A theology professor who misplaced his job over his feedback about homosexuality on social media has his case heard at an employment tribunal right now.
Dr. Aaron Edwards is claiming harassment, discrimination and unfair dismissal and is looking for damages and reinstatement from Cliff Faculty.
He was dismissed in 2023 after seven years on the school following a tweet relating to the Church of England's Common Synod debate on same-sex blessings.
He tweeted: “Homosexuality is attacking the church. Evangelicals don't see the seriousness of this anymore b/c they’re busy apologizing for his or her apparently barbaric homophobia whether or not it's true or not. It is a 'gospel factor' by the best way.” If sin is now not sin, we now not want a Savior.”
After the backlash, he defended his feedback in one other tweet, saying: “It is a conservative view. Acceptance of homosexuality as 'non-sinful' is an invasion of the Church, doctrinally. This isn’t controversial. Acceptance is controversial. Many of the international Church would agree that it’s not homophobic to declare homosexuality for sin.”
Dr Edwards was fired by Methodist Cliff Faculty after he refused to withdraw his notes.
At right now's listening to in Sheffield, his legal professionals from the Christian Authorized Heart (CLC) will argue that the faculty breached his rights underneath Article 9 and Article 10 of the European Conference on Human Rights.
Earlier than the listening to, Edwards mentioned, “I really feel like all the things I've labored for in school (and for the faculty) over the previous seven years has gone up in smoke.
“Anybody who cares about educational freedom, Christian liberties and free speech must be deeply troubled by what occurred to me.
“The tweet was not defamatory; it was not an assault on any colleague or particular person; it was not offensive; and it was not an extremist non secular opinion. It was addressed to evangelicals as a degree of doctrine and lots of misunderstood it.” who wish to trigger private and institutional bother for many who categorical this view.
“The influence on me and my household has been very vital. In consequence, I’ve misplaced many buddies and been slandered by individuals who don't know all the main points however now see me as an unkind or hateful particular person.”
“The profession I constructed over a long time has been critically broken to the purpose the place I now not have a profession. I’ve no alternative however to battle for justice.”
CLC CEO Andrea Williams mentioned Edwards was fired “as a result of he challenged the church to assist God's instructing on human sexuality.”
“Preventing publicly for this reality meant he misplaced the job he was so good at, in addition to his household's residence,” she mentioned.
“It’s deeply unhappy to see a once-renowned Bible school lose its means by now not advocating the reality about marriage. What message does Aaron's firing ship to the following era of leaders and pastors and the way forward for Christian witness?”
She continued, “Our church buildings and our society desperately want brave leaders. Aaron is dedicated to elevating devoted preachers and pastors for the church. We’d like extra lecturers and trainers like Aaron, not much less, to construct the following era of Christian leaders who is not going to be ashamed of the gospel. “
Cliff Faculty defended its actions, saying the language used within the tweet was “inappropriate and unacceptable and doesn’t symbolize the views or ethos of Cliff Faculty”.
“Cliff Faculty with the Methodist Church in Britain is dedicated to being a secure and welcoming place the place they’re welcomed and inspired to dwell collectively as devoted disciples of Christ.”
“We purpose to do that with mutual respect and a generosity of spirit that stems from our biblical and evangelical conviction of God's love for everybody and all the things.”