'Christians treated with disrespect'

SENIOR bishops yesterday claimed Christians in Britain were being "treated with disrespect" while followers of other faiths were dealt with more sensitively.

The six bishops and Lord Carey, former Archbishop of Canterbury, said the "apparent discrimination" was "unacceptable in a civilised society".

In a letter to a Sunday newspaper, the bishops point to the case of Shirley Chaplin, a nurse banned from working on hospital wards for wearing a necklace with a cross. They also claim Christian beliefs on issues such as marriage and homosexuality were brushed aside by new legislation.

A group of 640 head teachers, school governors and faith lead-ers signed a separate letter calling for axing of legislation that will see children as young as seven taught about sex and relationships. The bishops said: "We are deeply concerned at the apparent discrimination shown against Christians and we call on the government to remedy this serious development.

"In a number of cases, Christian beliefs on marriage, conscience and worship are simply not being upheld. There have been numerous dismissals of practising Christians from employment for reasons that are unacceptable in a civilised country."

Mrs Chaplin's case for discrimination on religious grounds will begin today in her home town, Exeter . The bishops said it was "yet another case in which the religious rights of the Christian community are being treated with disrespect". They added: "To be asked by an employer to remove or 'hide' the cross is asking the Christian to hide their faith."

As well as Lord Carey, the letter was signed by the Rt Rev Michael Scott-Joynt, Bishop of Winchester; the Rt Rev Michael Nazir-Ali, former Bishop of Rochester; the Rt Rev Peter Forster, Bishop of Chester; the Rt Rev Anthony Priddis, Bishop of Hereford; the Rt Rev Nicholas Reade, Bishop of Blackburn; and the Rt Rev Jonathan Gledhill, Bishop of Lichfield.