EU equality law that will let 'upset' atheists sue companies that hang up crucifixes.

Run_to_da_hills

I commented on this issue with the roll out of the recent "Athiest Busses" that it will only be a matter of time before EU regulations would propose legislation that could ban material that could be deemed offensive to individuals. Well this is just the start of the way things could happen.

Organizations which hang crucifixes on walls could be sued if they upset atheists under equality laws proposed by the European Union.

Any group offering a service to the public, including hospitals, charities, businesses and prisons, would be at risk particularly in Ireland where many institutions such as schools and hospitals are run by the Catholic Church.

Legislation may also allow Christians to bring an action against a hotel if it displayed something they deemed offensive - such as a poster for the 1979 Monty Python film The Life Of Brian.

There are already laws banning harassment in the workplace, but the new Brussels regulations are designed to offer people protection from providers of goods and services.

However, they 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 organization.

The Church of England says hospices or charities for the homeless could face legal action if people using their services felt degraded by their religious practices or symbols, such as the cross.

The Archbishops' Council even fears that charities could be challenged by atheists if grace is said before meals.

The Law Society says religious believers may also be able to launch a civil action for harassment.

http://www.wiseupjournal.com/?p=824

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1160275/The-EU-equality-law-let-upset-atheists-sue-companies-hang-crucifixes.html

studiorat

Usual anti-Lisbon scare tactics really. Wise-up Journal think George Bush blew up the twin towers or some other horse manure so I really wouldn't pay too much attention to it. Likewise the Daily mail. Don't believe the hype!

What I do hope happens in this case though is a fair way to monitor religious organizations acting as public servants while trying to convert people at the same time. I couldn't care less if they had an Elvis Buddah on the wall as long as they declare all their motives.

Fanny Cradock

It all seems like anti-EU scare tactics to me. The word 'could' appears far too much in the OP.

gaynorvader

There is no word I find quite so abhorrent in the English language as sue( as in to sue someone ). It obstructs justice far more than it supports it.

The Mad Hatter

Seriously, Run_to_da_hills - you have to stop reading the Daily Mail.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IoglB5NRxTo

Húrin

oh noes! Run to the hills!

Ickle Magoo

It's already happened in other countries - not so much as a march against Christianity or for atheism, I think, as out of an acknowledgement of the multi-racial/cultural/faith society we now live in. I was quite taken aback that my room in the hospital had a crucifix & that a priest came round every day. Ireland certainly has a more visibly present link to Christianity than other supposedly "Christian countries"...

Pamela111

Run_to_da_hills wrote: »

I commented on this issue with the roll out of the recent "Athiest Busses" that it will only be a matter of time before EU regulations would propose legislation that could ban material that could be deemed offensive to individuals. Well this is just the start of the way things could happen.

Organizations which hang crucifixes on walls could be sued if they upset atheists under equality laws proposed by the European Union.

Any group offering a service to the public, including hospitals, charities, businesses and prisons, would be at risk particularly in Ireland where many institutions such as schools and hospitals are run by the Catholic Church.

Legislation may also allow Christians to bring an action against a hotel if it displayed something they deemed offensive - such as a poster for the 1979 Monty Python film The Life Of Brian.

There are already laws banning harassment in the workplace, but the new Brussels regulations are designed to offer people protection from providers of goods and services.

However, they 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 organization.

The Church of England says hospices or charities for the homeless could face legal action if people using their services felt degraded by their religious practices or symbols, such as the cross.

The Archbishops' Council even fears that charities could be challenged by atheists if grace is said before meals.

The Law Society says religious believers may also be able to launch a civil action for harassment.

http://www.wiseupjournal.com/?p=824

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1160275/The-EU-equality-law-let-upset-atheists-sue-companies-hang-crucifixes.html

The great persecution of Christians has already begun but it is nothing compared to what will happen in the future. The world is being led astray.

robindch

Pamela111 wrote: »

The great persecution of Christians has already begun but it is nothing compared to what will happen in the future.

Do believe that, sometime soon, christians will be imprisoned or killed, with military/police/legal support, in Ireland or elsewhere in Europe?

AtomicHorror

Pamela111 wrote: »

The great persecution of Christians has already begun but it is nothing compared to what will happen in the future. The world is being led astray.

Nah. It's just not going the direction you want it to.

Húrin

If there is ever a great persecution of Christians, other Christians will take part in perpetrating it.

MatthewVII

Pamela111 wrote: »

The great persecution of Christians has already begun but it is nothing compared to what will happen in the future. The world is being led astray.

Pamela, I really think you have been seduced by the doomsaying and prophecy associated with Christianity. It is one of the more dramatic and exciting aspects of the religion, but I think you have bought into it a bit too much and are in danger of missing out on it's true significance.

ChocolateSauce

I would be against this bill, not over the religious content, but over the notion that we have a right not to be offended. We don't, and I don't want one.

Besides, although I mightn't like religious imagery in my face, provided it isn't a space that public money is going towards, I think it should be up to the owner/manager of the space. I know that if I owned an office building and I wanted to put something somewhere, I wouldn't want to be told I couldn't.

thebigcheese22

Pamela111 wrote: »

The great persecution of Christians has already begun but it is nothing compared to what will happen in the future. The world is being led astray.

HA! I'm guessing you believe everything you read in right-wing rags? :rolleyes: