The High Court has deferred a decision on whether a watchdog was right to ban an advert that asked Christians to report experiences of workplace marginalisation.
The original ad, which was due to air at the time of the last general election, quoted surveys showing that 60% of active Christians were being increasingly marginalised at work.
But the Radio Advertising Clearance Centre (RACC) stopped Premier Christian Radio’s ad from being aired, ruling that it was “politically motivated”.
Fundamental
Premier challenged their decision and in December they were granted a judicial review. Last week the High Court deferred its decision.
Peter Kerridge, Premier’s chief executive, responded by saying: “The case raises important issues of fundamental rights of freedom of expression for Christians to report to us their experiences in the workplace. We are pleased with the way in which the case is progressing.
“His Honour Judge Silber listened carefully to the legal arguments put forward by Premier Christian Radio and will now consider his decision in the full knowledge that this is a very important case for Premier, RACC and the UK Government.”
Discrimination
Earlier this month a European think-tank warned that Christians face “the most striking cases of intolerance and discrimination throughout Europe”.
In its 2011 review, the Observatory on Intolerance and Discrimination against Christians in Europe (OIDCE) claim that 85 per cent of hate crimes in Europe are against Christians.
OIDCE director Dr Gudrun Kugler said: “We also notice professional restrictions for Christians: a restrictive application of freedom of conscience leads to professions such as magistrates, doctors, nurses and midwives as well as pharmacists slowly closing for Christians.
Trouble
“Teachers and parents get into trouble when they disagree with state-defined sexual ethics.
“Our research shows that only with a more accommodating approach to religion and specifically to Christianity, Europe will live up to its foundational value of freedom.”