For nearly 20 years, Mary Onuoha enjoyed working as a nurse at a hospital in England.
But when she was asked by hospital management to remove her cross necklace – she refused.
And instead of just letting Mary continue to wear her cross, the hospital fired her – and just wait until you hear the rest of her story.
Of course, the hospital insists they only asked her to “hide her cross” because of “safety concerns”…
… yet Mary pointed out how her fellow coworkers wore jewelry without a problem.
She noted her Hindu coworkers wore red bracelets on their wrists, and other members were allowed to go to a mosque four times a day – all to honor and practice their religious freedom.
But when it came to Mary professing her faith in Christ and wearing a small cross necklace… she simply wasn’t allowed.
Naturally, Mary takes her faith seriously, and spoke of the meaningful reason why she wanted to keep her cross on her body.
International Christian Concern reported:
“This has always been an attack on my faith,” Mrs. Onuoha said,
“My cross has been with me for 40 years. It is part of me, and my faith, and it has never caused anyone any harm.”
Sadly, Christians around the world continue to be attacked for their faith.
Other religions are allowed to honor their customs and traditions…
… but Christians are demanded to do everything from shut their church doors to not pray in schools.
Even a little 7-year-old was disciplined for wearing a mask that said “Jesus Loves Me” to school.
As for Mary, the hospital demoted her from a nurse to a receptionist and told her if she still didn’t hide or remove her cross, they’d investigate her.
Mary stayed true to her convictions and kept wearing her cross, even though she faced consequences at work.
International Christian Concern continued:
“From a young age I naturally always wanted to care for people – it was in my blood. All I have ever wanted is to be a nurse and to be true to my faith. I am a strong woman, but I have been treated like a criminal.
I love my job, but I am not prepared to compromise my faith for it, and neither should other Christian [National Health Service] staff in this country.”
All around the world, we are coming to a place where Christians are being forced to choose between keeping their jobs or denying Christ.
A school teacher recently quit after her school district demanded she adopt LGBT policies and start using “transgender” pronouns with her students.
Another woman in India was denied a job, even though she was more than qualified, once her boss found out she was a Christian.
God tells us in His Word that we WILL be persecuted as His disciples.
And as believers, we need to pray that should the day come when we are forced to choose between our job or staying true to our faith – that we’ll stand strong and boldly refuse to give in.
Mary decided to take legal action against the hospital and is being represented by Christian Concern, a UK religious liberty group.
Let’s pray she has a win – but even if not – we commend her for her conviction to do the right thing, even in the face of adversity.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” – John 3:16-17
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