Gay counselling row goes to tribunal
A Christian counsellor from Bristol is to take a charity to a tribunal today after he was allegedly sacked for refusing to work with same-sex couples.
Gary McFarlane, a solicitor and former church elder, will allege the Bristol branch of counselling service Relate refused to accommodate his religious beliefs.
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Gary McFarlane
The 47-year-old, from Hanham, started training with Relate in May 2003 and said he enjoyed good relationships with clients and colleagues.
The father-of-two was suspended after meetings with his manager in October 2007, in which he claims he was asked to state his views regarding same-sex couples.
Mr McFarlane claims he was harassed and labelled a "homophobe" after his suspension was lifted, and following a further disciplinary hearing, was dismissed on March 18.
He said: "I love the community of Bristol. I live in a great city, with a history. There is no room for oppression of any people and a return to the past.
"The issues are way bigger than one individual. Society will be the poorer if we do not balance rights fairly and respectfully."
Mr McFarlane will claim discrimination on the grounds of religion, unfair dismissal and harassment at Bristol Employment Tribunal Centre.
The Christian Legal Centre, which has backed Mr McFarlane throughout the process, has instructed human rights barrister Paul Diamond to represent him in the two-day hearing.
Andrea Minichiello Williams, director of Christian Concern for our Nation, said: "Mr McFarlane had an unblemished record of service for Relate and was trying to work out a way in which his Christian views could be accommodated."
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by Sally, Bristol
Thursday, December 03 2009, 10:49PM
“Mary. Do get yourself a life and stop trying to preach your beliefs to everyone,,, the answer to this debate is simple, don't get a job with relate unless your willing to help people in all kinds off relationships..... Simple”
by Mark, Halesowen
Thursday, December 03 2009, 7:49PM
“As for Amanda,how can you call yourself a Christian and not say the Bible is literally true?
Who decides then what is and isn't?
How ridiculous and i thank God i am not a member at your church and well said Mary.
Homosexuality is an abomination in Gods sight so it matters not what anyone else thinks for it is He that will be your Judge,not you.
A true Christian Amanda cannot be seen to be in any way assisting or promoting practices condemned by God,your statement about those things being old and archaic in their nature are not so,God NEVER changes and what was abhorrent to Him then is so today,God does NOT move with the times as society does,for society does it to be free from righteousness and what you call liberty is ever increasing bondage to sin.
So many that calls themselves Christian today who are so far away from it in reality,and Christ shall say on that awful day,Depart from Me,you workers of iniquity,into the fire prepared for the devil and his angels!”
by Mark Harris, Halesowen
Thursday, December 03 2009, 7:38PM
“Steve how sad that you view people that have a living faith in the Creator as being somewhat degenerate.
Just because YOU don't believe does not make the FACT that God exists and created all things.Just because we cannot see Him does not of necessity mean He is not there,which you shall find out to your confusion one day that He always was.
Gary well done for conscientously standing up for what is morally right,may God bless you whatever the outcome and let the rest of us take courage in your stance to do likewise if confronted as you have been.
May God have mercy on this country and may we shine as lights in this ever increasing wicked world,to testify to His saving grace in the face of Jesus Christ”
by Katie, Bristol
Monday, December 01 2008, 6:02PM
“I want to be a scuba diver. It's not a problem that I can't swim and am afraid of water, is it?
Probably not, in this crazy world we now live in!”
by Steven, North Bristol
Monday, December 01 2008, 4:23PM
“Amanda, godists by definition worship a supernatural, invisible being.
I have no problem with people being crazy enough to believe such hogwash but I do have a problem when people try to impose their delusions onto others.
I am sure I will enjoy the Winter Festival, thankyou.”