Four British Christians who claim they lost their jobs as a result of discrimination against their beliefs are taking their cases to the European Court of Human Rights.
They include an airline worker stopped from wearing a cross and a registrar who did not want to marry gay couples.
All four lost separate employment tribunals relating to their beliefs.
Secular critics have said a ruling in favour of the group could "seriously undermine" UK equality law.
A ruling is not expected from the European court for several weeks.
The cases involve:

  • Nadia Eweida, a Pentecostal Christian from Twickenham, south-west London, who was sent home by her employer British Airways in 2006 after refusing to remove a necklace with a cross
  • Devon-based nurse Shirley Chaplin, who was moved to a desk job by Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Trust Hospital for similar reasons
  • Gary McFarlane, a Bristol relationship counsellor, who was sacked by Relate after saying on a training course he might have had a conscientious objection to giving sex therapy advice to gay couples
  • Registrar Lilian Ladele, who was disciplined after she refused to conduct same-sex civil partnership ceremonies in north London



Each individual had made a separate application to the court, but the cases are being heard together.
Miss Eweida's lawyer, James Dingemans, said her employer had permitted other religious symbols to be worn.
He said: "She was working alongside colleagues who were able to wear religious symbols and attire including the Sikh turban, the Sikh bracelet, the Muslim hijab, and the Jewish skull cap.
BBC News - Christians take 'beliefs' fight to European Court of Human Rights