UNITED KINGDOM: Felix Ngole Wins Appeal in Freedom of Expression Case

Source: Christian Concern, July 3, 2019

In a landmark judgment, the Court of Appeal has upheld the rights of UK Christians to freely express their faith by handing victory to former student social worker Felix Ngole. Overturning a High Court decision to uphold Felix’s expulsion from Sheffield University, the crucial outcome represents a major development of the law. It is now clear that Christians have the legal right to express biblical views on social media and elsewhere in public without fear for their professional careers.

Felix was expelled in 2016 from his social work course at the University of Sheffield after quoting Bible verses on Facebook that were deemed critical of homosexuality.

In the court hearings, the University argued that Felix had “lacked insight” into the effect of his posts on social media. During his Fitness to Practice hearing, the University had told him that the expression of his Christian views was unacceptable and was effectively told either to renounce his faith or stay silent on pain of losing his career.

However, the Court of Appeal held that it was the university that was “lacking insight” in not understanding a Christian viewpoint.

» Read full story and watch Felix discuss what he did and the implications of his expulsion. Wonder how these cases will play out in the future?

» See also Christian Street Preacher Awarded £2,500 for Wrongful Arrest (The Christian Institute). Oluwole Ilesanmi was accused of hate speech for criticizing Islam while preaching outside a metro station in London and his Bible confiscated by police.

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