Michael Ireland writing for Assist News Service says the Reverend Masih, a Church of Scotland minister, was stood down after six years behind the microphone from a State-funded community radio station aimed at the Asian community because he angered its Muslim management.
http://www.assistnews.net/STORIES/2009/s09090012.htm
In this situation, the Reverend Masih and his supporters have sought a legal resolution, because they believe this was a clear case of discrimination. Andrea Williams, barrister and founder of the Christian Legal Centre said: "We are grateful for the brave decision of Employment Judge Williamson. This is a courageous ruling.
"We at the Christian Legal Centre believe passionately in the positive value of freedom of speech and will continue to fight to prevent the marginalization of Christians. Rev. Masih looks forward greatly to the European Court case as this will give Christians throughout Europe a unique opportunity to have their freedom to speak and live out their faith confirmed in law."
Jesus himself was very succinct on this subject of standing up to injustices. When he perceived hypocrisy, he upturned the money changers tables in the temple, and was none too polite calling the religious leaders 'whitewashed tombs'.
The Apostle Paul defended his position before the courts, when as a Roman citizen, he demanded his legal right to be judged before Caesar, in order to prevent a miscarriage of justice by local political and religious factions holding a biased trial that would, inevitably, have resulted in stoning.
A quite reasonable question therefore for Australian Christians to consider, is; "When is it appropriate to acquiesce in a situation, and when is the time to stand up for one's principles?"
Some Christians, when faced with a situation where they do not know whether to put themselves in the uncomfortable position of 'standing up for themselves'; a position which may bring some notoriety or even 'failure' if their action does not 'win their case', become confused.
In their minds, the idea of gaining justice (an obligation by the other party to treat you with fairness in order for you to get on with your job) may conflict with that of forgiveness. Forgiveness is perhaps the singular most poignant point in Christian teaching, in that when one person deliberately comes against another to do harm, the historical Christian response is to forgive.
This is where Christians may become confused, but this has nothing whatever to do with the Law. This Christian teaching on forgiveness has one caveat, in that Christians are equally instructed to be wise and prudent in their dealings, and therefore trusting the person who did the wrong becomes problematic.
In other words, the Christian deliberately wronged would be stupid beyond measure to immediately trust that same person with your most intimate secrets and resources, even though genuine forgiveness was given.
Christians can attest over and over that when deliberately wronged and forgiveness given, outcomes become strangely positive and the situation is 'sacred' to the heart of the forgiver.
How then, does this notion of 'obligation to treat another with fairness', become applicable?
Usually there is an expectation of this 'obligation to treat another with fairness' and in this Scottish case, this 'obligation' was determined by a Judge that it should have further legal exploration.
When the laws of the State are broken to wrong a Christian, the Christian has to decide whether he/she takes a matter to court or attempts to deal with it on a personal basis. If he/she has exhausted all avenues in the normal workplace or social situation, the court system can be his/her last resort.
In doing this, Christians need to consider whether is it out of self interest or whether a principle is involved that may help others in the future, who may be caught in the same net.
It is in this arena that the above Scottish scenario was played out. This notion of 'obligation to treat another with fairness' is therefore a very different issue to forgiveness. These two, seem to stand side by side as beacons of light throughout God's revelation.