North Somerset Council recognised that it can be appropriate for a tutor to share their faith with a pupil or a family, depending on the situation.
In November Mrs Jones, who is 54, had shared her faith with a sick pupil after asking the pupil's mother whether she could pray for the child. She has had considerable experience in such informal pastoring. Moreover, she had enjoyed a good relationship with the pupil and her family.
A non-involved third party had made a complaint, and the decision had been made by the school to remove her from the supply (relief) list. Olive Jones said that she felt as though she had committed a crime.
The Christian Legal Service got involved in this situation amidst national publicity and alarm, and found that there had not even been a formal investigation. It claimed that the decision to dismiss had been a knee jerk reaction from an unsubstantiated complaint.
Andrea Williams, the director of the Christian Legal Service, has these words of caution: "We will continue to support people like Olive, who should never have to face this kind of disproportionate action and discrimination for merely living out their Christian faith."
The question therefore, asks Well-Being Australia chairman Mark Tronson, is at what point in every day life might any committed Christian, simply talking about their life as a follower of Christ, or even offering to pray for someone they care about, break some kind of perceived 'political correctness' for which they could be vilified or lose their livelihood.
M V Tronson suggests that Christians think about the following guidelines, to help them understand these issues.
Although every Christian person carries within him or her self the joyful challenge, to speak about their life as a follower of Jesus, in many parts of the world today, if they actually do this, they could face punitive action by the authorities. Therefore, Christians need to be mindful of the laws and customs of the countries they are visiting, or are resident in.
Of course, this is not the case in Australia and the western world, so it was not the case with Olive Jones. Due to our history where predecessors in the Christian walk were martyred, thus ensuring our essential freedoms so that 'telling others of Jesus' was nullified as a criminal offence.
Nevertheless, everyone needs to be considerate of others and their beliefs and attitudes. Just as we have freedom as Christians, those of every other faith have the same freedoms to practice and talk about their faiths. Therefore, warns M V Tronson, there are circumstances where being 'plain stupid' and inappropriately announcing Christian commitment might cause offence. Being astute and sensible is a responsibility for the Christian.
Within these guidelines, robust debate about such things in western society is part and parcel of democracy and Christians need to be conversant with their subject and become part of this community discussion. This can happen on a train, in a school P & C meeting, over a coffee with friends, in fact anywhere; as long as they do not deliberately offend (to make an offence) those who are obviously not being receptive to the message they are trying to tell.
Fifth, western societies are political in nature, they are not Christian Kingdoms, so getting involved in politics is important for those who are movers and shakers. There are times in which Christians need to use 'political correctness' in social issues to ensure the underprivileged get a fair go.
Sixth, the Christian needs to be aware that there are those who disagree ideologically with the Christian world view, and some will use 'political correctness' and any other means to oppose anything Christian within the public domain. This appears to be the the case in the Olive Jones situation. Nor should the Christian have a persecution complex as many people simply do not wish to be confronted with religious ideas.
A friend of M V Tronson's is not a Christian and doesn't want to lumped in or seen to be as one with committed Christians. Nothing sinister at all. This also needs to recognised and may require God's timing for a word in season.
To conclude, Mark Tronson suggests that Christians have confidence in prayer and in the workings of the Holy Spirit. The economy of God and the politics of man are intertwined. There are numerous Biblical examples of this, such as Joseph in Pharaohs court, Esther before the King and the Apostle Paul before Herod's court.
This confidence will help them realise when it is appropriate to share their faith to help others, and where it is 'politically incorrect' to speak out due to the sensitivities of others.