Christian nursery worker sacked for saying homosexuality is wrong

A Christian nursery practitioner has lost her job after telling a gay colleague that the Bible regards the practice of homosexuality as wrong.

Credit Toby Hudson on Creative Commons license

Sarah Mbuyi, who worked at Newpark Childcare in Highbury, North London, is claiming unfair dismissal on grounds of religious discrimination.

Ms Mbuyi, a Belgian national, is being represented by The Christian Legal Centre, which is calling for Prime Minister David Cameron to intervene over her dismissal, following his recent public assertion that Britain is a “Christian country”.

Newpark Childcare runs four Montessori nurseries in London, all of which are rated by Ofsted as Outstanding.

Ms Mbuyi claims that in January 2014 her colleague at Newpark Childcare in Highbury, London, started a conversation about Christmas and went on to ask a number of other questions relating to the Christian faith. In this context, Miss Mbuyi’s colleague raised the issue of what the Bible teaches on homosexuality. The colleague felt unhappy that she could not marry her female partner because of the church, and said that she thought God condoned homosexuality.

Miss Mbuyi said: “When I said no God does not condone the practice of homosexuality, but does love you and says you should come to Him as you are, she became emotional and went off to report me to my manager.”

At an internal disciplinary hearing, Ms Mbuyi was confronted with her colleague’s allegations and was asked if she would read a story to the children at the nursery which featured same sex couples. Ms Mbuyi said she would have to refuse to do this.

Miss Mbuyi said: “Time and again my colleague initiated conversations to probe me about my faith, especially about homosexuality. I never ever condemned her, or accused her, but when she asked me directly what I believed, I was open about sharing the Bible’s teaching that homosexual sex (not the people) is wrong. It’s clear that this offended her and she was determined to get me sacked, simply because I expressed traditional Christian beliefs.”

Andrea Williams, barrister and chief executive of the Christian Legal Centre said: “Sharing Biblical truths out of genuine love and concern for colleagues is being outlawed in the workplace by a dominating cultural correctness. There is a culture of fear which closes down freedom of speech and the manifestation of faith. This culture brands the liberating good news of the Gospel as oppressive and regressive.

“Sarah’s case demonstrates the confusion we’re experiencing in current times. David Cameron has given public recognition of the enormous positive impact that Jesus Christ has had on our nation but he wants to mould Christianity to his political agenda. History shows that Christianity is greater than any political agenda.”

She added: “The Prime Minister has huge influence. If he is serious in his support for Christianity, he will intervene in Sarah’s case and ensure that those who believe in marriage, as defined in the bible, between one man and one woman, will not lose their jobs but be wholly and properly protected by the law.”