November 6, 2009

Eco-warriors awarded religious rights


by Benjamin Graham

Environmental beliefs are entitled to the same protection under UK law as religious convictions, a judge has ruled.

The ruling by Mr. Justice Michael Burton upheld the decision of an employment tribunal in which an employee claimed he was victimised because of his green beliefs.

“If a person can establish that he holds a philosophical belief which is based on science, as opposed, for example, to religion, then there is no reason to disqualify it from protection,” Justice Burton said.

Tim Nicholson, who brought the case to court, said that because of his environmental views he refuses to travel by plane and has renovated his home to be eco-friendly.

“I believe that climate change is the most important issue of our time and nothing should stand in the way of averting this catastrophe,” Nicholson said.

“This philosophical belief – which is based on scientific evidence – has now been given the same protection in law as faith based religious beliefs.”

Environmental scientists and religious groups have reacted with dismay to the ruling.

Myles Allen, head of the Climate Dynamics group at the University of Oxford, said: “As a scientist who works on climate change, I find the ruling deeply alarming.

“Is Jeremy Clarkson similarly entitled to protection if he declares himself a conscientious objector and wants to keep his 4×4?”

Andrea Minichiello Williams, director of the Christian Legal Centre, said the ruling will leave Britain in “cultural and legal chaos”.

“This decision has a real irony about it,” Williams said.

“Whilst the Court seems to be simply extending the definition of what is regarded as ‘religion’, implying that what is basically a scientific experiment should be respected as much as the historic, community-enhancing and establishment-linked mainstream religion, the very same judiciary are failing spectacularly, month by month, in safeguarding the fundamental religious rights of Christians.”

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