A Christian lecturer is challenging his dismissal from a Bible College over a social media post in which he expressed his evangelical beliefs on sexuality.
Dr Aaron Edwards has argued that he was discriminated against, harassed, and unfairly dismissed from Cliff College in Derbyshire in 2023 for a social media post on X, in which he wrote that “Homosexuality is invading the Church. Evangelicals no longer see the severity of this b/c they’re busy apologising for their apparently barbaric homophobia, whether or not it’s true. This is a ‘Gospel issue’, by the way. If sin is no longer sin, we no longer need a Saviour.”
The post caused a social media storm, and Edwards clarified that he didn't believe it was ‘homophobic,’ but a message addressed to evangelicals who felt they couldn’t agree with him publicly for fear of backlash.
His dismissal from Cliff College was upheld by a Sheffield Tribunal, and he's now seeking further grounds to appeal.
Dr Edwards said the impact has had a significant impact on him and his family. He has not been employed as a Bible College lecturer since, and evidence presented in court in June 2024 revealed he was admitted to hospital with cardiac symptoms due to stress.
Following his sacking, he and his wife, who now have six children, were forced to move out of their home and rely on crowdfunding to cover basic living costs while making new long-term plans.
Speaking ahead of the hearing, Dr Edwards said:
"My legal case is essentially about challenging compromise. Cliff College seems to think you can still brand yourself 'evangelical' while thinking or saying nothing about the threat to the Gospel posed by the radical incursions of LGBT ideology into previously faithful denominations, churches, and colleges today. They fail to see that compromise is 'a gospel issue.'"
"While the Court of Appeal granted us a hearing on select grounds, this week’s hearing is about our refusal to compromise on the grounds of appeal hitherto denied us."
Andrea Williams, Chief Executive of the Christian Legal Centre, commented:
“Dr Edwards was dismissed for expressing an entirely mainstream Christian belief grounded in biblical morality. This is not a marginal or extremist view, but one protected under UK equality and human rights law.”
In a statement to Premier Christian News Cliff College's Principal, Andrew Stobart said: "The unanimous judgment of the Employment Tribunal in 2024 dismissed all of the claims made by Dr Edwards. During that process, we chose not to engage publicly with the many claims that were made and broadcast in public and social media. Those claims were shown to be unfounded, and the College, by contrast, was judged reasonable and proportionate in its actions. As Dr Edwards’ appeal against the Tribunal’s judgment is ongoing, we will not be making any further comment at this time."