All cases
Equality Act 2010 Causes Closure of Christian Businesses
May 21, 2013, United KingdomThe Equality Act 2010 prohibits discrimination on several grounds, including sexual orientation, in the area of the provision of goods and services. While there is a vital exemption to the general prohibition against discrimination for religious organisations when providing goods or services, this can only be relied upon in limited circumstances and is not wide enough to cover many situations.
(Northern Ireland) Printing Firm to be Sued for Refusing to Print Gay Magazine
April 5, 2013, United KingdomThe Christian owner of a printing firm in Northern Ireland faced being hauled to court over his refusal to print a gay magazine. Nick Williamson says printing the material would go against his religious beliefs. But the editor of MyGayZine, Danny Toner, approached a solicitor and referred the matter to the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland.
Christian Counsellors Freedom of Conscience Trumped by Rights of Homosexuals
January 15, 2013, United KingdomThe rights of homosexual couples trumped those of Christians, according to a ruling of the Employment Appeal Tribunal. The European Court of Human Rights dismissed the Christian applicant Gary McFarlane and left the balancing out of rights to national appreciation.
Registrar’s Wish Not to Register Homosexual Unions Rejected
January 15, 2013, United KingdomLillian Ladele, a Christian registrar, was disciplined because of her stance on civil partnerships. The European Court of Human Rights dismissed Ladele’s application on January 15th, 2013 and left the balancing out of rights to the national authorities.
New Legislation on Gay Marriage Might Get Teachers Fired
November 18, 2012, United KingdomThe British Parliamentary Undersecretary of State, Liz Truss, states she was not able to rule out the possibility that teachers refusing to use stories or textbooks favoring same sex- marriage face disciplinary consequences.
Christian B&B Owners Fined for Denying a Room to a Homosexual Couple
October 22, 2012, United KingdomChristian bed and breakfast owners Mike and Susanne Wilkinson lost a lawsuit on their married-couples-only policy and were fined over 3.500 pounds for denying a double room to a homosexual couple. The Wilkinson's Bed&Breakfast is located in their own house where they live with their children. The courts apply a "zero tolerance" policy on grounds of "unlawful discrimination".
Pharmacists' Freedom of Conscience Uncertain
September 19, 2012, GermanyWhile the law does not protect the freedom of conscience for German pharmacists, a letter from the ministry, dated 1986 upholds it. Legally, the letter is not binding. The uncertainty of whether this letter would be followed by today’s courts constitutes a difficulty in the ethical considerations and the freedom of acting according to one’s conscience of pharmacists in Germany.
Teachers and Others Threatened With Dismissal if They Didn’t Endorse Gay Marriage
September 12, 2012, United KingdomIf gay marriage is legalized, teachers and others could be forced out of their jobs if they fail to endorse such unions, a top lawyer says. Parents would have no right to insist that their children are withdrawn from school lessons across the curriculum that approve of same-sex marriage. Chaplains who work in the NHS or the Armed Forces could be dismissed if they preach that marriage is between a man and a woman.
Party Proposes Explicit Ban of Conscientious Objection for Registrars with regard to Gay Marriage
July 4, 2012, NetherlandsThe liberal party VVD (Volkspartij voor Vrijheid en Democratie) tabled a proposal in the second chamber of the parliament to prohibit the use of conscientious objection for registrars with regard to conducting gay marriages. There seems to be a majority in the parliament to support this proposal. The topic is expected to be debated until the end of the year 2012.
Legislative Proposal Seeks to Limit Conscientious Objection for Registrars
July 4, 2012, NetherlandsOn the 4th of July 2012 an amendment of the law on public officers was proposed by the members Koser Kaya and Van Hijum to the Dutch Parliament: It calls for the dismissal of registrars for marriages, births and deaths who refuse to perform same-sex marriages on conscientious grounds - if not sufficient other tasks could be found for him or her. The proposal also seeks to establish a mandatory training of students studying to be a registrar on performing same-sex marriages.
Danish Church Obliged to Perform Same Sex ‘Marriages’
June 15, 2012, DenmarkThe Evangelical Lutheran Church is forced to marry same sex couples after vote of Danish Parliament.
Conscientious Objection Loses Ground
May 24, 2012, FranceMedical Student, Carolin, 24: “I had to do an internship in a gynecology department, and I can tell you that when there is only one nurse for the whole department, you better forget about your conscientious objection.”
(Scotland) No Right to Conscientious Objection for Midwives
February 29, 2012, United KingdomIn January 2012, Scotland's largest health board was taken to court by two Catholic nurses from Southern General Hospital in Glasgow, Mary Doogan and Connie Wood, who were denied conscientious objection with regard to abortion procedures. Judgment was handed down on February 29th: the midwives have been told that they must accept the decision of their hospital management and that they must oversee other midwives performing abortions. In January 2013, they took the case to the European Court of Human Rights. The UK supreme court upheld the judgement in December 2014.
Pharmacists' Objection of Conscience Still Curtailed
February 29, 2012, Czech RepublicAn improvement of the national health service law in February 2012 did not fully grant conscientious objection to pharmacists: The law still compels the objecting pharmacists to find a willing employee of the same pharmacy or another pharmacist to sell the "morning-after-pill".
Spanish Bioethicist Calls for Black-List of Conscientious Objectors
February 13, 2012, SpainMaria Casado, who holds the UNESCO Chair of Bioethics at the University of Barcelona calls for a national registry of doctors who will not perform abortions, in order to “improve” women’s access to “pregnancy termination.”
Roman Catholic Firemen Disciplined for Refusal to Attend Rally Which Mocked their Faith
January 21, 2012, United KingdomA group of nine firemen from Glasgow, including several Roman Catholics, were disciplined by their employers for refusing to march in a ‘gay pride’ rally. Strathclyde Fire Board apologized after legal steps were taken.
Mayor Who Criticised Halloween Punished
January 11, 2012, United KingdomA church-going former mayor in Warwickshire who declined to take part in a Halloween event has been found in breach of equality rules for upsetting pagans.
No Conscientious Objection for Pharmacists Selling Abortion Pill
January 10, 2012, FranceFrench pharmacists are required by law to sell the „morning after pill“ which causes an early abortion. The absence of conscientious objection is a violation of freedom of religion and conscience.
"Occupy Rome" Activists Destroyed Sacred Icons During Demonstration
October 15, 2011, ItalyA group of youth who were marching as part of the anti-capitalist movement "Occupy Rome", detoured from the main stream of the parade, and made their way into Saints Marcellino and Pietro Parish, located between Labicana and Merulana streets. The youth, with their heads covered and handing sticks, broke into the parish house and took the statue of the Immaculate Conception and a crucifix. They carried the sacred icons outside the parish premises to the street, where both were destroyed and the debriefs left on the street.
Ongoing Outside Pressure on Ireland to Legalize Abortion
October 11, 2011, InternationalAt a UN meeting, delegates from Britain, Denmark, Spain and other countries called for Ireland to legalize abortion - with Denmark calling for legislation to allow for abortion on demand, constituting pressure seeking to undermine the Christian convictions of the majority of the Irish population.
Doctors Should Refer Patients for Euthanasia: New Dutch Guidelines
September 8, 2011, NetherlandsAccording to new guidelines from the Dutch national doctors association, doctors with moral objections to euthanasia have “a moral and professional duty” to refer patients to another doctor willing to euthanize them.
US Officials Call Catholic Church Source of Spreading “Homophobia” in Poland
September 6, 2011, InternationalAmerican embassy officials under the Obama administration complained that the Catholic Church teaching is a major source of “homophobia” in the heavily Catholic country, according to private cables published by Wikileaks.
Hospital Attempted to Force Christian Nurses to Commit Abortions and Backs Down
August 15, 2011, United KingdomA hospital in London that recently attempted to force two Christian nurses to commit abortions has backed down after legal threats using the Equality Act to protect the nurses pro-life beliefs.
New Guidelines from the General Pharmaceutical Council Threaten Freedom of Conscience
August 15, 2011, United KingdomNew guidelines issued by the UK pharmaceutical regulatory board tends towards stripping pharmacists of their right to conscientious objection with regard to refusing the sale of the morning-after pill, an abortive device.
Catholic Care Forced to Close or Allow Gay Adoption after Tribunal Decision
August 9, 2011, United KingdomOn May 31st, 2011, Catholic Care of the Diocese of Leeds has applied for leave to appeal the latest decision against it in the long-running case sparked by the Charity Commission’s refusal to allow it to prevent gay couples from using its adoption service. The appeal was granted in August 2011.
Christian-Inspired Polish Abortion Law Targeted by International Institutions
June 3, 2011, InternationalPoland's life-protecting abortion law, which is inspired by its strong Christian identity, is under attack by international and supranational bodies. This disrespect of national sovereignty targets Christian aspects and is therefore a case of intolerance against Christians in the area of morals.
Conscientious Objection in Peril for Amsterdam Marriage Commissioners
June 2, 2011, NetherlandsMarriage commissioners in a district of Amsterdam will be forced to undergo annual evaluations to ensure they support same-sex “marriage” after revelations that two commissioners had refused to officiate at the ceremonies. Since 2007, the government in Amsterdam’s Nieuw-West district has only employed commissioners who agree to perform same-sex “marriages,” and officials apparently believed the district was free of “conscientious objectors.”
Christian Counsellor Suspended For Reparative Therapy Suggestion
May 31, 2011, United Kingdom(ongoing) Lesley Pilkington was suspended by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (“BACP”) for giving therapy to a homosexual man (an under-cover freelance journalist) who pretended to be a Christian wishing to stop practicing homosexuality. A key witness has been threatened by homosexual activists, causing hearing to be adjourned.
Parliament Votes to Campaign to Force Health Professionals to Perform Abortions in the Council of Europe Member States
May 11, 2011, SwedenThe Swedish Parliament voted to campaign against a European resolution, which reiterates the right to conscientious objection for health professionals who do not want to perform abortions.
Medical Doctor Denied the Right to Conscientious Objection by Court
April 19, 2011, SpainA Spanish general practitioner from Antequera who opposes abortion was denied the right to claim conscientious objection in cases of abortion. The MD argues that his beliefs conflict with abortion advice or referral to women seeking pregnancy termination.
German Mother Jailed for Refusing Government Sex-Ed
March 31, 2011, GermanyIrene Wiens, mother of twelve, served a 43-day jail sentence in Germany for refusing to enroll her children in sex-ed classes, deemed by her husband and herself to teach a permissive view of human sexuality. An appeal to the European Court of Human Rights has been filed.
Pharmacy Does Not Sell “Morning-After-Pill” - Windows Shattered
March 8, 2011, GermanyThe windows of a pharmacy in Berlin’s Neukölln district were shattered because the owner does not sell the so called “morning-after-pill” due to his catholic convictions.
Government Requires Foster Parents to Affirm Homosexuality Rules UK High Court
February 28, 2011, United KingdomExperienced foster parents lose rights to foster due to religious beliefs on homosexuality. Appeal to High Court lost.
Doctor Must Provide Fertility Treatment Without Regard to Conscientious Objection
December 30, 2010, IrelandDr Boyle runs a fertility treatment service along Catholic guidelines at Galway clinic, which is a Catholic hospital. He was summoned before the Fitness to Practice Committee of the Medical Council in 2010 because he would not accept a cohabiting couple for treatment because of his belief on traditional marriage.
Conservative Party Councillor Gets Suspended After Objecting Gay Talks in a School
November 25, 2010, United KingdomA conservative party councillor in Bristol has been “voluntarily suspended” and asked by the party to meet with homosexualist activists after he objected to appearances by a homosexualist campaigner and actor, Sir Ian McKellen, at local schools.
Mother Denied to Bury her Executed Son According to her Christian Faith
October 12, 2010, BelarusMother of an executed prisoner cannot pray at her son's tomb. It is unclear whether he had seen a priest before execution.
MP McCafferty Attempted to Restrict Freedom of Religion and Conscience
October 7, 2010, European Institutions (EU, ECHR, et.al.)Former British MP Christine McCafferty urged the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe to recommend limitations to conscientious objection when it comes to abortion. The draft report contained a limitation of freedom of conscience to individuals. Objecting individuals would have faced restrictions and blacklisting. The draft, aiming at discriminating against Christians, was voted down on October 7th.
Severe Restriction on Conscientious Objection
September 28, 2010, SpainAdministration interprets freedom of conscience so narrowly that only those directly involved in the objected surgical act of abortion are allowed to invoke the right to "conscientious objection".
Conscience Rights of Health Care Workers Violated
July 28, 2010, SpainSpain’s government is systematically violating the conscience rights of health care workers on abortion, says a group of legal experts that is now taking action to restore those rights.
Lower House of Irish Government Passes Civil Partnership Bill
July 5, 2010, IrelandLead politicians backing the bill refuse to allow a conscience clause; opposition parties claim that the objections of Christians are being ignored.
28-Year-Old Postal Employee Dismissed For Refusing to Distribute Sex-Flyers
April 21, 2010, SwitzerlandThe postal worker Emmanuel N. was fired because he refused to distribute erotic flyers on the grounds of his Christian faith.
Parents Arrested After Refusing Their Children's Participation in a Sex Ed Play
April 8, 2010, GermanyChristian parents arrested and imprisoned up to 40 days when they refused to allow their children to participate in a mandatory sexual education program.
New Educational Program Spreads Secularist Ideas: 55.000 Parents Opt Out
April 1, 2010, Spain375 Christian parents lodge complaint with European Court of Human Rights as the mandatory school curriculum is antithetical to their moral convictions. After five years of public debate and much engagement on the side of the parents, the subject was abolished on Jan 31, 2012.
Obligatory Classes Offending Christian Parents at ECtHR
March 25, 2010, European Institutions (EU, ECHR, et.al.)Over 300 parents and children filed a lawsuit with the European Court of Human Rights on the grounds that Spain’s compulsory “Education in Citizenship” classes promote sexual promiscuity and abortion and provide materials that mock Christianity. In 2012, the Spanish government stopped the programme.
Mother Jailed Upon Taking Son Out of Sex Ed
February 17, 2010, GermanyA mother of eight was detained on February 17th to spend eight days in a prison. She had refused to send her nine-year-old-son to school on grounds of her objection to sex education.
Catholic Foster Care Forced to Close due to Bill on Gay Marriage
February 1, 2010, United StatesCatholic Charities in the Archdiocese of Washington has ended its foster-care program and will end its adoption program as well. At issue was the right of the archdiocese to reject gay marriage and remain a city contractor; a bill legalizing same-sex marriage recently passed in the District.
Report Published: 84 Pages of Incidents of Marginalisation of Christians
December 31, 2009, United KingdomThe Christian Institute published a report called "Marginalising Christians", cataloguing numerous cases of Christians being sidelined by public bodies, popular media, employers and facing barriers to public funding.
Judge Suspended and Fined for Delaying Adoption in a case of Homosexual Parents
October 30, 2009, SpainJudge Fernando Calamita sentenced to 10 years of occupational ban and fined for delaying the adoption of a little girl by the lesbian partner of her mother as a form of conscientious objection.
Civil Partnership Bill Passed to Committee Stage, Threatening Freedom of Conscience for Christians
June 26, 2009, IrelandA new Irish initiative that would grant rights to homosexual couples contains no conscience clause and lays out fines and potential prison sentences for registrars who refuse to carry out same-sex civil partnerships. Concerns from church leaders disregarded as Bill passes Second Stage consideration.
(Academic Community) Liberal Harvard Scholar in Public Cross-Fire for Agreeing with Pope
March 29, 2009, InternationalLiberal Harvard scholar Edward Green strongly attacked in public for agreeing with Pope in saying that the distribution of condoms will not prevent the spread of HIV/Aids.