South African Court Says Church Acted Illegally In Firing Gay Teacher

In South Africa, a Pretoria High Court judge has ruled that a church acted illegally when it fired a music teacher at the church's Art Academy after it found that he was in a homosexual relationship. SABC News today reports that the Court ordered the Nederduitse Gereformeerde Kerk to apologize to Johan Strydom and to pay him damages of 86,000 Rand ($11,000 US). Reporting on arguments in the case last week, the Sunday Independent said that Strydom claims his firing violates South Africa's Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act and his constitutional right to equality and dignity (Constitution Secs. 9 and 10). In its presentation to the court, the church said that gays are welcome in the congregation if they repent and "either change their ways or live a celibate life."