Christian student thrown out of university course - for calling homosexual marriage sinful

In February 2016, the Social Work student Felix Ngole was subject to a ‘Fitness to Practise Committee’ hearing at Sheffield University where he was in the second year of his Masters degree. This hearing was brought about due to concerns that he posted comments on his private Facebook account expressing his belief that homosexual behaviour was against the teachings of the bible and that gay marriage was sinful.

Now a judge has ruled it was over the top. It means the dad of four can mount a judicial review at the High Court in London.

The court could rule that he must be­ reinstated. He said: “The university claims my views are discriminatory but I am the one being discriminated against because of my expression of Christian beliefs.”

Commenting on being removed from his course at the time, the father of four is quoted in the Telegraph as having said:

“The way I was treated made me feel that their duty of care to me immediately ended from the day they received that complaint”

“I am not against people who are in same-sex relationships, that is their choice, but I am a Christian and if asked for my views I should be free to express that”

“I didn’t intimidate anyone and I didn’t treat them in a discriminatory manner”

Losing his original appeal against a decision that Felix believes bars him from being a Social Worker because of his religious views, he has now received permission to mount a judicial review in a preliminary hearing at the High Court. Andrea Minichiello Williams (of the Christian Legal Centre that is supporting Felix’s legal battle) has said that today’s result can be seen by Christians all over the world as a victory for free speech:

“The idea that someone could be expelled from a social work course for expressing a view in a Facebook post and then declared not fit to practice is very detrimental to free speech.  Students with orthodox Christian views are being told that they aren’t fit to practice. For religious people who believe now what most people used to believe, it can be a bar to office.”

Sarah Hannett, representing Sheffield university in this case, has explained the University’s view that Felix “posted comments on a Facebook page that were against the lifestyle choices of lesbians, gay men and bisexuals”

The outcome of Felix Ngole’s case could have a significant impact on the regulation of future Social Workers and affect the way in which professionals are allowed to express views that are, for many people, in-keeping with traditional religious teachings.

Lawyers for the university said the decision to remove him from the course in early 2016 had been fair and proportionate.

But the Christian Legal Centre - which is backing Mr Ngole's legal bid - said: 

The university's treatment of Felix fundamentally violates its responsibilities under human rights legislation. The university has failed to protect his freedom of speech ... and his freedom of religion. Felix is entitled to express his views, especially ones shared by millions of people around the world. Sadly, this is yet another case of Christians being punished in the public arena, and of censorship of views.