Recently I spoke of the work of the Gideons, but there is a little known proposed Equality Law from the EU that could put the placing of Bibles in places like hotels and hospitals in jeopardy. This legislation could open the way for atheists to sue organisations that display religious symbols in their buildings.
The law could affect any organisation which offers public services such as hospitals, charities, businesses and prisons. The legislation is also designed to allow Christians to take legal action if they see material which would be offensive to them. Although such laws already have effect in the workplace, the EU is now attempting to extend the legislation to the providers of goods and services.
The Church of England has spoken against the legislation, warning that it could lead to hospices and homeless charities facing legal action if people took offence at religious symbols such as the cross, or religious practices like saying grace before eating.
The proposals are so broad that critics say they could lead to a spate of civil cases by anyone claiming their dignity has been violated by the ‘hostile environment’ of an organisation
The proposals, which go before EU governments for approval later this year, are part of a new directive outlawing discrimination by businesses on the grounds of sexual orientation, age, disability or belief.
If approved, it will become the latest in a swathe of European-inspired equality laws which critics say stifle freedom of expression.
In 2005 the UK Government proposed similar legislation but dropped it after a resounding rejection by the House of Lords. Peers feared it would encourage politically correct officials to stop public expressions of religion, such as carol services or Bibles by hospital bedsides.
It is yet to be seen if the law will be passed, but with a BA employee being suspended for wearing a cross and a nurse suffering the same fate for offering to pray for one of her patients, fears of politically correct officials can not be overstated should it come to pass.
Tags: Social Justice