Religion can't be used to justify workplace discrimination, court rules

[yallerdawg]

"Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and unto God the things that are God's."

Source: NBC News, by Julie Moreau


This week saw two major developments in federal anti-discrimination law as it relates to LGBTQ workers and religious freedom. On Wednesday, the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals found that a transgender employee, who was fired after coming out to her boss, was unlawfully discriminated against. That same day, Lambda Legal filed an appeal in the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on behalf of a man whose employment offer was rescinded when his prospective employer learned of his sexual orientation.

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In a 3-0 decision, the court sided with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission [EEOC] and transgender employee Aimee Stephens, who was fired from a Detroit funeral home after she informed her employer that she was transgender and beginning her transition. The court ruled that Title VII protects trans workers and that an employer’s religious beliefs cannot be used to justify discrimination.

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The same day the 6th Circuit ruled in favor of Stephens and the EEOC, Lambda Legal filed an appeal in the 8th Circuit on behalf of health care salesman Mark Horton, whose offer of employment at Midwest Geriatric Management (MGM) in Missouri was rescinded when his prospective employer learned of Horton’s sexual orientation. Omar Gonzalez-Pagan, a staff attorney at Lambda Legal, said the owners of MGM rescinded the offer because they believed Horton’s sexual orientation did not conform to their faith.

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With respect to potential opposition from the government, Gonzalez-Pagan said, “We’ll see what happens.”

"[The Department of Justice] has been rebuffed at every turn with how to apply anti-discrimination law," he said. "I think their political agenda has clouded their legal judgment and that is what has been demonstrated by these cases.”


Read it all at: https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/religion-can-t-be-used-justify-workplace-discrimination-court-rules-n854971


The originator of separation of Church and State?

[AtheistCrusader]

1. If your comment is useful and accurate, why did this church have to go to court to figure it out?

A secular instrument of justice had to stop them.


I don't think i'd claim credit like you just did, if I were in your position.

[yallerdawg]

2. I'm not in any "position."

You're the one with the rigid dogma.

[AtheistCrusader]

3. Says you.

Maybe you should help your friends since they seem so out of band with your claimed understanding of the new testament.

[Cartoonist]

4. So your position is . . .

People of faith are hypocrites.
We already know that.

[yallerdawg]

5. Keep telling me what I think.

Goes hand in hand with telling me what I should think.

I'm all about tolerance and inclusiveness! Keep reminding me!

[Cartoonist]

6. I only know what you post

This OP tells us about people of faith being assholes. So what was your point?

[yallerdawg]

7. Am I an asshole for posting this?

There are people of faith on both sides of the issues.

Only "godless irreligious" can separate secular law and personal belief - set a standard that isn't discriminatory?

That's my point.

[Cartoonist]

8. I'm not seeing it

I see a question mark at the end of that sentence, but I don't see a question. My brain hurts just trying to make sense of that sentence.

[yallerdawg]

9. Well, I won't be hurting your brain anymore.