Thank goodness for justice in the country. God will honour
this lady for standing up for her beliefs. God loves everyone
but not necessarily what we do - for ALL have fallen short
of His glory. God Bless you Lillian

Celia, Nottingham, England

Sean, Bristol
A pacifist joing the army is a ridiculous comparison as they would have been obviously incompatible from the outset - and would have known it!
This lady joined her job many years ago, long before same sex marriage was even considered, and until recently has carried out her job well.

PP, London,

NO Anna, doctors can opt out of contraception and abortion referrals by passing it to another doctor - that situation is diefferent, however, no doctor is ever obliged by their job to prescibe anything: it is always a matter of personal judgement instructed by doctors' medical ethics and morality.

John, London, UK

"Islington council may appeal." Well, that will be a change, usually it appals.

Faustino, Brisbane, Australia

if a doctor is catholic do they have a choice in whether to prescibre contraception? this is a comparison i thought summed up this situation perfectly but i am not entirely sure on the above.my mum says they refuse to, but i think she is just saying it to support her arguement!

Anna Munro, Marytownne, Scotland

I am a practising Catholic but disagree in principle with this woman's view - if you sign up to be a public offical you are required to do what your job entails: a pacifist joining the army and then refusing to engage in combat would be absurd, for example.

Sean, Bristol,

I've seen bitter and angry comments against this poor woman, most referring to her as "the old woman"... and I had to google to find this article, and what do I discover? She isn't old at all!
So why do her ideological opponents insist that she is? Spite,nastiness, and pure childishness.
Sigh...

Debbie Kean, Auckland, New Zealand

No wonder the World is in the state that it is in To-day. We are all going back to Sodom and Gomorrah ! Genesis 6: 5 Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
I am in agreement with Lillian.

Jeffrey Churchill, Pierrefonds, Quebec. CANADA

"This is a simple case of a major change to this womans working condtions."

Whilst I have not read this woman's contract, most contracts - particularly civil service include a clause about further duties as the post and the law changes.

Lizzie, Edinburgh,

Would it be acceptable for this woman to refuse to perform a civil marriage ceremony if she didn't believe, for example, in mixed race marriages? She's there to perform the ceremony for those who have a legal right to be married--full stop. She should park her prejudices or get a new job!!

Doreen O'Brien, London, Ontario, Canada

why is it that gays rights wants us Christians to tolerate their laws but they can't tolerate our rights we as Christians can't participate immoral rituals.

Carolina, merritt island, USA

She is a registrar, her job is to perform marrige and civil ceremonies, if she is refusing to do either then she needs to find a different job.
If she wishes to continue without perfoming civil ceremonies then she should take a pay cut = to the % of civil ceremonies that are performed.

Paddy, Leicester,

This is what happens when a society moves away from God. At first, there is sufficient commonality to bridge the gaps. Eventually, however, it becomes increasingly difficult to honor two disparate views of life and morality. Compromise becomes almost impossible.

We're fast getting there. Sad.

M. Forrest, Hampden, USA

Well done Lillian!
Exactly what part of sodomy does the state have an interest in?

Tim, Dallas, USA

When California's Courts ruled for gay marriage, 14 San Diego County Clerk's office employees requested not to conduct them. I thank them and Ms. Ladele for acting on their faith! Now, we need to pass California's Marriage Protection Amendment in Nov, to define marriage as one man one woman only.

Karen Grube, San Diego, California, US

Appeal this ruling! Don't let this biggoted act go unchallenged. She has masked her ignorance in the name of religion. She is not only unprofessional, and incompitent, but also lacks human grace, and dignity. She must not be able to return to her job, and must be held responsible for her behavior!

Flex, San Francisco,

This is a simple case of a major change to this womans working condtions. Fair play for objecting to the change in working conditions and getting a settlement. If the council had any sense they would have let her do the normal marriages and changed their requirements for new hires to include civils.

John, Egremont,

Have just finished reading 'The Handmaids Tale'. I hope that when Gilead arrives this girl gets her just deserts.

Eric Skelton, Cardiff, Wales

If this lady had lost her case then the discrimination would be against people of faith who hold values.
There are others that would marry gay couples so why should this lady loose her job over it.
Freedom of speech is important

Katerina , brentwood,

Surely the point here is that whilst the religious bigot is entitled to her views, and even, in a reasonable society, to act on them, her colleagues are also allowed to ostracise her for holding them? If they think her views distasteful, they should shun her and she should leave the job.

Josh, London, UK

I'm neither religious or gay, but once more it strikes me that some gays want to force their lifestyle and beliefs down everyones' throats. A lot of them are so insecure in their sexuality, that they feel the need to exhibit it at every opportunity.

Stick to your beliefs Lillian. Its your right!

Peter, W-S-M, UK

I expected plenty of righteous agreement with Ms Ladele's behaviour and her views. What a true joy to see how many commentators expect impartiality - especially from public servants - and will not tolerate anything less. We have come a long way, haven't we?

hka, London,

A just decision by the courts. Freedom of conscience is something that has been steadlily eroded under New Labour and by many bigots masquerading under the guise of socialist fundamentalism that makes no allownaces for non-conformity. The right to believe homsexual marriage is sin should be upheld

Raul McPherson, Rugby, UK

Lilian Ladele was bullied by her colleagues. Are the people who ridiculed her beliefs actually condoning the bullying? Can her human right not to be bullied by her colleagues be denied because she chose to defend her beliefs?

Carolyn, Surbiton,

To Ernie
Why do religious people always pick and choose their religious rules to fit each situation? You seem to be forgetting that a state (registry office) marriage is a wholly godless practice in itself which is true for both Homosexual and Heterosexual unions. This court decision is bizarre!

Steve, London,

Marriage is the ideal state as far as rights and privilages go, so we provided a secualr method. Allowing religious consciene to dictate this is wrong fundamentally, but she was working before gay marriage were allowed. Future employees should be bound to marry homosexuals, but she should not.

James, Leeds, Gt Britain

there is a God and homosexuality in Gods eyes is an abomination Godless people support Godless practices but thank God for the few voices left in the world that speak for God and have the courage to stand for truth this is not bigotry God loves the sinner but hates the sin end of comment

ernie toppin , london , london

That a public servant can chose not to provide a service to taxpayers is outrageous.

If this decision is considered fair then virtually any discriminatory measure dressed up in religious terms would also be considered fair.

Where will it end and how much more will it cost?

Des, Edinburgh,

Her attitude has until recently been integral to the development of our society. Between 1960 & 1980, our society has had inevitable fragmentation covertly introduced from within. Government enables minorities to browbeat the majority lilke this. Idiots in charge & this confusion is the result.

william, deal, kent

Genius.

One group claims discrimination against another group who claim discrimination back, all rolled up in the victim culture red flags - gays, religion, minorities, women.

By trying to treat every special interest group with different treatment, we end up here. Well done PC panderers.

James, London,

I wonder how this woman would have felt if a registrar had refused to perform her marriage ceremony because s/he hated black people?

Prejudice is prejudice, and it's always ugly. This was quite simply a bad and wrong - and, frankly, disgusting - judgement.

Anna Lawrence, Oxford, UK

For all those saying sexuality is a choice, when exactly did you CHOOSE to be heterosexual? How did you manage to resist your homosexual temptations? By saying there is even a choice in the matter you are implying all humans are inherently bisexual - that is not the case.

isabel, doncaster,

How come anyone that disagrees with the gay rights movement is automatically a 'bigot'?

Trevor, Nottingham,

"Always look on the bright side of life"
As sung by Eric Idle in that fantastic film The Life of Brian.

Maybe that woman should get a life and stop believing in strange stories from a book of fiction about mythical characters written years after they were supossed to have lived.

John Lawrance, WEST BYFLEET, UK

Would she still have been within her rights if she were to refuse to perform a Catholic ceremony?
Was it not stipulated on her employment contract that she had to perform the ceremony without any exception?

Badri, Chennai, India

Which branch of Christianity sanctions any secular wedding ceremony conducted both outside of a church and outside of The Church by an unordained woman? As an athiest I'm just unclear as to where accepted religious principles are actually involved in this whole process.

Tim, Bristol,

The law allows same sex marriages. Why should Christians be allowed to break the law? If her beliefs tell her not to perform the ceremony, then she is entitled to them. However, she should resign as she is unable to perform her civic duty.

Christina, Poole, UK

It disturbs me that it always seems that minorities seeking tolerance for their religion/views/sexuality/politics show precious little tolerance for others of opposing views.

Indeed yesterdays 'victims' will be tomorrows intolerant.
More compromise all round, less venom please.

Dave, Gibraltar,

This is a shocking decision. This woman is not a religious official. Indeed, according to the beliefs she claims she could never become one because of her sex.

She is a public servant who is paid from taxes to deliver services.
In this case, explicitly non-relious weddings!

Anthony, Preston,

Gay rights being used to bully religious beliefs??? It is of course the other way round! Why should gay peoples' freedoms and rights be 'trumped' by any kind of religious belief, which, it must not be forgotten is no more than superstition!

rob, Paris, France

I think you are simply confused. Not harassing someone over their religious beliefs is a far cry from "giving weight" to those beliefs.

Religious people - I'm not religious - are not going to dictate the law. It's simply that it's not open season for the PC brigade to abuse them at work.

jon livesey, Sunnyvale, CA/USA

Good for her. If Muslim checkout operators can get away with not having to sell alcohol, she is well within her rights not to have to do "gay" weddings.

jcb, darwen,

Read the judgement!

She won because she was discriminated against by her employer because she declined to carry out same sex unions.

Not because she declined to carry out same sex unions.

Nothing like emotion to obscure the facts!

Ian J, Ramsgate, UK

Gemma , Notts says:
"Whether or not you agree with her views, they should still be respected"

It is not her views that are at issue, it is her refusal to deliver the service that she is legally obliged to do. One can respect her views but not agree to her abrogating her responsibility.

Ian, Berwick, UK

The story quoted against homosexuals is the Soddom and Gomorrah tale of Lot and family. The point of that story isn't that homosexuals are so bad they must be destroyed. The point of it is that God judges and not us. This woman has usurped God's role, to be led astray is no excuse for going astray.

John Sinclair, Aberdeen, UK

The woman should not have been harrassed. She should have been sacked for refusing to do her job. I hope the job descrptions of registrars have been updated to include the Civil Partnership Act.

Bernard Ratigan, Leicester,

So councils must 'pay heed to the religious views of their employees'. What if those views are of the 'Church of the Aryan Nations' (sadly it exists) or if that a is bit extreme, even such long established bodies as the Afrikaner Reformed Church? Functionaries can have no religion.

Eric Skelton, Cardiff, Wales

Again the Godist tyranny we live under is exposed. Christians and Muslims are licenced bigots. If I as an atheist discriminated against homosexuals I would be dismissed with no compensation and no sympathy from anyone.

Eric Skelton, Cardiff, Wales

Hilary from Oxfordshire:

Of what relevance is the law having changed since she commenced employment?

We have to comply with whatever is the current legislation applicable to our profession. We cannot pick and choose which laws we follow on the basis of the commencement of our employment.

Daniel, Belfast,

As a registrar and member of the national front I expect my right not to marry non-whites to be maintained.

Barry, Leeds, UK

"If homosexuality is natural then they are saying their genes are faulty by not passing on these characteristics to the next generation."
Adam Richards, Australia

to argue along your bizzare thought, I would say their genes are built to combat overpopulation in the world. first class!

Jim, London, UK

To Affy in London,
If
"God designed sex with the intention that it should be performed by a man and a woman in marriage."
Then he certainly slipped up because early Homo Sapiens knew nothing of marriage, but he certainly knew about sex - or you wouldn't be here would you ?

Edna, Stowe-on-the-Wold, UK

Sally Oxford thinks that:
"Islington Council should be proud to have an employee of such courage and integrity on their payroll."
Whilst Islington Council took the view that she was not doing the job she was paid for, and that she was committing the cardinal sin of allowing her own prejudice to deny legal rights to local citizens.

Sean, Coventry, UK

dave of nottingham claims:

"same sex marriages should be illegall she is quiete correct"

But since they are NOT illegal, she is NOT correct.
She is out of order.

Ian, Berwick, UK

WW of London
This discussion is not about how people become gay.
It's about whether a registrar employed to perform a legal ceremony, has a right to refuse to do so.

Edna, Stowe-on-the-Wold, UK

Only the Spirit of the Living God could have revealed this. Praise God for her obedience. End of comment.

John Whittle., Crosskeys, Newport. , Newport City.

Congratulations Lillian for standing up to your employer. Sadly, very few people dare speak out for what is right in today's 'politically correct' workplaces. Islington Council should be proud to have an employee of such courage and integrity on their payroll.

Sally, Oxford, UK

Because something seems natural doesn’t make it right. It might be natural for me to want to pick my nose, doesn’t mean that I should. God designed sex with the intention that it should be performed by a man and a woman in marriage. Not having pre-marital sex is about truly putting children first.

Affy, London,

This is not about religious rights over gay rights. It is about whether or not public servants can refuse to do their job when dealing with someone whose lifestyle they do not approve of. Where a public servant finds that their duties are incompatible with their beliefs they must resign.

Andy, Telford,

i think she was looking for a big payout somewhere along the line. hope she don't get it, but the pc's will see she does, and next week the pc's will see that the gays who were refused, will also get a big pay out!

gordon, plancoet, france

It is not scientific fact people are 'born gay.' Much evidence exists to show people choose this as a lifestyle, as much as people choose a religion.

If you accept people are 'born' gay then how can they be qualified to be parents? An impossibility due to natural law, not religious belief.

WW, London,

same sex marriages should be illegall she is quiete correct to refuse to carry out this type of event. Marriage should be between hetrosexual couples only as same sex relationships are an abonimation in nature

dave, nottingham,

Nick walters of Corby asks:
"Why carn't the Government create some other form of civil partnership which gives same sex couples the same rights?."
They have Nick - and this is it.
That's why Ms L is bang out of order.

Anna, Leicester, UK

Father Blair moved Britain back to the dark ages with his anti-religious discrimination law. If I was gay, I wouldn't want this woman anywhere near my civil ceremony - nor, for that matter, would I want her to officiate at my marriage, since she presumably despises those choosing a secular ceremony.

Kevin, Durham,

Homosexuals are the Bigots not thoes who are Religious, So what if you are Gay! it states in the Bible it is wrong. Why carn't the Government create some other form of civil partnership which gives same sex couples the same rights?.

nick walters, Corby, uk

The attacks on Lillian Ladele's moral integrity by a group of people who have no control over their own bodies and is a clear sign that we are in a moral reccession. Morality has got to be stronger than a law that only comes to us because our Parliament has no 'moral compass'. How low we have come!!

Peter Smith, Retford, UK

So its OK to hold any racist, bigoted, misogynistic or just plain weird belief as long as you think some “holy or god” inspired text tells you too. Therefore would it now be OK for say a Muslim security guard at an airport to allow a suicide bomber onto a plane, as long as he believed in jihad?

Ray, Tunbridge Wells, UK

I think Ms L was doing rather more than merely airing a dissenting view ...
"Lillian Ladele, 47, won her employment tribunal after being threatened with the sack for refusing to officiate at gay marriages because she believed homosexuals were “sinners”."

Sounds a tad like bigotry to me

Ian, Berwick, UK

So she chooses not to perform civil ceremonies for same sex unions because of her religious beliefs? Its not a ceremony for her religion she's officiating at, so why is she applying her own bigotry to a service paid for by the greater community that employs her? She should get poor appraisals now.

Shona, london,

So far, apart from damages, Ms L's lark has cost us around £35,000. For little more, we could provide her a ticket to go live in the USA's bible belt where her fundamentalist views and discriminatory behaviour would be applauded - and we'd be rid of one who does not wish to live by our laws. A win/win situation.

Sean, Coventry, UK

Beth Davies of London says:
"Employers cannot unilaterally change job descriptions ... 16 years ago same -sex marriages were not legal"
That's progress Beth.
When hanging was abolished, I don't remember the last hangman Albert Pierrepont going to tribunal because his contract had been changed.

Sean, Coventry, UK

If I believed in pixies and as a consequence couldn't do the part of my job that involved heterosexual people.....could I win some cash too? After this might just give it a try eh?

Amit, London,

In the UK you cannot cherry-pick the law on grounds of religion.

No religion, not even Christianity or Islam is above the law

Ian, Berwick, UK

Mr Pendragon and others; why should she find a different job? The law has changed since the time this lady took up her post; there are those who are more than willing to conduct the civil ceremony for gays. Let them do it.

Hilary, Oxfordshire, UK

Maybe intending supplicants should request a registrar who will perform the ceremony without allowing her own private ideas to obtrude - after all, it is not HER day, just her duty !

Ian, Berwick, UK

I am rather confused as to how this person can refuse to do this as it is against her religious beliefs when it isn't a religious ceremony but a civil / legal ceremony, does this mean she won't officiate for people who are muslim / catholic / protestant if their religion is different to her own

wayne hooper, norwich, england

Is it now the case the a christian housing officer would not offer a flat to a gay couple because their religious principles were offended?

CHARLIE, LONDON,

I'm glad she won. Employers cannot unilaterally change job descriptions which is why she won. When she took the job 16 years ago same -sex marriages were not legal. People taking jobs as registrars since the legalisation of same-sex marriages would not have the same protection unfortunately.

Beth Davies , London, uk

This might not be very PC, but I don't see how you can put gay rights on an equal footing with religious rights. Gay is who you are, religion is what you believe. How can your personal beliefs supersede the law and allow you to discriminate against people for who they are? It's absurd.

Valerio , London,

Well done Lilian for standing for you r beliefs!! The relativistic society become mean and shallow by considering "some" rights. Without seeing the absolute truth people will be mixing up righteousness and its reasons. I'll say a pray for you !!

Silvia , Cambridge, UK

Several have stated sexualtiy is a choice. Are they then homosexuals repressing their natural inclination? Lies are the worst sins. A gay man or woman entering a "hetero"sexual relationship wrongs themselves and their partner. The moral solution is to partner someone who attracts you.

PJW Holland, London,

Whether religious rights or sexuality rights, or any other - the cash sums paid out in personal so-called human rights cases such as this one could be better spent on the more pressing human rights catastrophes in the world.

What happened to people just apologising to one another?

Chris, Fife, Scotland

Why should this woman's profound beliefs be respected simply because she pleads religion? I have profound beliefs too but because they do not come from a religion they would be dismissed by a court as irrelevant.

I am fed up of this special pleading from religionists. Sack her.

Bob, Adelaide,

" There is no doubt that Jesus supports all loving couple's gay or straight.

Tim, LA, USA"

No Tim, read the Bible - love the sinner, reject the sin.

Philip, Nr. Haywards Heath, England

Human rights should be used as a shield to protect a person from the actions of others, rather than as a sword to force others into compliance. As the local authority in could still offer the service, even taking into account Ms Ladele's conscience, I fail to see why she was considered a problem

Dan, Poole, UK

She's a hypocrite. She states in interviews that marriage is holy etc... yet she has no problem doing very civil, unholy marriages for straight people every day. If she truly believed what she said she wouldn't do civil marriages full stop. Practice what you preach, otherwise you look like a bigot.

Matt, London, UK

This case isn't about whether gay people have the right to a civil partnership, and she wasn't denying people that right based on her views. She was just saying that because of her views, she didn't want to be the one to do it! Whether or not you agree with her views, they should still be respected.

Gemma , Notts,

Why does Lillian Ladele agree to do a job when she knows that her religious convictions prevent her from from undertaking some of the tasks that she is legally required to perform.
Surely she is in default of her contract ?

Anna, London, UK

Ben Summerskill and Peter Tatchell are entitled to their views. But, given that their views are often sought, should they not then show more maturity and break the shackles of their single-issue view of the world? They seem to have become bigoted in their refusal to acknowledge the rights of others.

clive, epsom surrey,

I believe in gay union in marriage. I also believe in freedom of choice.If miss ladelle is not comfortable with participating in same sex ceremonies,for whatever reason, that is her choice,not discrimination. Accept it is different to be gay.Be proud to be different and show some humility sometimes.

Catherine, edinburgh, uk

"She has won a victory for the right to discriminate".
- Mr Peter Tatchell.

For your information, Mr Tatchell, the right to discriminate is now a legally enforcable statute. Ms Harriett Harman has seen to that.

Geoffrey Smith, Manchester, England

There's a powerful difference between disagreeing with something (and refusing to participate) and hating the participants. I disagree with speeding, but I don't hate people who speed. This lady disagrees with gay weddings; that doesn't mean she hates gay people.

Tim, Derby,

"No wonder society is breaking down!"
In which way would this be? Because two people love one another and want the same rights as everyone else? What a strange view.

People have a right to live and love as they may.

If Ms Ladelle was conflicted then she should have resigned.

Danny, London,

I disagree.
That is an excuse too often used by those who choose their sexuality.

Did you CHOOSE your sexuality then?

Danny, London,

Recently a muslim teaching assistant Aisha Azmi lost her discriminiation case when she was dismissed for refusing to take her veil off in school. How do we distinguish the two situations to explain the contradiction? If someone feels their beliefs prevent them from doing their job they should leave.

Kevin Miller, Tonbridge,

Surely our greatest moral obligation to society is to obey the law, not to seek some individual evasion based upon the private morality of some relious or political group.

Anna, London, UK

In private, she has the right to believe whatever she likes, and should not be discriminated for it. But as a civil servant ,she should be doing her job, no matter what her personal beliefs - and carrying out civil partnerships is part of her job.

And I say that as a committed Christian. ^_^

Kate, London, England

I am ashamed at some of the comments made in the the first ten comments. I could not read on. Give Gay people rights and give religious people rights. And all you do is argue pathetically about each others rights.

Nether of you are as important as you think in the long term of the human race

Ben Harvey, BANES,

The whole point of civil ceremonies is that they strictly exclude religion. Surely then, this simply makes Ms Ladele unfit for her job, as well as someone who seem to be somewhat misguided as to her career choice - why be a "civil" registrar if you have such strong religious beliefs?

Lydia Harratt, camberley, England

Civil Partnerships and Civil Marriages are STRICTLY SECULAR - religious wording is not allowed in the service. Civil servants are there to carry out the law, not to interpret the law themselves.

Her job was to implement a secular law without any reference to religion. SHE DIDN'T DO HER JOB.

Matthew Bennett, London, UK

So glad to see the courts getting it right for once!

Dean, Southampton, England

The usual two sides of the arguments. But:
1: The lady did not say they couldn't do something. She was saying she wouldn't do something.
2 Freedom of conscience is a two way street. You may not like it but she's s free to speak her mind as you.
Or is she? Not in your 'fair' society, it seems.

Martin, St Helier, Jersey

Surely she should just forgive them?

Pete, stirling, UK

If god had meant us to be compassionate and understanding, he would never have allowed us to invent religion. I frankly have no obejection to anyone doing what feels right for them, as long as it isn't forced on me. Like holy wars, religious bigotry, religious repression etc.

john , Chichester, United Kingdom

Also, I wonder what her response would have been if a racist had refused to marry an interacial couple as it "offended their beliefs".

You can't pick and choose the law.

Matthew Bennett, London, UK

May I remind Roger Angrove of Truro of the basic Human Right to practice religious freedom.Those of the gay community who accuses Christians of discriminatioin are themselves practicing discrimination and intolerance.
Freedom for one group must involve freedom for all!!

Mike Arnold, Bargoed, UK

Congratulations Lillian for standing on your christian principles.
If only the same could be said for our National leaders!

Maurice Stewart, Armagh,

good she was right to take a stand against these unnatural practices

peter c, devizes, wessex

Part of the issue here was the change of practice of the council - in future i am sure job descroptions will make it clear that civil partnerships are part of the jpb.

Mike Homfray, Liverpool,

I suppose the tribunal result has nothing to do with the religious bigot being black.

ted, peckham,

I think this is an outrage!

What is it with you religious zealots that make you "think" you are better than anyone else? Why should it be a problem what two grown adults do behind closed doors that makes you hate so much? Where is your love, compassion, understanding?

GAY=Good As You!

Sean , Norfolk, UK

I am sure Ms Ladele would not tolerate the degrading, humiliating, offensiveness of a raciest. So I fail to see why anyone should have to tolerate the degrading, humiliating, offensiveness of a bigoted religious homophobic.

What next, tolerance for religious racists?

Anthony J Mather, Market Deeping, Lincolnshire

Why is everybody accusing this woman of being a bigot?
She hasn't said or done anything to hurt homosexuals. She has made no attempt to prevent gay marriages or challenge them. She believes that gay marriage is wrong and decided to have nothing to do with it. There is no bigotry in that.

Nick, Leicester,

If this womans religious believes stop her from doing her job then she should resign. And this should also apply to politicians as was made obvious in the recent vote on gene technology. Hunger and sexuality and tiredness are all human feelings. Religion is not. It is man made. This must be appealed

k.livitt, hove,

Yet another victory for religious bigotry. Christianity and Islam are two sides of the same dictatorial coin.

Colin, London,

This decision is extremely worrying. Why are religious beliefs accorded more precedence than other beliefs? Why is it ok to dress homophobia in religious clothing and get away with it? If she had been an atheist basing her argument on political motivation she would have been sacked.

Michael, Chester, Cheshire

"Gay rights are... an excuse to abuse others rights"

In this case, faith is an excuse for discrimination. Yet Miss Ladele shows no opposition to performing marriages for divorcees, despite them not conforming to her definition of what marriage should be.

This isn't about faith, it's about bigotry.

Tim, Bedford,

This is very bad. What is next?: An orthodox religious doctor will refuse to help an unmarried pregnant woman; he can say "I can't help you because of my belief, but there are plenty of other hospitals you can go to. " Imagine her being driven around till she finds a doctor that does approve of her.

Hendrik de Jong, London, UK

I want a job as a registrar.
I believe that religious people are a danger to society, should be discouraged from procreating, and thus it is contrary to my principles to marry them.
I think I am a suitable candidate.

Anna, London, UK

Ms Ladele should be allowed to voice her preference and have a colleague carry out the ceremonies she cannot,. however, if her employer found this was beginning to make her position untenable, they should maybe reword her contract.

Rob, Reading, UK

It was held that this woman has a good relationship w+ those that choose to practice homosexuality. She, like other Christians, does not hate gays. This decision is a victory for justice. She was being asked to do something that she sincerely thought morally wrong. There is no justification for that

Simon, Birmingham, Uk

Being gay is a choice; religion is a way of life. Why should gay people's rights be more important than someone's beliefs. If people were born gay and didn't have a choice, how would a gay gene be passed on? No logic. Peace out. :D

Seumasaravisood, London, England

The system works!
Lets hope more follow in her footsteps.

Mark, Devon,

This woman stood up for what she beleives in. Christianity condems homosexuality. But not the Homosexual. Shes not discriminating against anyone merely standing up for what she beleives.

james, glasgow,

To all those on this page that say that homosexuality is not a choice but genetically determined; im afraid this is blind faith. This has simply never be shown to be the case; indeed no complex behavioural trait has ever been proven to be determined by genes. You need to get your facts right.

Simon, Birmingham, Uk

"No wonder society is breaking down!" lol! There's worse things at sea than what people do in their own bedrooms, and bigger things to worry about than the terminology of it! Maybe socieyt is breaking down because of an obsession with the petty and shallow!

Graham Rounce, London, UK

Why do people on here still believe that Sexuality is a choice and religion isn't. People are born with their sexualtiy so explain how they chose it? Religion is forced upon you by your parents/culture but you can reject as a fairy story as you come to realise that all religion is created by man

Dave, Swindon, Wiltshire

I am sorry that Ms Ladele was harrassed as a result of exercising her religious conscience: that is always and everywhere unacceptable. However, since she could not carry out her duties as a registrar, because she wished to discrimnate against gay couples, she should have have found a different job

arthur pendragon, Moscow, Russia

To Roger Bentstone, Dubai, - chosing to marry someone of the the same sex is not the same as chosing you sexuality You can chose to marry or not but not chose what you are born as. What makes you think that one day some one says I'll be gay from now on!

Dave, Swindon, Wiltshire

Sexuality is a choice? How counter-intuitive. I do not ever recall being sexually neutral and making a conscious decision to be attracted to women. I presume the same applies to homosexuals. As for homosexuality not being hereditary, of course it is. How does one explain its prevalence if not?

Daniel, Belfast,

Certainly conscience should not overide civil law but the registrar is not saying civil partnerships should not be performed but that she wishes to withdraw from any involvement; as a medic can refuse to perform an abortion.

Quite different from imposing belief on anothers actions.

John Mason, Gravesend, England

sara cen, London,

sara cen, London says:
"it is a genetic mutation against the grain of evolution/ natures way"

There is no "way" of nature.
There is no "grain" or "direction" about evolution.
Evolution is randomness constrained by environmental factors.

Anna, London, UK

civil partnerships are not marriages they merely recognise and give gay couples the same rights in law as hetrosexual married couples. Therefore how can there be any objections on religious grounds as this is not a religious ceremony, therefore her objections on religious grounds seem a moot point

Carl, bristol,

Homophobia appears to be entirely unacceptable only if its source is not a dubious religious text.

Does anyone think that a person who said they hated homosexuals due to personal disgust, as opposed to being on religious grounds, would have been succesful in their case?
What is the difference

Daniel, Belfast,

Lillian Ladele says:
"Gay rights should not be used as an excuse to bully and harass people over their religious beliefs "
Yet she is quite happy to use her religious beliefs to discredit gay people and deny them their legal rights.
Maybe she needs to review her own rather vindictive version of Christianity.

Sean, Coventry, UK

What a shame that a gay-phobic tribunal should uphold belief in myth over factual biological conditions. Gay rights should be prioritised over religious beliefs and refusal to carry out one's duties of employment should be punished not rewarded. This argument is scientific and not emotional.

Keith Lawson, Poole, UK

What exactly were the 'orthodox christian beliefs' that precluded this lady from conducting civil partnership ceremonies? There is nothing in a civil partnership that recognises the sexuality of the parties or suggests an obligation to have sexual relationships (as in implied in a marriage ceremony)

David Hyde, London,

"Religious rights over gay rights? Religion is a choice. Sexuality is not."

so its not a choice to get married to someone from the opposite sex, make love to them, move in with them?

sorry i thought as a heterosexual man I made my own choices thanks for putting me straight on that one then....

Roger Bentstone, Dubai,

At last common sense and victory for those who do not follow the crowd. 'Gay rights' are all to often an excuse to abuse others rights. At last justice is seen to be done.
Will those who treated her so badly now be dismissed?
If not, why not?
They have clearly acted outwith their contract and sho

Graham Herriott, Braintree, UK

No science has yet proved Homosexuality is hereditary. It is a life style choice as is religion. If it were hereditary, it is a genetic mutation against the grain of evolution/ natures way.

As for those who claim Christianity approves of gays - wrong. Have you not read the life of Lot in the Bible

sara cen, London,

So where would an atheist stand in such a situation?

You do not have to believe in religious clap-trap to have a conscientious objection to same-sex partnerships.

Why should faith in the illogical (ie religion) confer on a person the right to bigotry?

Chris, Ashford, Middx, England

So the lunacy of 'faith' takes precedence over the secular laws of the United Kingdom.

What century are these people living in?

Roger Angove, Truro, Cornwall, UK

Religion is a choice. Sexuality is not.


I disagree.
That is an excuse too often used by those who choose their sexuality.

Graham Herriott, Braintree, UK

Good for her! If she felt she couldn't consent to the new 'arrangements', well, it was surely within her 'human rights' to do so.

I loathe the term 'gay marriage'......surely 'legal partnership' is much more appropriate.

No wonder society is breaking down!

Shirley Bowen, Blackpool, UK

Discrimination goes both ways - against a person's sexual orientation and against a person's religious beliefs. This way noone loses - gay couples get married by a different registrar and Ms Ladele's beliefs are not compromised.

Mary, Newcastle, UK

Voodoo or belief in God and civil service?! I think this pious woman should change her trade, because her position at work was lawless.

Arunas, Vilnius, Lithuania

The problem here is this woman is chosing only those things from her religion that she decides will offend her. How come she is happy to marry straight couples who've had sex outside marrige and/or have been divorced when it is clear in the bible that this is a sin. Why just refused to marry gays?

Dave, Swindon, Wiltshire

It is clear in this case where the bigotry lies. An accomodation could have easily been reached that would have respected the views of the registrar and gay couples. This was another case of the gay rights lobby IMPOSING its views on the rest of us. Why can they not accept that everyone does not

Andrew Brown, derby, UK

At last some common sense against the PC brigade.

Dr Ian Burgess, Bristol,

If someone was already in the job they shouldn't have to perform gay marriages if it's against their beliefs, since that wasn't in the job description when they accepted employment. If they take on a job that requires them to perform gay marriages then they do it or don't accept the job.

D Shaw, Derby, England

I have a great deal of sympathy for Ms Ladele but as a a gay man in a CP I would have been more comfortable with Ms Ladele not being allowed to register any marriages (gay or straight) as a compromise position. Ladele could focus on births and deaths (she'd not have to marry divorcees then either!)

Gareth Williams, Cardiff, UK

Let's wait and see if Ms Ladele decides to donate her payout to charity: then we will be sure that her religious beliefs have been hurt.

B.S.M., Washington, D.C., USA

God's Discrimination of the devil threw him out of heaven.
How dare this 'society' suppose it is more "progressive" than God to give him "equal rights".

John Anselm, Canterbury, England

Simon:"Religion is a choice. Sexuality is not."

Religion is not a choice in that sense. God reveals Himself, giving objective knowledge (ref:baptism). Dissent would be bananas, though many do. Homosexuality, meanwhile, is very much still a debate.

Greg Lorriman, Leatherhead, UK

The comments above are indicative of a disturbing fanaticism and victim-mentality among sections of the gay community. The invective heaped on orthodox Christians like Lilian Ladele - people who have never met her ranting that she is "a disgusting woman" is irrational and excessive.

Justine, London, UK

In recent years, gays have used legalities to extort millions from councils, companies and individuals. They & their supporters have assumed an arrogance that they can trump the rights and liberties of any who disagree. Perhaps this will give government the courage to stand up to the malcontents.

Bob Evans, Anaheim, California

Tim of LA, you obviously don't know your Bible. Never does it claim that the Roman soldier had a lover. Jesus healed his servant. Please don't twist the Bible to support your views.

I fully support Lillian Ladele. Her beliefs should be respected depite what the "diversity fasists" feel.

Astrid, Taipei,

Disgraceful. If this woman's religious beliefs prevented her from doing her job (for which was paid £31,000 p.a.) she should have resigned or been sacked.

Ed Ward, Bristol, UK

Homosexuality is a choice. If it were not then all homosexuals would be rendered second class citizens. If homosexuality is natural then they are saying their genes are faulty by not passing on these characteristics to the next generation. I wish homosexuals would see this flaw in their argument.

Adam Richards, Sydney, Australia

Another mountain over a molehill.
Nobody was refused a service, problems only came from the attitude of co-workers and employers.
This lady started work before the civil partnerships came into being. In future only registrars prepared to offer full services should be employed.
Future no probs.

Ray Harvey, Hitchin, UK

A bad judgement. If she couldn't perform the full range of her duties she should have been moved to another post where she could. It was wrong to harass her, but totally wrong to allow religion to disrupt the workings of the secular state. I trust this judgement will be challenged legally!

Paul Freeman, London, England

Clearly, Lillian Ladele did not set upon this course to offend the gay community, and they can have their ceremonies performed by someone else perfectly adequately.

Peter Tatchell should remember that tolerance, understanding and accomodation is not just a one-way street!

Mike Hart, London, England

The decisision was perfectly correct. No-one should be forced to act contrary to their concience.
The Gay community should realize that to hold the contrary view is to echo Nazism.
Liberty and freedom under God, if it is to be effective, must not be limited to any one group but the right of all.

Tony Cook, Colchester, England

If she has a right to object then her victims have a right to object to her objection. This must be over turned. There are no rights to protection on the grounds of religion and especially a deliberate misinterpretation of the scriptures. Sexual orientation is not a choice. Religion is.

PJW Holland, London,

When will people finally realise that it is not fear, therefore not a phobia. It's personal choice and nobody should have to deal with that kind of people or even like them if they don't want to

John, UK, UK

It's a complete myth that Christianity was founded on being anti gay. People knew about and wrote about gay's before and during Jesus's life time. Jesus never said one negative word against gay's. If being gay was such a bad thing how come Jesus forgot to say anything about it. Jesus in fact healed a Roman soldier's lover and in the process never said anything bad about the couple. Jesus even complement the Roman soldier for having such great faith in Jesus ability to heal his lover. There is no doubt that Jesus supports all loving couple's gay or straight.

Tim, LA, USA

What a disgusting woman.

Religious rights over gay rights? Religion is a choice. Sexuality is not.

I hope they appeal and bigots like this are no longer pandered to.

Simon, London,