Photo via christianconcern.com

Christian prevented from working because of her personal views

In a new case of shocking intolerance a Christian mental health worker has been effectively suspended by her employers because she expressed her opinion in a private conversation with colleagues and showed them a booklet containing stories of women and the devastating impact of abortion on their lives, reports Christian Concern for our Nation.

Margaret Forrester has worked for Central North West London Mental Health Trust for over two years and the NHS for over 7 years. Earlier in November she was on a temporary secondment and sat next to two health workers whose job is to advise women on abortions. She felt that women seeking abortions were not given all of the information and alternatives available to help them make an informed decision, so she gave a small booklet to her co-workers called ‘Forsaken’ which documents the testimonies of women who have been impacted by abortion.

Soon afterwards Margaret was called into a meeting with her manager with no warning, interrogated over her views and suspended from work. This was then changed to special leave with pay and then she was required to sit in an office and not work.

Margaret appears to have been suspended and then sidelined because she holds the view that abortion may have consequences for women, even though she does not work with family planning issues. She faces a disciplinary hearing at 2.30pm on Tuesday 22 December for ‘distributing materials some people may find offensive’ and may well be sacked.

These events show the incredible intolerance that is sometimes displayed against Christians and the constant pressure that Christians face in the workplace contrary to their freedom of conscience and freedom of speech.

Margaret Forrester, who regularly attends a church in Knightsbridge, said:

“Our forefathers paid the ultimate price in WWII so that we could express our beliefs without fear and act freely in good conscience. I am faced with a formal disciplinary hearing by the Westminster Central North West London Trust for giving a pamphlet called "Forsaken", which contains stories of ordinary women who have had abortions, to a fellow colleague in an informal conversation in which we were discussing what may be in the best interests of patient care. This action has been deemed "possibly offensive to some individuals" and I am almost certainly facing serious disciplinary action.”

Andrea Minichiello Williams, CEO of the Christian Legal Centre, which is supporting Margaret Forrester, said:

“It is staggering that to voice an opinion to colleagues and pass out a booklet could cost you your job. The level of intolerance in the public sphere, particularly in public sector employment, is deeply worrying and suggests that we are living in less and less of a free society. Well known research has confirmed that abortion can be harmful to mothers and there is absolutely nothing wrong with voicing that opinion. Women need to be given fully informed consent about the nature of abortion, as the decision to have an abortion will impact their lives forever. Fully informed consent means that they need to be made aware of all of the risks of having an abortion including the well documented mental health risks. As well as being bad medical practice, freedom of conscience and freedom of speech are being dramatically curtailed in this case. What kind of society do we want to hand to our children? ‘Forsaken’ is a moderate and simple booklet detailing the personal testimonies of women from Taunton who have attempted to come to terms with their own abortions. We cannot let this kind of intolerance go unchallenged.”

The Royal College of Psychiatrists released a statement in March 2008 admitting that abortion may damage a woman’s mental health and recommending that women should not be allowed to have an abortion until they are counselled on the risks.

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TAGS: United Kingdom Christian mental health worker abortion family planning issues freedom of speech

[12/27/2010]

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