London, England - A Christian magistrate who felt forced to resign because he opposes adoption by gay couples has lost his appeal but vows to fight on.
Andrew McClintock, a Christian magistrate who felt compelled to resign over his views on gay adoption
Andrew McClintock told an employment appeal tribunal earlier this month that he had suffered discrimination because the courts refused to allow him to opt out of cases involving such adoptions.
He also argued that placing children with gay parents was an "experiment in social science" that was not necessarily in their best interests.
But the Department for Constitutional Affairs, which is responsible for magistrates courts, said that judges could not pick and choose which cases they heard.
Mr McClintock, 63, from Sheffield, said that he was "deeply disappointed" with the tribunal's decision, but said that he would now go to the Court of Appeal.
He said that his Christian beliefs had been known to his fellow magistrates and court officials for the 18 years he had sat as a magistrate.
"It was no surprise to them that when the Civil Partnerships Act enabled same-sex couples to adopt and become foster carers, I was simply seeking some form of recusal from cases where I would be forced to act contrary to my conscience," he said.
"The Lord Chancellor's office is advertising for new magistrates from all sections of the community, but unless they are prepared to take into account the legitimate conscience needs of magistrates from Christian backgrounds, and others, they could well see not only a huge drop in recruitment but resignations from serving magistrates."
Andrea Minichiello Williams, for Christian Concern for the Nation, which is supporting Mr McClintock's legal action, said: "There is a prevailing secularist agenda which is pushing faith to the sidelines and quashing freedom of speech.
"In effect, Christians are being asked to leave their deeply held convictions and views at home and become someone else when they arrive at work or offer themselves for public service."