Interview

A school counsellor was fired for her Christian views on marriage

Gozen Soydag, a former school counsellor at St. Anne's Catholic High School, was dismissed in February 2023 for publicly sharing her traditional Christian views on marriage. Recently, the court rejected all of her claims, but Ms. Soydag plans to appeal, arguing that she was discriminated against for her faith.

 

In February 2023, Miss Soydag, who has a significant social media following of over 30,000, was fired after expressing her Christian beliefs about marriage online. Although the school emphasizes its adherence to Canon Law and Catholic teachings, the headteacher felt that Miss Soydag’s views were incompatible with the school’s values.

This decision followed concerns over posts that some interpreted as reflecting misogynistic views on a woman’s role in marriage. Ms. Soydag clarified that her posts were meant to spark discussion, not dictate an ideal way of life. She explained that her beliefs, grounded in scripture, position a wife as a helper in fulfilling the family’s vision, with each family’s dynamic being unique. She also emphasized empowering women to understand their purpose, which would help them make informed choices about marriage.

In an interview with The Telegraph, Miss Soydag expressed feeling marginalized, stating that while diversity is often celebrated in the workplace, her Christian beliefs were excluded, and she felt persecuted. She also told The Daily Mail that her faith was being unfairly stigmatized, claiming that Christianity is being “rejected” in society today.

Miss Soydag is suing the school for unfair dismissal, harassment, discrimination, and violation of her human rights due to her religious beliefs. However, the Watford Employment Tribunal dismissed all her claims, arguing that her public statements about the nuclear family could make students from diverse backgrounds feel “devalued.” She has vowed to appeal the decision.

Source: telegraph.co.uk

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