A court has ruled that a chastity ring worn by a 16-year-old girl as a reminder of her pledge to remain a virgin until marriage is not an appropriate manifestation of her Christian beliefs. The court ruled her school is entitled to forbid her from wearing the ring. Her family was told they have to pay court costs of about $24,000. Her father, a pastor, said, “This country is tolerant of any views, except those of Christians.”

As if to confirm his observation, a tribunal ruled that a Church of England bishop was wrong to question an applicant for the role of a youth worker because he is a homosexual. Rev. Anthony Priddis had interviewed the man and asked him about a previous relationship male relationship. Priddis said he acted in accordance with the teachings of the Church of England and that the man’s lifestyle “has the potential to impact on the spiritual, moral and ethical leadership within the diocese.”

And then there’s the story of another high court which ruled against the slaughter of a cow with tuberculosis because the cow is worshipped by an English Hindu community. And to think England once had a proud and powerful Christian heritage.

Cal Thomas is a nationally syndicated columnist based in Washington, D.C.