Police haven’t a clue about Spiritualism
Spiritualists are used to being derided for their beliefs, so it is excellent news that an industrial tribunal has upheld such beliefs as religious views that deserve respect.
A Manchester Police employee, Alan Power, who lost his job after just three weeks because of his belief in mediumship and life after death , was wrongly dismissed, an appeal court in central London has decided.
The 62-year-old Spiritualist, of Birkenhead, worked for Greater Manchester Police in October last year but was apparently sacked for claiming that psychics should be used to crack crimes, and also for “his current work in the psychic field”.
Mr Power’s claim for unfair dismissal was upheld at an earlier hearing in Manchester, when Judge Peter Russell ruled that his viewpoint was “capable of being religious beliefs” covered by the Employment Equality (Religion or Belief) Regulations 2003.
Greater Manchester Police appealed, arguing that his views “did not amount to a religious or philisophical viewpoint”, but failed to change the original decision. Their appeal was dismissed when the case came before Judge Peter Clark at an employment hearing in London.
The decision has been heralded as “a landmark ruling”. Mark Hill, QC, for the police authority, had argued that the ruling could open the floodgates to a series of similar claims.
“In this case I am satisfied that, in common with other Spiritualists, the claimant believes in the existence of a God, that there is life after death and that the dead can be contacted through mediums,” Judge Clark said.
“I am satisfied that such beliefs are capable of being religious beliefs for the purpose of the 2003 regulations. I am satisfied the claimant’s beliefs in life after death and that the dead can be contacted through mediums are religious and/or philosophical beliefs.
“There’s no suggestion that the claimant does not genuinely believe in the tenets of the faith,” Judge Clark added. “Mr Hill has wholly failed to persuade me that such a conclusion is entirely perverse. Mr Hill further contends that Judge Russell’s reasoning was inadequate. I disagree.”
The verdict should come as no surprise to those with a knowledge of Spiritualism. It is, after all, a recognised religion with its own churches and ministers, who perform a range of duties, including weddings and funerals.
The hearing was told that Spiritualism is the eighth largest faith group in Britain, with 32,000 adherents, according to the 2001 Census.
“It’s fantastic,” Alan Power said after the hearing. “It proves Spiritualism is a religion worthy of respect. It’s about hurt feelings. I expect my religion to be respected.”
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