Posted on 08/07/2014 2:04:04 PM PDT by don-o
(RNN) - A North Carolina diner that gained national attention for offering a discount to diners who prayed before their meal has now rescinded the offer.
Craig Marimpietri tweeted a photo from Mary’s Gourmet Diner in Winston-Salem, NC where a sign noted that “while you may exercise your right of religious freedom, by praying over your meal…we must protect your freedom from religion in a public place.” The restaurant is no longer issuing the discount because, "it is illegal and we are being threatened by lawsuit."
In an interview with Greensboro, NC’s News & Record newspaper, Annie Laurie Gaylor, co-president of the Freedom From Religion Foundation said that the group didn't threaten a lawsuit against the diner, but pointed out that it is illegal to “charge an atheist more than a Christian."
(Excerpt) Read more at wjhl.com ...
It's right next to the section covering abortion rights.
Yeah, that’s even worse, from a legal standpoint, as they could be accused of running an illegal lottery as well.
Not sure how it is discrimination, since regardless if you are atheist or not, you get the same discount if you pray over your meal. It’s not like they made any demands about what hte prayer is.
I understand the reasoning that they can’t afford the litigation. And in this day and age, I am sure some judge would agree.
Too bad.
It’s illegal to show preferential treatment to customers based on religious affiliation. They’re big problem really was making it server’s discretion, if they’d just made it all prayer they probably would have been OK. Of course then you open the door for all kinds of weird behavior as people who think it’s a silly discount come up with loud disturbing “prayers”.
What about “ladies’ nights” and “children pay their weight” promotions?
“Ladies nights” would seem to be illegal under Federal law, as sexual discrimination is banned by the Civil Rights Act, and it is not limited to one sex or the other.
I’m not familiar with the other promotion. If you mean they are charging children less, it could be justified if they can show there is a legitimate reason, like the children’s portions are smaller than the adult ones. If they charge children less than an adult for the same fare, then it’s age discrimination under Federal law.
Growing up I recall offers to charge children their weight for the kid’s meal. Different persons were assessed different prices for the same plate.
They were charging less for an action, they weren’t interviewing people on if they believed in god or not.
If a bunch of moslems were in there groaning to their satanic deity, the atheists would have been fine with it.
...silently give thanks.
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My husband and I always say “Grace Before Meals” in public restaurants. The atheists will just have to deal with it.
Well, if the person getting charged more is in a “protected class” under federal law, that’s a no-no now.
Well, if the person getting charged more is in a “protected class” under federal law, that’s a no-no now.
Jerk atheists, never would have guessed!!
My what?
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