Relate fires Christian counselor

If you've not been following the story, here's a brief recap:
In brittain, Gary McFarlane worked for Relate as a counselor, then later as a psychosexual therapist. When the question came up regarding giving sexual therapy advice to homosexual couples, MaFarlane said that he could not do so due to his Christian convictions. Relate fired him. McFarlane filed a grievance for unlawful dismissal and lost (although he sort of won since Relate had not followed proper paperwork procedures.)

Now, the question is, was his firing justified? Let's see:
* McFarlane had faithfully served his employer since 2003;
* he did not refuse to serve his clients, just refused to offer advice to homosexual couples to help them perform sex acts on each other, which is against his personal convictions;
* No cases had been assigned to him, Relate fired him because of what he said he was uncomfortable doing;
* Relate was asking an established employee to act in a manner which would have made him personally uncomfortable and would have resulted in less than exemplairary service to their clients;
* McFarlane did not refuse to see other clients, only those with whom he was uncomfortable.

Since then, bloggists and "journalists" have said:
* "who lost his job with Relate because his homophobia – er, religious convictions – came into conflict with his duties. "
* Christian convictions do not equal homophobia. Christian convictions include trying to follow the precepts of Christianity, which direct followers to not judge or condemn, but to not lead others into what is considered wrong. McFarlane was not attacking homosexuals (as many have attacked him since), he was refusing to go against his convictions by guiding others into what he considered wrong

* "They are seeking to place Christian dogma over the rights of people to fair treatment. They must not succeed."

Why would Relate want to force a counselor to work with clients he could not give his best efforts to? As I understand their program they are not strictly a gay marriage service. Why wouldn't they assign gay couples to a therapist who was most qualified - in skills, experience, and attitude - to serve their needs? Why force a competent therapist to address cases outside his expertise? Just point him to the majority of their clients - straight couples - and let all the other counselors take turns serving the few gay couples.

There was no need to fire a qualified therapist, just use him to his best ability.

Because of my father's destruction by alcoholism, I am not well qualified to serve alcoholics. I don't hate them or wish them ill, I am just not the best counselor for them. When alcoholics ask for my help, I refer them to other counselors who are more able to serve their needs. Period. I hope I will not be fired for refusing to serve someone I could not offer top rate service to.

Convictions are convictions. They alter our ability to deal at peak with some. Just move on.