe failure of the government to provide bursaries for those wishing to teach Religious Education (RE) has been described as “rank discrimination” by a leading RE body. Childcare minister Elizabeth Truss MP confirmed this month that no bursaries would be offered for religious education teachers in training this year. This cut in the bursaries has made it increasingly difficult for those studying to teach RE.
Elderly Street Preacher Falsely Arrested and Assaulted by Police
February 11, 2014, United Kingdom73-year-old Bill Edwards was ordered by a police constable to stop preaching outside the Magistrates Court House in Banbury as some people in the building found his preaching “offensive”. He refused to move and was arrested and charged with assault and breach of peace. In the police station Mr Edwards was grabbed by six officers and pinned to the ground.
Scottish Secularists Want to Curb Churches’ Role in Education
January 14, 2014, United KingdomSecularists in Scotland have called on the government to remove religious representatives from education committees. Under the Local Government Act 1973, local authority education committees are required to appoint three representatives from religious organisations and the Edinburgh Secular Society wants to see a change in the law.
Street Preacher Arrested for Mentioning "Sexual Sin" in Scotland
January 8, 2014, United KingdomTony Miano, a street preacher addressing lunchtime shoppers at Dundee High Street, Scotland, was arrested and held in custody to appear before the Dundee Sheriff Court. He was talking about “sexual sin” including “adultery, promiscuity and homosexual practice”. A woman called the police, who on arrival snatched away the camera of a friend who was filming the preaching and arrested the street preacher.
British Gay Couple to Legally Challenge Church for Not Offering Gay Marriage
August 2, 2013, United KingdomA British homosexual couple feels „forced to take Christians into a court to get them to recognise” them. The Marriage Act contains legal provisions to protect churches which chose not to conduct same-sex weddings from being sued.
Street Preacher Arrested For Preaching on Sexual Morality
July 1, 2013, United KingdomThe police arrested a street preacher in Wimbledon under suspicion of offences under the Public Order Act. He had been speaking about sexual immorality in general and the importance to abstain from such practices.
Arrest for Setting Two Churches on Fire
June 27, 2013, United KingdomA young man in Derbyshire, England, was arrested because he is suspected to have set two churches on fire in Allestree and one in Twyford.
(Northern Ireland) Young Business Man Troubled for Not Printing Sexually Explicit Magazine
May 22, 2013, United KingdomMr Williamson from Portadown in Northern Ireland, faces court proceedings for refusing to print materials of a gay magazine. He says the website of MyGayZine contained explicit images, and he wasn’t prepared to print that kind of material whether homosexual or heterosexual.