Banning the cross at work is an 'attack' on the Christian faith
by Nigel Farage
The case of four Christians who have taken cases to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg has provided us with one of the most extraordinary sights: that of Counsel for the United Kingdom attacking the right of people to wear an outward assertion of their faith at work. Nadia Eweida, a British Airways worker from Twickenham in south west London, was sent home in 2006 after refusing to remove a necklace with a cross or hide it from view.
An employment tribunal ruled Eweida, a Coptic Christian originally from Egypt, had not suffered religious discrimination but the airline changed its uniform policy after the case to allow all religious symbols, including crosses. Nurse Shirley Chaplin, from Exeter, was moved to a paperwork role by the Royal Devon and Exeter National Health Service Trust, in Devon, after refusing to remove a necklace bearing a crucifix.
People in these islands have been wearing crosses to evince their faith on and off since the third century AD, when Christianity was first practised here in Roman times. Though some wear a cross as an accessory, to the vast majority of those who wear a modest crucifix either around the neck or as a lapel badge - it is no more than a small and discreet statement to the world that the wearer is a practising Christian. For those of faith and those of no faith, it is part and parcel of our British culture and as such part of the fabric of the British nation.
In reality, it is no more and no less than the exercise of the right of freedom of expression. If the right of employers to forbid such acts of expression is upheld, where will it end? Will it be in order to forbid those who wear charity wristbands from such a display? Will employees wearing lapel pins indicating membership of, say, a political party or a trades union - or their former regiment - be similarly forbidden? Yet, now wearing a crucifix is to become the object of state intolerance.
The British government's solution is also bizarre: 'If you do not like this proscription, resign and find another job.' That is a very high price to have to pay for exercising the right of freedom of expression, especially in an era when at least three million people are unemployed. Many will say that this is yet another manifestation of a deeply disturbing trend of official intolerance of the Christian religion. One is bound to wonder if the government would tell the European Court of Human Rights that it is in order for employers to forbid a Jew from wearing a yarmulke at work?
It is deplorable - the banning of anyone who wishes discreetly to wear some device, which they have chosen to say something to the world about their identity and who they are. It is bizarre that it appears to be a singular desire of the British state - whose established religion is, after all, Christianity and whose monrach is the Governor of the Church of England - to efface from public life any outward expression of faith; particularly the Christian faith.
As a party, we will campaign against this fundamentally illiberal and oppressive stance on the part of the government. British Prime Minister David Cameron meanwhile has said he is in favour of ensuring people can wear crucifixes at work. It looks like he did not mean it. As PM, he could show leadership on this issue and instruct ministers not to oppose these cases. Once again, we discover that Cameron is not a man who always delivers on his word.
Nigel Farage MEP is leader of the United Kingdom Independence Party
UKIP seems to be a party filled with anti-women sentient - it is a one man band and it is all about Nigel Farage, or so it seems, claims Labour Party MEP Mary Honeyball
That's a surprise. I would have expected Mr Farage to defend the right of British employers to establish dress codes without intrusion from the continent.
Martin Holterman - Italy
I doubt they would ban the cross here in Iceland, although we have adopted part of EU law against our will. The cross has been part of the culture since the year 1000AD to be exact. The British should get the hell out of this EU club, like our president said during a meeting with Brussels people. It is obvious what Brussel aims to do now, in its hope to gain eternal power.
Valdimar - Iceland
Human rights don't cater for the British (considering we thought it up in the first place).
No name supplied
My son who had a Saturday job in early 1980s, while still at school, was told not to wear his poppy by the manager of a well known supermarket. At the time, my son was an air cadet. He stood his ground and told the manager that he would not comply, and carried on wearing it - going on to serve 12 years in the R.A.F and going through the first Gulf war. I am pleased that a 16 year old lad showed what the British people hold dear - and that we will not be intimidated or enslaved. We shall carry on living in freedom.
Linda Hudson - Washington, UK, UKIP
Like Martin, I'm confused. This strikes me as quite a socialist stance from a man/party I support for a libertarian attitude. As much as I agree that the courts shouldn't support a ban, I get the impression that Farage supports state intervention to protect the right to wear what you want to work.
No name given
I find this all absolutely appaling. How anyone could take offence to a cross and chain is just bewildering? I am not a deeply religious person but do have my own beliefs, the main one being that all people should be treated equally.
How could it even be considered that Christians could be banned from wearing a small symbol around their necks when other religions show much more prominent signs of their faith with active encouragement? For example, the Turban or the Burkah. Or are these symbols next on the attack list?
Liz - Merseyside
If the cross is banned at work, then companies who follow this ruling should not fly the Union Flag - as this is a Christian religious symbol too.
Anonymous
We say get a cross tattoo in the same place where it can be seen or get a badge sown on to your collar. Join our campaign and pass the word on.
Anonymous identity
Confusion why? Dress code is not the issue. Freedom of expression and speech of the individual versus the state or corporacy is. I believe Nigel Farrage is the straightest talking, no nonsense, thankfully clear and concise in both his frequently blunt presentation of actual facts. He is non-PC (not gagged) and is the most inspiring politician I have witnessed in the 50 plus years of my life.
I hope he and his party continue to grow in strength, if only to break the one-party politicians (they, them and theirs with the three alleged leaders). Farage and his party can reclaim and defend this once great nation's autonomy and freedom for our granchildren, just as my parents did last time an unelected force tried to invade and rule us. Wake up UK before it's all gone
No I am not a member of UKIP. Yet. Lump it or like it, Heath lied and stole my fathers and my vote on the EEC. No one has ever voted for the EU, it's grown like a cancer
Grumpyodefox - England
Just a quick thought, if the expression to wear a cross where it can be seen is allowed. What about a Muslim woman being allowed to wear a hajib? Both may be an expression of faith but one may be used as a disguise to hide behind as well.
Jim - USA
Well, I for one will wear my cross with pride and if that doesn't work - then i will have a tattoo of the cross on both my hands. Then let the government tell me to hide my cross. i will never take off or hide my cross for any government or EU laws. I am not ashamed of being a Christian.
Billy - Scunthorpe
They should ban religions because they are very bad for humans.
Dax47 - Romania
I am a Christian, but I do not wear a cross, However, if such persecution continues - I shall break my rule and wear a small, discreet, but noticeable cross. David Cameron doesn't not seem to know the right thing to do on this and many other issues.
Dr Donald Stevens - Bournemouth
It is said that in the last days, Christ's followers would be persecuted and punished for displaying their support for him. So it is happening now. At least we know therefore what is to come and government is in for one heck of a shock when the Last Trump sounds.
rcd - UK
