Demotion and 40% Pay Cut After Critizing Gay Marriage on Facebook
Adrian Smith (Christian, 54, father of two) of Manchester was demoted by his employer Trafford Council and Trafford Housing Trust after making a comment regarding the controversial plans of the ministers that could allow same-sex couples by law to „marry“ in Church although the Church of England refuses to participate.
On his personal profile, only visible to his facebook friends, he stated: „I don’t understand why people who have no faith and don’t believe in Christ would want to get hitched in church. The bible is quite specific that marriage is for men and women. if the state wants to offer civil marriage to same sex then that is up to state; but they shouldn’t impose its rules on places of faith and conscience“ Smith was found guilty of „gross misconduct“ and after a disciplinary hearing, he had to leave his £35,000-a-year managerial job to a senior £21,000 post. Sources: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2052319/Adrian-Smith-demoted-backing-gay-marriage-criticising-new-law-Facebook.html?printingPage=true http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2052619/Christian-faces-losing-home-opposing-gay-weddings-churches.html?ito=feeds-newsxm http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/earthnews/8844445/Christian-demoted-for-views-on-gay-weddings.html http://www.theway.co.uk/feature.phpFurther news coverage:
<http://christianconcern.us2.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=bed173cc9adfcad1e0e442a35&id=c0f9c766b2&e=a59750ecce>In a shocking case of anti-Christian discrimination, a public sector employee in Manchester has been disciplined after he posted comments on his private Facebook page affirming his belief that marriage is between a man and a woman and questioning the idea of homosexual ‘marriages’ taking place in a church. <http://christianconcern.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=bed173cc9adfcad1e0e442a35&id=631b6073ab&e=a59750ecce>
Christian Institute: Christian hit with 40% pay cut over facebook comments <http://christianconcern.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=bed173cc9adfcad1e0e442a35&id=90b727fc3b&e=a59750ecce>
Daily Mail: Christian faces losing home for opposing gay weddings in churches <http://christianconcern.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=bed173cc9adfcad1e0e442a35&id=c8f2cd92a3&e=a59750ecce>
Daily Telegraph: Christian demoted for views on gay weddings <http://christianconcern.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=bed173cc9adfcad1e0e442a35&id=f3b5d4b250&e=a59750ecce>
Catholic Herald: Adrian Smith is a role model for modern Britain’s persecuted Christians <http://christianconcern.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=bed173cc9adfcad1e0e442a35&id=e3c3f161d8&e=a59750ecce>
Daily Mail: Demoted for not backing gay marriage: housing manager's pay slashed for criticising new law on Facebook <http://christianconcern.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=bed173cc9adfcad1e0e442a35&id=99ecb12470&e=a59750ecce>
Daily Telegraph (blog): Notebook: it’s a brave soul who admits to being Christian <http://christianconcern.us2.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=bed173cc9adfcad1e0e442a35&id=8cefc0da0e&e=a59750ecce>
Bolton News: Adrian demoted for gay marriage debate on Facebook <http://christianconcern.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=bed173cc9adfcad1e0e442a35&id=2915deac9a&e=a59750ecce>
BBC News: Man demoted over gay marriage Facebook post sues employer <http://christianconcern.us2.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=bed173cc9adfcad1e0e442a35&id=b91442385d&e=a59750ecce>
LifeSiteNews: Government officials the new witchfinders in hate crime-obsessed Britain: legal expert <http://christianconcern.us2.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=bed173cc9adfcad1e0e442a35&id=77b282a6ae&e=a59750ecce>
Update on March 23rd, 2012:
Judge Charles Khan at Manchester County Court has stopped Adrian Smith from using human rights arguments in his legal case against his employer. Mr Smith’s legal case against his employer can still proceed, but the judge’s ruling means that he cannot rely on human rights. He will continue to argue that his employer is in breach of contract. The case is likely to be heard in the summer. A spokesman for the Christian Institute, which is supporting Mr Smith, said: “This ruling, while not fatal to Mr Smith’s case, is deeply concerning. It reinforces the widely-held perception that Christians are not afforded the same human rights as others. If the shoe were on the other foot, if an employee had been disciplined for advocating gay marriage, it is inconceivable that human rights arguments wouldn’t apply. This ruling is particularly relevant at the present time, as the Government is planning to redefine marriage. Many people who believe in traditional marriage are worried that they will be penalized for their beliefs.” Andrea Minichiello Williams, CEO of Christian Concern, commented: “This ruling highlights the continuing reluctance of the judiciary to recognise and uphold the rights of Christians to express their beliefs freely. It also confirms the suspicions of many that the introduction of same-sex ‘marriage’ will deeply damage freedom of speech and freedom of belief in this nation.” Sources: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/gay-marriage-no-human-rights-for-demoted-christian/? http://www.christianconcern.com/our-concerns/sexual-orientation/demoted-christian-denied-human-rights-in-same-sex-%E2%80%98marriage%E2%80%99-case