British Magistrate Denied Right To Opt Out Of Gay Adoption Cases

In Britain, the city of Sheffield’s Employment Tribunal has rejected a religious discrimination claim by a Justice of the Peace sitting as a magistrate in the Sheffield Magistrates' Court . The magistrate claimed that his Christian religious beliefs were violated when he was not permitted to opt out of overseeing cases involving adoptions by same-sex couples. The Employment Tribunal's decision prevents Magistrate Andrew McClintock from serving on the Family Panel, whose jurisdiction includes adoptions. BosNewsLife reported Saturday that the Tribunal ruled that "personal opinions" needed to be set aside in exercising the functions of public office. The Evangelical Alliance disagreed with the ruling, saying the case has to do with the need to make reasonable accommodation to religious conscience. Journal Chritien has additional background on the case.