British Airways Cross Debacle - A Society Losing Its Identity?
The decision to restrict check-in worker Nadia Eweida from wearing her cross - a symbol representing her religious faith and devotion to Jesus Christ - British Airways, one of the largest carriers of air traffic in the world, has entangled itself in a religious debate that runs deeper that it would first seem.
by Christian Today
Posted: Wednesday, October 18, 2006, 6:40 (BST)
Multi-cultural Britain over the last few decades has meant becoming "tolerant Britain" - so much so, that a sudden stream of extremism has been allowed to plant itself into society. The line between cutting off extremism, and putting in place a firmly tolerant society is being created, but it is vital that the line be precisely drawn.
British Airways says that it would have allowed Nadia Eweida to keep wearing her cross, which was roughly the size of a 5 pence piece, if it remained securely under her uniform. However, regarding other more prominent religious symbols, BA has said that they can be displayed without hindrance because it is "impractical" to hide the symbols of their faith under their uniform.
Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain has said that BA's decision was "loopy".
Catholic Tory MP Ann Widdecombe has called for a boycott of the airline until they reverse their decision.
Of course for a Christian it is obviously easier not to be offended by the sight of a cross. So what do other faiths think of BA's decision? Would seeing a cross offend them as they checked-in for a BA flight?
Inayat Bunglawala, of the Muslim Council of Britain, said: "It is an expression of private religious belief and we do respect that in the same way that we respect the right of Muslim women to wear the Niqab."
In addition, it has been reported that Dr Indarjit Singh, director of the Network of Sikh Organisations, said: "It is very silly and narrow-minded of British Airways not to allow Nadia to wear her cross."
Without many notable people coming out to back BA's decision, it seems that in its attempt to remain sensitive to those of all faiths, BA has inadvertently offended millions across the nation.
Has Britain finally lost its identity as a Christian nation amid a rush to become a thriving multi-cultural society? Christianity is something so deeply imbedded into British history, that to deny it would surely be to deny its character and identity.
However, it must be remembered that the debate has been brought to the forefront by British Airways, who in 1997 dropped the Union Jack flag - the symbol of Britain - from the tailfins of their aircraft so that a more ethnic design could be created. Now the cross - the symbol of Christianity, and many also say of Britain itself - is also being dropped by the airline.
Let's hope that an apology and retraction of this absurd decision will be forthcoming. However, even if the airline does lose the core identity of its name, let's hope that Britain itself does not follow suit and lose the identity of where the foundations of its modern society and democracy have come from. Rather with a greater pride let all Christians declare the true meaning of the cross!
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Added: Saturday, January 13, 2007, 11:57 (GMT)
But where when this story broke, was the so called "leader" of the Church of England. Swanning round China I'm told! On holiday or "business...... I know not.
Where was and where is his voice? Where is his rallying cry to UK Christians to stand up and be counted as a force for good and for Christ.
This decent, but seemingly out of touch, man is sadly a failure in terms of providing a focus for Christians to follow. Well done York for actually saying what needed to be said - albeit a tad late. Small wonder he is being talked up as the replacement for Cantebury!
Moral. Christians, start wearing your little crosses or fish....PROUDLY.
james dominic, calpe spain
Added: Saturday, November 25, 2006, 0:36 (GMT)
The Hindu lady often wears a (Prominent red Dot in the middle of her forehead) it might be argued that this is a beauty spot ,but it is almost always worn by a Hindu lady .
I think wearing badges of a Political nature is the only display that should be banned by employers. ( No Politics at work) but The Cross is universely accepted as the emblem of the love of Christ. I hope they will not be offended by The Red Cross on Ambulances next.
Anthony, London UK
Added: Friday, November 24, 2006, 11:02 (GMT)
It is time we Christians grew up and stopped being so petty. It is not the cross as a symbol that is important but the cross as a historical event and an ongoing spiritual reality (...carry your cross and follow...). We also need to be more honest in our use of statistics. The article suggests that over 70% of the UK population consider themselves Christian and yet I suspect that, if we were pushed, we would admit that this claim is highly spurious. Yet the article seems to suggest that, just because rockstars have tatoos emblazoned on their bodies it somehow means they are practising Christians. All it means is that the cross has become trivialised - and surely the reason for this is that Christians have ceased living the reality of the cross and chosen to become more concerned with our rights than serving a lost and confused world.
Craig, Ormesby, UK
Added: Thursday, November 23, 2006, 16:21 (GMT)
Totall agree with a boycott. How about some demonstrations at BA check-ins desks in Airports around the World?
RoyJenkins, Reading, UK
Added: Wednesday, November 22, 2006, 23:43 (GMT)
I feel it necessary to point out that this has absolutely nothing to do with religious discrimination, or the cross.
BA's uniform policy requires workers to wear their necklaces (of any kind, religious or otherwise) under their uniforms. That is all. A Muslim wearing a crescent necklace would have to comply to the same regulation. There is no discrimination at all.
Incidentally, where is the wearing of crosses mandated in the Bible (or anywhere in Christianity)? It's nothing more than a personal choice that many opt to do, but it is not a required religious garment, so the same rules would not apply even if this was a case of religious discrimination, which it isn't.
This is nothing but a media beatup.
M.Smith, Aus
Added: Tuesday, November 14, 2006, 10:19 (GMT)
The Behavior of BA in this matter is childish and it shows double standards. There is no problem with a Muslim woman wearing a veil in BA but a Christian can not show his or her cross. The extreme left are saying the Muslim has to wear her veil because her religion requires it but Christianity doesn’t. At the same time BA isn’t worried that people can be offended by seeing a woman wearing a veil. Also pointed out in the many articles on this matter is that a Sikh can wear an Iron Bangle.
All of this shows double standards. People have a right to religious expression. Either nobody can wear things that show their faith or every one. That includes Sikh Turbans, Iron Bangles, and Muslim Veils.
BA is out of line. In addition, the Conservative Party in Germany has already announced they will no longer use BA as their carrier for travel. Personally I am one person that cancelled a trip for 7 people to my home town from Germany to the US because of BA’s behaviour.
Kenneth Tillery, Horb, Germany
Added: Friday, November 10, 2006, 0:37 (GMT)
British Airways are only one of many companies that are doing this. I was asked by my employer if I could hide my cross and chain or button the top of my shirt up because it offended one of my Muslim co workers. I chose to resign that to hide who I am and who my God is. I did not ask or say that I was offended that my co-worker wore a head scarf and that we had to leave our office each afternoon so that she could pray to the corner of the office wall.
Matthew royal, Liverpool, England
Added: Friday, October 20, 2006, 12:32 (BST)
I think we as Christians are very lenient. let's all boycott using BA. There are so many airlines we can use. Let's stop using BA until they offer an apology.
Tamani, England
Added: Friday, October 20, 2006, 8:35 (BST)
Yes totally right. Everything you said is very applicable and I think British Airways has definately gone multi-cultural loopy. Let us share a vote for sanity and simple common sense, and hope for BA to alter their altogether strange and worrying decision.
Brian Damson, Bath, England
Added: Wednesday, October 18, 2006, 13:49 (BST)
I totally agree with this article and sincerely hope British Airways reverse their decision.
Christine Rodgers, Abingdon, UK
