While Christians across Europe are complaining that their rights to uphold their beliefs are being infringed upon, MPs are seeking to defuse the tension by coming out with a resolution pushing the principle of 'reasonable accommodation.'
It comes in the wake of the growing number of cases involving Christians whose employment has been negatively affected after they refused to perform acts which condone homosexuality.
Among the cases is that of nursery worker Sarah Mbuyi who claimed that she was terminated from work for telling a lesbian coworker her views on homosexuality, and refusing to read stories about same sex couples to children.
"In a Christian country, one should be free to explain what Christians believe on issues if asked. And in any country, to state the agreed view of the historic Abrahamic Faiths on sexuality should simply be a matter of fact and history, and not taken by anyone, whether employee, or employer as personal or abusive," she said, according to The Telegraph.
"Sharing Biblical truths out of genuine love for colleagues is being outlawed in the workplace by an oppressive 'cultural correctness'. There is a culture of fear which shuts down freedom of speech and the expression of faith," Andrea Williams, chief executive of the Christian Legal Centre, who is taking charge of her case, said.
Mbuyi's is not an isolated case as Relate counsellor Gary McFarlane, marriage registrar Lillian Ladele, and nurse Shirley Chaplin, suffered disciplinary action for their Christian beliefs.
McFarlane was dismissed for saying he could not in conscience counsel a gay couple, Ladele charged for refusing to officiate a same sex union while Chaplin was forbidden to wear a cross at work. All three took their cases to the European Court of Human Rights but lost.
To address the issue, the Council of Europe has passed a formal resolution that will recognise the principle of "reasonable accommodation" for the beliefs of traditionalist Christians and other faiths.
The resolution encourages countries to enable workers to conscientiously object to carrying out duties that are against their beliefs where this is practically possible.
"Numerous acts of hostility, violence and vandalism have been recorded in recent years against Christians and their places of worship, but these acts are often overlooked by the national authorities," the resolution says.
"Expression of faith is sometimes unduly limited by national legislation and policies which do not allow the accommodation of religious beliefs and practices."
It further called for respect for religious freedom and said that reasonable accommodation would all religious groups to live in harmony with a mutual respect for their diversity.
"The reasonable accommodation of religious beliefs and practices constitutes a pragmatic means of ensuring the effective and full enjoyment of freedom of religion. When it is applied in a spirit of tolerance, reasonable accommodation allows all religious groups to live in harmony in the respect and acceptance of their diversity," it said.
