Four Christians from Great Britain who lost their jobs as a result of discrimination against their Christian faith are taking their cases to the European Court of Human Rights in an attempt to stop infringement on the right to exercise their faith.

Secular critics of the four Christians are saying that if their right to practice their faith is upheld, it could “seriously undermine” UK equality laws. All four cases were submitted separately to the Court but are going to be heard together.

Evidence being presented include the case of Nadia Eweida who was ordered to remove her necklace containing a cross in 2006. British Airways made this demand while allowing Sikh turbans and bracelets, Muslim hijabs and the Jewish skull cap.

The group claims that the actions by the UK government and businesses violate Article 9 of the European Convention on Human Rights and Article 14 that outlaws discrimination based upon religious belief.