From: roger@hayter.org 
  
 On 7 Aug 2025 at 14:23:51 BST, "JNugent"  wrote: 
  
 > On 07/08/2025 01:58 PM, Jethro_uk wrote: 
 > 
 >> Apropos of the thread about the equality act and protected beliefs, and a 
 >> statement that court rulings have mandated that for a belief to be 
 >> protected it must be "worthy of debate in a democratic society", then how 
 >> does the matter of people sincerely held belief that the earth is flat 
 >> fit in ? 
 > 
 > Is there anything preventing the matter from being debated? 
 > 
 >> ... 
 >> 
 >> Under the Equality Act 2010, €€€religion or belief€€€ is a protected 
 >> characteristic. But not all beliefs qualify for protection. UK courts 
 >> apply a legal test known as the Grainger criteria, first set out in 
 >> Grainger plc v Nicholson (2010), which states a belief must: 
 >> 
 >> Be genuinely held. 
 >> 
 >> Be a belief, not just an opinion or viewpoint based on information. 
 >> 
 >> Concern a weighty and substantial aspect of human life and behaviour. 
 >> 
 >> Attain a certain level of cogency, seriousness, cohesion, and importance. 
 >> 
 >> Be worthy of respect in a democratic society, not incompatible with human 
 >> dignity, and not conflict with the fundamental rights of others. 
 > 
 > But belief in a flat earth (not that anyone sincerely believes it) is 
 > not a religious belief on any footing. 
 > 
 > Even Genesis doesn't mention the Earth as a planet or a sphere. Neither 
 > does it make a claim for flatness. 
  
 If it were a religious belief (as defined by the courts) it would not have 
 to 
 prove that it was worthy of respect in a democratic society. Indeed, many 
 religious beliefs aren't. The Grainger tests apply to non-religious beliefs. 
  
  
 -- 
  
 Roger Hayter 
  
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