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A relationship counsellor's bid to challenge his sacking for refusing to give sex therapy to gay couples has been turned down by the High Court.Gary McFarlane, 48, from Bristol, was sacked by Relate Avon in 2008. He claimed the service had refused to accommodate his Christian beliefs.
Lord Justice Laws said legislation for the protection of views held purely on religious grounds cannot be justified.
He said it was irrational and "also divisive, capricious and arbitrary".
Mr McFarlane said after the hearing that the decision not to let him appeal against the ruling left him "disappointed and upset".
'Strongly-held'
"I have the ability to provide counselling services to same sex couples," he said.
"However, because of my Christian beliefs and principles, there should be allowances taken in to account whereby individuals like me can actually avoid having to contradict their very strongly-held Christian principles."
Former Archbishop of Canterbury Lord Carey had earlier called for judges with a "proven sensitivity and understanding of religious issues" to hear the case.
Lord Carey said recent decisions involving Christians by the courts had used "dangerous" reasoning and this could lead to civil unrest.
Lord Justice Laws said Lord Carey's views were "misplaced" and judges had never likened Christians to bigots, or sought to equate condemnation by some Christians of homosexuality with homophobia.
He said it was possible that Lord Carey's "mistaken suggestions" arose from a misunderstanding of the law on discrimination.
'Respecting all clients'
As to his concerns over a lack of sensitivity on the part of the judiciary, Lord Justice Laws said this appeared to be an argument that the courts ought to be more sympathetic to the substance of Christian beliefs and be ready to uphold and defend them.
Mr McFarlane started training with Relate in May 2003 and said he enjoyed good relationships with clients and colleagues.
He was suspended in October 2007 after meetings with his manager, in which he claimed he was asked to state his views regarding same-sex couples. He was later sacked.
Last November Mr MacFarlane lost his appeal against unfair dismissal.
Relate chief executive Claire Tyler said: "This judgement today validates, once again, Relate's commitment to providing all members of the public full access to our services.
"For Relate, this case isn't about pitching religious or sexual rights against each other but is about the importance of giving every single client impartial, unbiased and empathetic counselling and sex therapy.
"Relate is committed to respecting all religious beliefs working within the organisation and also respecting our clients, regardless of age, gender, colour, religion, relationship status or sexual orientation, who often need complex advice and assistance.
"Relate helps 150,000 clients each year and nothing can damage or undermine the principles of trust and respect that underpins our work."This article is from the BBC News website. ? British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.