Cross row stokes Christian anger
Pastor Dale Morgan
Cross row stokes Christian anger*
BBC - British Airways has asked a Christian member of staff to conceal
her cross necklace because it contravenes the company's uniform policy.
But has it added to a sense of unease among Christians?
Crosses may be a fixture around the necks of many Christians, and have
even become a fashion accessory for A-list celebrities, but not everyone
is happy to see them on display.
Heathrow check-in worker Nadia Eweida is on unpaid leave after refusing
to cover up her cross necklace.
"I believe that it is a very important issue on the matter of expressing
Christianity and employees having their say in the way they express
their faith," she said.
British Airways says all jewellery and religious symbols on chains must
be worn under the uniform.
But it makes an exception for Sikh turbans and Muslim hijabs because
they cannot be covered up.
The airline says: "British Airways does recognise that uniformed
employees may wish to wear jewellery including religious symbols. These
items can be worn, underneath the uniform."
Fiona's necklace
Airline British Midland has the same uniform policy, which it says is
based not on religion but on the kind of image the company wants to present.
It is not the first time the cross has been subject to scrutiny in
recent weeks.
The BBC admitted it had a discussion about newsreader Fiona Bruce's
cross necklace in the context of a wider debate about impartiality and
religious dress, though it insists there is no ban.
Meanwhile the row over Muslim veils is still rumbling on, as a support
teacher in Yorkshire fights suspension for wearing a veil in lessons.
While many Christians work happily for firms that do not allow crosses
to be worn, some feel the action taken by British Airways is symptomatic
of a backlash against the Christian faith, at a time of heightened
sensitivity about religious apparel.
The Rev Brian Allenby, national director of Christians at Work which
promotes Christianity in the workplace, says displaying the cross is
important part of some Christians' faith.
"I think I think it's petty-minded for British Airways to ask her to
conceal the cross. My view is as long as they treat everybody the same,
that's not a problem," he said.
"For some Christians it will be very important.
"I suppose it's a bit like the issue with the Muslim veil. Some Muslim
women wear it and some don't."
David Cannings, chairman of Christians in Politics, which encourages
people in public office to make their faith part of their work, said
religious imagery was becoming marginalised.
"We think such ostentatious expressions of faith are starting to be
pushed into the background in an attempt to treat people equally and I
think there's a danger that faith will be pushed into the background at
the same time.
"The debate is 'Is that what we want?' and I don't think we've answered
the question.
"There's a danger we end up like in France where there's an absolute bar
on any expression of faith in public society."
It's we [Christians] who are being persecuted
Ann Widdecombe MP
Christian traditions in the UK are deep-rooted and should not be pushed
away completely, he said.
"We would be left with a character-less culture where the only
expressions of faith are those required by other faiths."
And he said there was a danger the seeds of division would be sown if
some faiths were not allowed the same expression as others.
Devout Christian and MP, Ann Widdecombe, went further and said the
situation was "absolutely crazy" and that Christians were "suffering".
"It's we who are being persecuted," she said.