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Equality: Law must be changed to cover those who believe

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A cross-party group of Christian MPs has reported that the law must reasonably accommodate those with religious beliefs.

The group wants to see provision included in the Equality Act 2010 extended to cover religious groups in the same way as those with disabilities.

The group, called 'Clearing the Ground', have called for the change in the law which would then allow cases of discrimination to be viewed on a case-by-case basis.

The call has come at a time when they say that Christians and others with religious views in society feel heavily marginalised. They say that changes in the law have resulted in religious beliefs being demoted below the common rights which other citizens enjoy.

Critics of the group argue that protecting the rights of Christians and others in this way would allow private prejudice to have the support of national laws. They also argue that under current legislation, Christians and others with religious beliefs have no less legal protection than anyone else.

Cases of discrimination do crop up, and it is these which the group argue lend support to their claims.

Last week a 57-year-old Christian, Celestina Mba, lost a claim at an employment tribunal after she was refused permission by her employer, Merton Council, to take every Sunday off work for religious reasons.

Supporters of a change in the law point to cases such as this as an example of how living out a religious belief can lead to discrimination in modern society.

Muslim peer Baroness Warsi, the Conservative Party co-chairwoman, has recently spoken out in support of the rights of Christians in the UK and around Europe.

"[Religion] is being sidelined, marginalised and downgraded in the public sphere," she said.

She went on to argue that Europe needed to become "more confident and more comfortable in its Christianity."

Related links:

Read more on the story (BBC)

Overview of discrimination law (FindLaw)

Find solicitors throughout the UK (FindLaw)

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