Christianity is…worth standing up for? - 12 March 2009

A couple of weeks ago, a nurse in Somerset, Caroline Petrie was suspended from her job for praying for a patient. The patient reported it because although she wasn’t offended by it, she thought the local PCT, North Somerset Primary Care Trust should be aware of it.

This is political correctness gone mad. Interestingly, the serious press has taken up the nurse’s cause and the Daily Telegraph has launched a petition to support her. Last time I looked, 1121 people had commented on the article, and in the first 150 comments that I read, there were 2 people supporting the PCT. The majority of the commenters had no religious affiliation and some were openly atheistic, but took the view of ‘what harm can it do?’

A lawyer investigating the case believes that Caroline has had her human rights infringed under the Human Rights Act 1989 – interestingly, if a person of a different faith had said something, what would have happened?

Persecution for your faith is not a recent phenomenon. The bible is littered with stories of persecution.

‘But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.’  Matthew 5:39

And carries on through to v 44 talking about loving your enemies.

‘But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you’

The great news is that rather than apologizing and promising not to do it again, Caroline has said she will carry on doing it. And I suspect the same is true throughout the NHS – where there are many thousands of practicing Christians exercising their gifting of caring for people, and that includes praying for people.

I admire Caroline for standing up for what she believes – we are all called to do it, and she has done it in a very public way. My prayer for today is for Caroline, being thankful and in awe of her faithfulness and praying for the right outcome!