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I don't think we disagree on the notion that it's dumb for a business to do anything but its job, which is selling its products/services for money. Discrimination against any class of worker that does the job hurts only the business in the long run.

But the government has said that businesses can't discriminate, while essentially setting up white Christian males as a suspect class as a result. This guy was expressing his religious beliefs. That's no different from a Sikh in a turban or a Muslim with a prayer rug in the cubicle. I think if his objective had NOT been to intentionally offend, he would have a legit case (whether I agree with him or not). I think this case was probably going to get settled the way it was regardless of that, but I think that the guy admitted his intent meant that it was a great case for HP.

That said, I would love to see the 9th get overturned on this one, and the turmoil it could cause.

but I think that the guy admitted his intent meant that it was a great case for HP.

All we have is the writer of the article saying that they man put his quotes up with "hurtful intent". I would like to hear the man himself, when I read that in the article I thought it sounded bogus. I mean, what person in his right mind would say that? It rang false.

Discrimination against any class of worker that does the job hurts only the business in the long run.

I concur 100%

I think if his objective had NOT been to intentionally offend, he would have a legit case (whether I agree with him or not).

And we agree here too. If he had a cross hanging in his office, I doubt he'd be targetted. But he chose to use his religion as a weapon, to create a hostile work environment. Hardly Christ-like, IMHO. This cannot be tolerated by any company, whether it's Christianity, Jewish, Islamic, Satanic or Wiccan (or buddist, hindu, ect.).

That said, I would love to see the 9th get overturned on this one, and the turmoil it could cause.

This is where we disagree. I don't want the gov't stepping in and telling me (as a private business) that you have to tolerate a religious bigot spouting hate towards anyone. That means that I would have to tolerate a Palestinian screaming for the murder of every Jew in my employ. I'd have to suffer through every bible beater who felt obliged to come give a sermon while I had no choice but to sit and listen. Just about everyone HAS to work, we do not have a choice. At home, we can either accept this behavior, or ignore it. But at work, we are captive. I, for one, do not want ANYONE selling their religion to me. I have my own, I'm quite happy with it; and who, when, and how I worship is no body's business. I prefer it stay that way.