Don't believe in God? You're FIRED!

robinson

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Investigator finds reasonable grounds for claim of atheism firing

May 4, 2007

LEWISTON, Maine --An investigator for the Maine Human Rights Commission has found reasonable grounds for a manager's claim that he was fired from his job at DeCoster farms because he's an atheist.

Cacy Cantwell says Austin "Jack" DeCoster told him before he was fired that they might have to "part ways" because Cantwell didn't believe in God....

(more at link)

http://www.boston.com/news/local/ma...asonable_grounds_for_claim_of_atheism_firing/
 
That's going to be an expensive lesson in the legal ramifications of firing someone based on bigotry for the employer once it goes to court.

Education is always expensive.
 
i have always been afraid of that happening to me. so i dont say anything. i am sure it does happen.
 
It rarely happens, but if I'm asked at work about my beliefs, I say something like "I believe do unto others as you would have them do unto you is a good rule for everyone". And leave it at that. If pressed for more details, (I haven't been) I would say I would rather not discuss religion.

But, that's just me :)
 
I would probably say I am an atheist, though I do not say so without questioning, as my current education takes place mostly in seminaries. I would assume that the people I know would be cool wiht it, but see no reason to bring it up.
 
I'll never again tell anyone outside this board that I'm atheist.

I lost my chance to teach, in part because of that. It was only part, mind you, but I'm convinced my Fundie mentor used it against me after she swore she would not.

Unfortunately, I seem to have no legal standing as a student, so there was no lawsuit for me. (Yes, I spoke to attorneys.) More power to this guy. I hope he wins big.
 
Dunstan said:
Ahh... this is why God invented punitive damages.
Click to expand...

And I note:

Matthew 5:
38 "You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' 39 But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. 41 If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
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Hopefully this good Christian will follow the words of his lord.
 
I work at a private Christian/Pentecostal daycare center, and my boss knows very well I'm an atheist. There has been no problems whatsoever in regard to this.

I guess I should've gotten used to it by now, but I'm always shocked when I hear about the situation for atheists in the USA.
 
That's just crazy! Soooo glad I live in Australia.

Good luck to the guy, hope he fleeces his ex-employers!

Cheers,
TGHO
 
Assuming the atheist is telling the truth...slam dunk case.

Civil Rights Act 1964 Title VII:

(a) It shall be an unlawful employment practice for an employer -

(1) to fail or refuse to hire or to discharge any individual, or
otherwise to discriminate against any individual with respect to his
compensation, terms, conditions, or privileges of employment, because of
such individual's race, color, religion, sex, or national origin...
Click to expand...

The act only applies to employers with 15 or more employees though.
 
KingMerv00 said:
Assuming the atheist is telling the truth...slam dunk case.

Civil Rights Act 1964 Title VII:
(a) It shall be an unlawful employment practice for an employer -

(1) to fail or refuse to hire or to discharge any individual, or
otherwise to discriminate against any individual with respect to his
compensation, terms, conditions, or privileges of employment, because of
such individual's race, color, religion, sex, or national origin...
Click to expand...


The act only applies to employers with 15 or more employees though.
Click to expand...

But surely atheism isn't a religion in the same way not-stamp collecting isn't a hobby?
;)
 
sphenisc said:
But surely atheism isn't a religion in the same way not-stamp collecting isn't a hobby?
;)
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I know you are kidding but...

The government didn't really get philosophical about the whole issue. The EEOC was created to enforce the Civil Rights Act and their handbook declares atheism to have the same legal protections as Christianity, Islam, etc.
 
slingblade said:
I'll never again tell anyone outside this board that I'm atheist.

I lost my chance to teach, in part because of that. It was only part, mind you, but I'm convinced my Fundie mentor used it against me after she swore she would not.
Click to expand...

That just makes my blood boil.

My atheism is no secret to anyone. In fact, I often make it painfully obvious. It's a good thing people in Québec are more open about this than in the US; though the older ones sometimes look at me funny.
 
KingMerv00 said:
The act only applies to employers with 15 or more employees though.
Click to expand...


Oh ****, I hadn't considered that loophole. I work for a very small company (we've fluctuated between about 8 and 15 or so people for the last two years). I have this bumper sticker on my truck:
S-SorryMissedChu.jpg


At one point I received this godspam
A kid asked Jesus... how much do u love me? Jesus replied," I love you this much." and he stretched his arms to the cross and died for us. If you believe in God, you will send this to everyone on your list. If you delete this, you will have a cold heart in 2007. I like you because of who you are to me. I treat you as a true friend. But if I don't get this back, I get the hint. Send this to all people in your list within 30min and something good will happen to you NOW.
Click to expand...
It was originally sent from the president, then forwarded by one of the 'Executive Assistants'.

Of course, I ignored it, but filed it away just in case...
 
Things HAVE improved over time. It used to be:

Don't believe in God? BURN HIM ALIVE!!
 
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