Christian teacher jailed after refusing to use gender-neutral pronouns has been told he will remain behind bars at Christmas after telling a court he should not be jailed for his views on “transgenderism”.

A Christian teacher jailed for refusing to use gender neutral pronouns has been told he will be behind bars over Christmas.

Enoch Burke was jailed in September after he refused to comply with a court order to stay away from Wilson’s Hospital School in County Westmeath, Ireland, where he works.

His school told him to stay out in August after he was suspended on full pay for refusing to address a transition student as “she” instead of “he,” citing his devout Christian beliefs that he said is against “transgenderism”.

But Mr. Burke ignored the order and continued to attend school, leading to his arrest.

Today, via video link from Mountjoy Prison in Dublin, Mr Burke asked the judge to release him for the festive period.

He told Judge Conor Digham that he was “not a thief, murderer or drug dealer” and was in prison because of his Christian faith.

But the judge refused to release Mr Burke because he was unwilling to comply with the court order.

However, Burke can always be released as long as he clears his contempt of court.

He told the court he would not do so as it would be a breach of his duty to God and his core Christian beliefs.

He again pleaded in court that he was “not a criminal” and requested them to “release me before Christmas”.

“I am in prison because of my faith,” he told the court.

Enoch Burke (pictured on September 5 being arrested at Bridewell Garda train station) was arrested in September for breaching a court order not to teach or be physically present at his school in Westmeath.

Mr. Burke, who teaches history and German, was expelled from Wilson’s Hospital School in Westmeath (pictured) for refusing to address a transition pupil as ‘she’ rather than ‘he’.

Mr. Burke’s parents, Sean and Martina, were outraged by their son’s jail sentence.

Sean Burke, who was present in court, said his son was not a criminal but had just grown up in a Christian home.

He added that his son is being unfairly persecuted for his objection to “transgenderism,” which is based on the Bible “from the book of Genesis to Revelation.”

Mr Burke’s mother, Martina, told the court: “Shame on you” and that they would be judged by “God Almighty”.

Martina Burke also told the court that the case is “all about transgenderism” and that her son is being denied his constitutional right to express his Christian faith.

The judge said he refused to deal with Mr. Burke’s parents argue.

Enoch Burke also said he was denied the opportunity to speak with his legal counsel, his sister Ammi Burke.

He also wanted to know why the court refused to see him in person and instead was forced to appear via video link.

Mr Burke has been behind bars since September this year after failing to comply with an order from the Irish High Court.

A full High Court hearing is expected to take place in the near future to decide his future

He will now be heard before the High Court at a later date, which has yet to be confirmed. Until then, he remains in custody unless he agrees to comply with the stay-away-from-school order.

Mr. In his earlier court appearance in September, Burch recalled his criticism of his school’s edict on the use of the pronoun “she.”

He said he raised his issue at a service in June 2022: “I said it was against Scripture and the teachings of all churches. My views on transgenderism are based on my religious beliefs.

“The suspension and the steps the school has taken against me are unreasonable, unfair, unjust and illegal. Freedom of conscience and religion is enshrined in the Irish Constitution.”

Rosemary Mallon, who represented the school in court in September, told the court that Mr Burke was solely responsible for being in prison and that he would “go back to class” if he succeeded in having his suspension overturned to get.

She also stressed that Mr Burke’s detention was not because of his views on “transgenderism”, but because he had breached a court order.

Ms Mallon said: “The fact that he is in prison is Mr Burke’s business.

“Mr. Burke has decided not to obey the orders of this honorable court. Mr. Burke has decided not to shake off his contempt. When this order is given, it goes back to the classroom. Mr. Burke wants it have.

“This will cause great concern for the school and upset the pupils. There may be no further disturbance.’

Enoch Burch told the court: “It seems to me I could be a Christian in Mountjoy Prison or a heathen and supporter of transgenderism outside. I know where I belong In the photo he will appear in court on September 7, 2022

After refusing to waive his contempt of court plea in September, Mr Burke said: “If this court so rules, I will never leave Mountjoy Prison if I have my well-informed conscience and my religious beliefs in mind when I’m not leaving prison.” and deny my God.

“It seems to me I can be a Christian in Mountjoy Prison or a heathen and supporter of transgenderism outside. I know where I belong

“My faith has brought me to this place and will keep me there, God help me.”

He told the court that if he was faced with that choice “every hour of every day for the next 100 years”, he would answer the question the same way.

Mr Burke added: “This court is trying to deprive me of my religious belief.”

He also claimed there was an “unlawful attempt” to prosecute him for opposing “transgenderism” and the court is depriving him of his freedom and dignity.

He added: “I have had a lot of time to reflect on my actions and behavior that have brought me to this place and far from finding instances of wrongdoing, let alone gross wrongdoing. I found my actions commendable and I had the courage to respond to the director who told her being transgender was child abuse and a violation of my constitutional rights to free expression of religious beliefs.”