Toni Richardson, an employee of the Augusta School Department, “was disciplined by the school department after trying to offer words of encouragement to a co-worker, who also attends her church, by telling him she would pray for him” (“Augusta ed tech says school department discriminated against her for telling colleague ‘I will pray for you’,” May 17). At her “interrogation” she was handed a “coaching memorandum” specifying what language might be deemed discriminatory in the public schools. Alas, has it come to that?
The case against Richardson is, in essence, a statement of contempt towards people of faith — specifically, those who profess the Christian faith. There is, after all, little evidence that secular institutions have targeted non-Christian faiths. Other religions are virtually immune to the widespread crackdown on bakers, florists and photographers — to say nothing of public school employees.
“The law is clear; employers cannot discriminate against employees who privately discuss their faith while at work,” said Timothy Woodcock of the Maine law firm Eaton Peabody.
Brian Stuckey
Denver, Colorado
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