British Airways suspends worker with crucifix

[tocqueville]

Sat Oct 14, 8:02 AM ET

LONDON (AFP) - British Airways has suspended a Christian woman who wears a necklace with a crucifix to work, even though it allows Muslims and Sikhs to wear headscarves and turbans.

Nadia Eweida, 55, told the Daily Mail Saturday, that she decided to sue her employer for religious discrimination after having been suspended without pay for three weeks.

"I will not hide my belief in the Lord Jesus. British Airways permits Muslims to wear a headscarf, Sikhs to wear a turban and other faiths religious apparel," Eweida said. "Only Christians are forbidden to express their faith."

Eweida, a British Airways employee for seven years, works at the BA check-in counter at London's Heathrow Airport.

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/afp/20061014/wl_uk_afp/britainaviation_061014120220

[eyesroll]

1. Hm...tough one. Is wearing the crucifix essential to her faith,

as, say, a yarmulke is for an observant Jewish man...or is it more of a display of faith, but not a requirement, akin to wearing a Jewish star necklace?

I think she would have a good case (in the United States -- I have no idea how Britian's system works) if it's the former, not so much if it's the latter, assuming the regulations permit variances from the uniform policy for essential religious apparel.

[ComerPerro]

2. If she's like most people, its just a show anyway

[Reverend_Smitty]

3. I was going to comment on how she would have a good case as well

it seems like some pretty cut and dry religious discrimination, then I realized I know nothing about the British legal system :P

[tocqueville]

7. what's essential to her faith isn't relevant

in a country with separation of Church and State (which isn't really the case for the UK). BA motivates it only for what is "practical" due to internal business policies.

[951-Riverside]

16. It would be if she was muslim tocqueville n/t

[Kingshakabobo]

4. Another poor victimized xtian.......

Wearing the symbol isn't enough. She wants to wear it on the outside of her uniform for all to see.....didn't Jesus have an opinion on flaunting your religion?

[AnneD]

5. We are too long on law...

and too short of common sense and tolerance.

[etherealtruth]

6. Touche`

[insanerepubs]

8. Very well said

...I agree...:toast:

[Richard Steele]

9. But the crucifix is not on par with those headscarves and turbans...

They are NOT mere 'expressions' of their respective faiths,
they are REQUIREMENTS.

Their religious texts state (or at least strongly suggest)
that believers MUST wear them.

There is NO similar requirement for crucifix-wearing in
the Christian bible.

Her Sikh co-worker's turban is a religious obligation;
her crucifix is a personal statement.

The two are NOT the same.

Her inability/unwillingness to understand that fact makes
it no less true.

[Hoping4Change]

13. The headscarf is not a requirement, it is a choice.

[CJCRANE]

10. Policy:

"British Airways does recognize that uniformed employees may wish to wear jewelry including religious symbols. Our uniform policy states that these items can be worn underneath the uniform," it said.

"There is no ban. The rule applies for all jewelry and religious symbols on chains and is not specific to the Christian cross," it said. "Other religious items such as turbans, hijabs and bangles can be worn as it is not practical for staff to conceal them beneath their uniforms."

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

18. Sounds Fair Enough. Seems Like She Has No Legal Standing.

[Reciprocity]

19. Well I guess she thinks,

workplace rules are only made for unbelievers to obey.

[Fuzz]

11. If Jesus was coming back, you would think a crucifix would be the LAST

thing he's want to see, wouldn't you? I mean seriously. Couldn't they pick a happier more pleasant symbol to flaunt around for the guy that's supposed to show up for them any minute?

[RC]

12. Golly Gee, Isn't this what happens to all good liberals when

those that believe don't follow because their Christ is too liberal for them?



The Crucifix is a good symbol for Christianity to remind all of their violent and unchrist like ways.

[AngryAmish]

14. These KKKristians sicken me.

She should be destroyed.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

15. "Man is the only animal to have found the One True God..several of them."

Mark Twain

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

17. She Has No Leg To Stand On Here Within That Argument.

Wearing a crucifix is in NO WAY part of the religion of Christianity. In fact, many could argue it is inherently against the religion, as it portrays idol worship. But regardless, the symbol and it's being worn is completely unrelated to the religion itself and therefore would not fall under rules of religious discrimination.