Well I learned recently that a government Minister, who shall remain nameless, demanded that a non-religious belief group seek the consent of the Church of England before the Government would consider acknowledging their human rights in law under Article 9(1) of the
European Convention on Human Rights [link to pdf document]. You can bet the CoE would express outrage if they were subject to similar requirement viz, say, the National Secular Society!
What we have is a clear violation of the rights and freedoms of the non-religious by this government, who whilst consulting the religious about such things as providing public services and the "right" of the faithful to opt out of providing services to those they disapprove of, ignore their obligations towards the whole population. They wilfully ignore Article 9(2) of the above Convention, which constrains any freedom to manifest, etc., ones belief (whether religious or philosophical) where it seeks to impinge upon or deny
the rights and freedoms of others. This is most typically demonstrated in Ministers stating that Bill X complies with the
Human Rights Act 1998 when in a number of cases it clearly violates it!
Article 9 - Freedom of thought, conscience and religion
(1) Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion;
this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief and freedom,
either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief, in worship, teaching, practice and
observance.
(2) Freedom to manifest one's religion or beliefs shall be subject only to such limitations as are prescribed by law and are necessary in a democratic society in the interests of public safety, for the protection of public order, health or morals, or for the protection of the rights and freedoms of others.
