Independent: Man sacked for belief in psychics backed by judge (but, of course, he knew that would happen)

A police worker who was sacked because he believed psychics can help solve criminal investigations is to go to court today to defend his right to legal protection from religious discrimination…

In Mr Power’s case Judge Peter Russell, sitting at Manchester Employment Tribunal, said: “I am satisfied that the claimant’s beliefs that there is life after death and that the dead can be contacted through mediums are worthy of respect in a democratic society and have sufficient cogency, seriousness, cohesion and importance to fall into the category of a philosophical belief for the purpose of the 2003 [Employment Equality (Religion or Belief)] Regulations.”

Read the judge’s words carefully: “beliefs that there is life after death and that the dead can be contacted through mediums are worthy of respect in a democratic society”.

Bollocks.

While we should respect everyone’s right to hold whatever crackpot beliefs they might choose, to say that such beliefs are worthy of respect is utter nonsense. For example, the BNP’s Nick Griffin is fully entitled to believe whatever racist horse crap he likes—and I would defend his right to do so—but to say that his beliefs are worthy of respect is, as I said, bollocks.

I find it rather worrying that a judge—or, rather, the English legal system—apparently can’t see the difference.

Mr Power, your religious beliefs are nuttier than squirrel shit, but you are perfectly entitled to hold them.