British Airways has asked a Christian member of staff to conceal her cross necklace because it contravenes the company's uniform policy. But has it added to a sense of unease among Christians? Crosses may be a fixture around the necks of many Christians, and have even become a fashion accessory for A-list celebrities, but not everyone is happy to see them on display.
"I believe that it is a very important issue on the matter of expressing Christianity and employees having their say in the way they express their faith," she said. British Airways says all jewellery and religious symbols on chains must be worn under the uniform. to wear jewellery including religious symbols.
These items can be worn, underneath the uniform." Airline British Midland has the same uniform policy, which it says is based not on religion but on the kind of image the company wants to present. The BBC admitted it had a discussion about newsreader Fiona Bruce's cross necklace in the context of a wider debate about impartiality and religious dress, though it insists there is no ban.
Meanwhile the row over Muslim veils is still rumbling on, as a support teacher in Yorkshire fights suspension for wearing a veil in lessons. While many Christians work happily for firms that do not allow crosses to be worn, some feel the action taken by British Airways is symptomatic of a backlash against the Christian faith, at a time of heightened sensitivity about religious apparel. The Rev Brian Allenby, national director of Christians at Work which promotes Christianity in the workplace, says displaying the cross is important part of some Christians' faith.
"I think I think it's petty-minded for British Airways to ask her to conceal the cross. My view is as long as they treat everybody the same, that's not a problem," he said. "I suppose it's a bit like the issue with the Muslim veil.
Some Muslim women wear it and some don't." David Cannings, chairman of Christians in Politics, which encourages people in public office to make their faith part of their work, said religious imagery was becoming marginalised. "The debate is 'Is that what we want?
' and I don't think we've answered the question. "There's a danger we end up like in France where there's an absolute bar on any expression of faith in public society." Christian traditions in the UK are deep-rooted and should not be pushed away completely, he said.
"We would be left with a character-less culture where the only expressions of faith are those required by other faiths." Devout Christian and MP, Ann Widdecombe, went further and said the situation was "absolutely crazy" and that Christians were "suffering". "It's we who are being persecuted," she said.
News RSS