Christian Practice to Have Its Day in Court

THE SYDNEY MORNING HERALD: LONDON: The British government will be forced to say whether it supports the rights of Christians to wear the cross and opt out of diversity legislation as part of a landmark legal case.

Judges at the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg have ordered ministers to make a formal statement on whether they believe Christians' rights have been infringed in British courts that have repeatedly dismissed their entitlement to dress and act according to their beliefs.

The court has selected the cases of four applicants it considers to be of such legal significance they should be examined further. Once ministers have responded the court will decide whether to have full hearings.

The cases could lead to a final legal answer on how religious beliefs must be balanced against equality laws designed to prohibit discrimination against minority religions and other groups such as homosexuals. » | David Barrett | Telegraph, London | Monday, June 06, 2011

Christian Electrician Wins Cross Battle
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: A Christian electrician facing the sack over a religious symbol in his van has won his battle to keep the cross on display after his employer backed down, his union claimed last night.

Colin Atkinson, 64, was called to a disciplinary hearing after refusing demands to remove the small palm cross from the dashboard of his company van.

But Wakefield and District Housing (WDH) is understood to have told Mr Atkinson at a confidential meeting that he can continue to display his cross, after he received backing from senior members of the Church and leaders of other faiths.

Lord Carey, the former Archbishop of Canterbury had described the situation as "scandalous" and Mr Atkinson was also supported by Muslim, Sikh and Hindu leaders as well as Housing and Planning Minister Grant Shapps. Read on and comment » | Nick Collins | Friday, April 22, 2011

Meaning of Easter Symbols 'Confused' to Most
BBC: There is growing concern over the commercialisation of Easter and widespread confusion over the meaning of the symbols used to mark the holiday, a survey has found.

Research from Durham University also showed less than 60% of people could name more than three of the Ten Commandments, with most admitting their knowledge of the Bible comes from films.

Gerry Jackson reports. BBC video >>> | Easter Sunday, April 04, 2010

Queen Attends Easter Service at Windsor
BBC: The Queen, Prince Philip, and members of the Royal Family have attended the traditional Easter Sunday service at Windsor Castle.

Afterwards the monarch was handed flowers by young well wishers [sic]. BBC video >>> | Easter Sunday, April 04, 2010

Queen's Trinity Cross Medal Scrapped... Because It's 'Too Christian'
Caribbean storm: The old Trinity Cross (left) is replaced with the Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, which has removed any Christian symbols. Images courtesy of MailOnline
MAIL Online: A medal personally established by the Queen is being withdrawn after it was deemed offensive to Muslims and Hindus.

The honour - known as The Trinity Cross of the Order of Trinity - has been ruled unlawful and too Christian.

It has been awarded to 62 distinguished residents of the former colony of Trinidad and Tobago over more than 40 years, including cricketers Brian Lara and Garfield Sobers, novelist V.S. Naipaul and many diplomats and politicians.

But groups representing the Caribbean islands' Muslim and Hindu communities - which account for around a third of their 1.3million-strong population - had argued that the words 'Trinity' and 'Cross' were 'overtly Christian'. They also said the use of a cross insignia was offensive.

Five British law lords, all members of the Privy Council, have ruled that the honour breached the right to equality and the right to freedom of conscience and belief. >>> By Mail Foreign Service | Saturday, May 9, 2009