Human Dignity

"[Dismissed], not because of any realistic concerns over the rights and sensitivities of transgender individuals, but because of my refusal to make an abstract ideological pledge."
"If you believe in gender fluidity, gender is no more than one's own fantasy about oneself."
"As a Christian, there's a conflict between what society says is a human right and my inability to use pronouns in this way."
"The very fact a doctor can be pulled off the shop floor for an urgent interrogation about his beliefs on gender fluidity is both absurd and very sinister, even more so if it results in a dismissal."
"If something like that happened in a church setting -- people being pulled out of a pew, questioned, and then excommunicated -- that would be seen as an outrageous example of religious intolerance and bigotry."
"I am, of course, aware that there are men or women who believe they have been trapped in a wrong body and I do not question the sincerity of their convictions. A small number of such people have always existed."
"Up until recently, such a belief was considered by medics to be delusional and a symptom of a medical disorder."
"I appreciate that in the present political climate, some people, including some of those who believe they are transgender, may find my beliefs to be offensive. However, in a free society, this is not a good enough reason to censor my beliefs and coerce me to act contrary to my conscience."
"Moreover, as a doctor, my responsibility is always to act in good conscience in the best interest of the patients -- not to adopt various fancies, prejudices, or delusions, to avoid offence at all cost."
Dr. David Mackereth, 56, emergency doctor

Dr David Mackereth said he wanted "the right to practise medicine as a Christian doctor" PA Media

"[You must follow the] process as discussed in your training."
"If however you do not want to do this, we will respect  your decision and  your right to leave your contract."
James Owen, supervisor, Department of Work and Pensions (DWP), Midlands, Great Britain

Dr. Mackereth, a Christian evangelist and also a medical doctor was called into the office of his supervisor at the Department of Work and Pensions where he worked as a disability benefits assessor. He was asked by Centre manager, James Owen how he would react in a hypothetical situation. That situation seemed quite implausible to Dr. Mackereth, informed both by his religious belief and his profession as a medical doctor.

How the question was framed was whether he would be agreeable, should a "six-foot-tall bearded man request of him to be addressed as "madam", or "Mrs.", to oblige accordingly. To most people such a request from such a source would represent a risible absurdity. Dr. Mackereth frankly responded that a request of this nature would be one he would be incapable of honouring. Who, quite honestly, would?

"If  you have a man, six foot tall with a beard, who says he wants to be addressed as 'she' and 'Mrs.' would you do that?" appears to be the verbatim quote in Dr. Mackereth's suit against the government agency at an employment tribunal alleging discrimination on the grounds of his religious belief. Dr. Mackereth made it clear to the Birmingham hearing that he believes transgenderism is a "delusional belief" representing an ideology "which I disbelieve and detest". Many would add 'amen' to that.

As a theologian with thirty years of medical experience, his position as a health and disability assessor began in May of 2018 at an assessment centre. An assignment that didn't last very long, given his suspension a month later when the "interrogation" by his supervisor resulting in his refusal to "call any six-foot-tall bearded man 'madam' on his whim", lost him that position. The tribunal was informed by Dr. Mackereth he was aware he would be "overwhelmingly likely" to lose his job without committing himself to the use of female pronouns in reference to an obvious physical male.

June 25, 2018 was his final day at work following an email exchange with Mr. Owen which instructed the doctor to follow the "process as discussed in your training". The consequence of not doing so was made abundantly clear when the following statement obliquely went on to spell out failure to comply would indicate Dr. Mackereth's "....right to leave your contract".

And while the doctor insists it was not his decision to resign his position, that he was victimized through direct discrimination and harassment, the Department of Work and Pension responds with the argument that Dr. Mackereth's views breach the 2010 Equality Act. The recruitment company which hired the doctor for the DWP stated the doctor's beliefs "are not compatible with human dignity".

Their views on human dignity and related lack of respect for Dr. Mackereth's have earned them a prominent place in the doctor's suit for religious discrimination. Dr. Mackereth's world and professional view remains that transgenderism represents a "rebellion against God, which is both pointless and sinful". Remove the reference to a spirit and replace it with Nature, and many would agree.

"If you have a man, six foot tall with a beard, who says he wants to be addressed as 'she' and 'Mrs.', would you do that?"    Getty Images