Written by Don ByrdA jury awarded $170,000 to teacher Christa Dias yesterday in an employment discrimination suit after she was fired for being pregnant while unmarried (via in vitro fertilization). Her employer was the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, which now may argue the case should never have gotten to a jury due to the ministerial exception, which exempts religious employers from discrimination laws regarding employees with a ministerial role.
Written by Don ByrdWith the passing of U.S. Senator Frank Lautenberg (NJ-D), the American people have lost a champion of religious liberty. Rabbi David Saperstein of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism offered his thoughts,
Written by Don ByrdThe Equal Employment Opportunity Commission filed suit against Star Trucking Company over their refusal to accommodate Muslim drivers’ objection to delivering alcohol. The drivers were ultimately fired rather when, according to the complaint, accommodation would not have provided an undue hardship to the employers.
Written by Don ByrdThe City Council of Mobile, Alabama cited traffic and parking concerns in denying an Islamic Center’s request for expansion. Echoing controversies in Murfreesboro, TN and New York, this dispute pitting religious freedom against zoning regulations may be headed to court as well.
Written by Don ByrdTexas’ Kountze School District has decided to appeal a state judge’s decision after all in a controversial case involving religious banners created by cheerleaders for high school football games. The news is something of a surprise since the School District claimed to agree with the judge’s decision allowing the banners to continue. But school officials claim they need guidance moving forward.
Written by Don ByrdThe class president at Kentucky’s Lincoln County High School received a standing ovation after praying during his graduation speech. Several were not cheering though, including the six students who begged their principal not to turn their only high school commencement into a religious ceremony.
