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Man sues Salvation Army in religious discrimination[Catholic passed over for promotion]
The Birmingham News ^ | February 27, 2007 | VAL WALTON

Posted on 03/01/2007 9:06:23 PM PST by Alex Murphy

An Anniston man has filed a federal lawsuit against the Salvation Army, contending he was illegally passed over for a position because he is Catholic.

The suit filed on behalf of Anthony J. Clark contends he sought a social work opening in spring 2005 after already having worked for the Salvation Army for almost two years.

The Salvation Army is a charity that operates as an evangelical effort of Christians. Its Web site says its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs without discrimination.

Salvation Army officials in Anniston declined comment and referred calls to the organization's Jackson, Miss., office.

Mark Jones, a spokesman for the Salvation Army Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi divisional headquarters, said it's the organization's policy not to comment on personnel matters.

The suit said Clark sent a letter to his supervisor on May 17, expressing his interest in filling the position in Anniston. Clark, the suit said, had worked as a part-time social worker from November 2003 to December 2003. He subsequently worked full-time from January 2004 to May 2004 because of another worker's illness.

The suit said despite having three letters of recommendation, another person who had only part-time seasonal experience was hired when a full-time position came open.

The lawsuit said when Clark asked why he wasn't hired, his supervisor, Maj. Larry Hambrick, replied he was not a practicing Christian.

When asked if he was a Christian, Clark said he was a Catholic and was then informed that was why he was not selected for the position, according to the lawsuit. The lawsuit said Clark complained to the Salvation Army's national headquarters, and left the organization on Aug. 19, 2005.

Birmingham lawyer John Saxon called the Salvation Army a wonderful organization that does faith-related work. But Saxon said the social work position was a non-ministerial position.

"They are not exempt from civil rights laws," Saxon said.


TOPICS: Catholic; Evangelical Christian; Ministry/Outreach; Religion & Culture
KEYWORDS: catholic; discrimination; salvationarmy
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To: sitetest

Permit me, if I might, to shed a little light on some misconceptions that you and some others may have as to the position of the SA on the Catholic church. Those of us who are Salvationists, in other words members of the SA, have been asked by the General, the international leader, to pray for the success of Pope Benedict XVI. I find it rather strange to see the term "anti-Catholic bigot" used at the same time many of us are including him in our prayers. While I am not a theologian, I can assure you that Catholics are considered as brothers-in-Christ. The General went to Rome for the installation of the Pope, not to thumb his nose, but out of respect for him and your church. While our worship forms couldn't be more different, the substantive value issues for which we stand are quite similar, such as abortion, same-sex marriage, gay rights and pre-marital sex. In cities like New York and San Francisco the SA and the Catholic church have stood shoulder-to-shoulder in resisting the liberal agenda being forced upon people of faith. For those who can't see why a Catholic would want to work for the SA, you need to start with the Knights of Columbus. I understand they do a great job of volunteer bell-ringing for the Army at Christmas time


101 posted on 03/02/2007 10:55:46 AM PST by Upbeat
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To: sitetest; xzins
In that I'd suspect that my interlocutor had a misunderstanding of the Gospel...

Then why are you applying for a job with his ministry? Are you there to do the work of the minstry or to convert the ministers?

If one can't answer yes to the question of whether or not you are a "Born Again Christian" or if one has to dance around the question, then I'd have to conclude that they are not.

... Let your yea be yea and your nay be nay.

102 posted on 03/02/2007 11:13:03 AM PST by P-Marlowe (LPFOKETT GAHCOEEP-w/o*)
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To: sitetest

Since they'd worked together for 2 years, I suspect the interviewer didn't need to go any farther. (or is that "further?" :>)


103 posted on 03/02/2007 11:13:09 AM PST by xzins (Retired Army Chaplain and Proud of It! Those who support the troops will pray for them to WIN!)
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To: Upbeat

Dear Upbeat,

"I find it rather strange to see the term 'anti-Catholic bigot' used at the same time many of us are including him in our prayers."

I didn't make any comment about the Salvation Army generally, only about the individual cited in the article, who seemed to take the answer, "I am a Catholic" as a "no" to the question, "Are you a Christian?"

It's roughly analogous to, "Do you own a motor vehicle?" and getting back, "I own a Chevrolet."

The individual is answering with more specificity than required by the question, but nonetheless answering in the affirmative.

The only interpretation that can be given here is that the Salvation Army fellow doesn't think that Catholics are Christians.

As well, some have suggested here that it was un-Christian of the Catholic to sue the Salvation Army.

I'm grateful that Salvationists feel some solidarity with Pope Benedict. However, I'm pretty sure that if the Catholic fellow in this case had brought his case before a tribunal of the Catholic Church (the only religious tribunals that Catholics recognize) against the Salvation Army or its members, the Salvation Army and its members would not have recognized the authority or validity of the tribunal. Even if headed by Pope Benedict, himself.


sitetest


104 posted on 03/02/2007 11:14:23 AM PST by sitetest (If Roe is not overturned, no unborn child will ever be protected in law.)
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To: blue-duncan

Dear blue-duncan,

Briefly, to validly baptize is to wash with water an unbaptized person (when my sons were baptized, the priest poured the water over their foreheads), and say the trinitarian formula of baptism, with the proper intention.


sitetest


105 posted on 03/02/2007 11:15:20 AM PST by sitetest (If Roe is not overturned, no unborn child will ever be protected in law.)
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To: sitetest

Regardless of the rights or wrongs in this particular case, the winner is the MSM. They have succeeded in driving a wedge between believing Christians.


106 posted on 03/02/2007 11:22:04 AM PST by Upbeat
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To: P-Marlowe

Dear P-Marlowe,

The job was that of social worker, as far as I can see, not minister of the Gospel.

Unless the Salvation Army spelled out in the job requirements that one was required to hold an evangelical Protestant faith, I don't know why the fellow would assume it.

As well, the fellow had been working there two years, including several months in the full-time position. If they had a formal requirement for evangelical Protestant faith for permanent placement in that position, they could have communicated that to him when he indicated interest in the permanent placement.

In which case, they wouldn't have accepted his application in the first place, and there would have been no interview.

"If one can't answer yes to the question of whether or not you are a 'Born Again Christian' or if one has to dance around the question, then I'd have to conclude that they are not."

And your conclusion would be as false as the assumptions that undergird it. We Catholics understand valid baptism as being "born again" by water and the Holy Spirit. Yet, if I were to merely answer, "Yes," to the question, "Are you born again?" I'd either be acceding to the [false] definition of "born again" of my interlocutor, or I would be deceiving him into thinking that I was acceding to that definition.

Sometimes, a "yes" or "no" is a lie.


sitetest


107 posted on 03/02/2007 11:22:33 AM PST by sitetest (If Roe is not overturned, no unborn child will ever be protected in law.)
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To: xzins

Dear xzins,

"Since they'd worked together for 2 years, I suspect the interviewer didn't need to go any farther. (or is that 'further?' :>)"

Indeed. Then, rather than use this bogus reason for rejecting his promotion - tell the truth. "You have a bad attitude." Or even they could have said upfront, sorry, we're looking for an evangelical Protestant, but thanks anyway.

But saying that "I am a Catholic" is an answer of "no" to the question, "Are you a Christian?" is anti-Catholic bigotry.


sitetest


108 posted on 03/02/2007 11:28:13 AM PST by sitetest (If Roe is not overturned, no unborn child will ever be protected in law.)
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To: sitetest

IOW, you are not a "Born Again Christian"?


109 posted on 03/02/2007 11:31:29 AM PST by P-Marlowe (LPFOKETT GAHCOEEP-w/o*)
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To: Upbeat

Dear Upbeat,

"They have succeeded in driving a wedge between believing Christians."

I guess that's possible, but I don't think that's the case.

The wedges you see here in this thread existed before the posting of this thread.

As for me, I don't feel any better or worse toward the Salvation Army generally as a result of this article. I'm not impressed with the Catholic man's Salvation Army superior, but heck, I'm not especially impressed with the Catholic man, himself.

I've said right along that I just don't have any problem with the Salvation Army not wanting to hire Catholics for specific positions in your organization. More power to you!


sitetest


110 posted on 03/02/2007 11:31:55 AM PST by sitetest (If Roe is not overturned, no unborn child will ever be protected in law.)
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To: P-Marlowe

Yes, just as I answered in Number 14.


111 posted on 03/02/2007 11:35:02 AM PST by Maeve (And while we're at it, ban the ACLU.)
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To: P-Marlowe

Dear P-Marlowe,

Of course I'm "born again" (or "born from above" as is the preferred Catholic translation)!

Praise be to God, I was validly baptized at the age of four weeks old! I was baptized in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. The waters of baptism washed away my Original Sin, and brought me into life in the family of God. Through baptism, I received God's salvific grace.

Are you "born again"? Have you been validly, sacramentally baptized with water and the Holy Spirit?


sitetest


112 posted on 03/02/2007 11:36:50 AM PST by sitetest (If Roe is not overturned, no unborn child will ever be protected in law.)
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To: sitetest
Of course I'm "born again" (or "born from above" as is the preferred Catholic translation)!

Just a simple question: Are you a "Born Again Christian"?

yes or no.

113 posted on 03/02/2007 11:38:50 AM PST by P-Marlowe (LPFOKETT GAHCOEEP-w/o*)
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To: P-Marlowe

P-Marlowe,

Have you stopped beating your wife?

Just a simple question. Yes or no.


sitetest


114 posted on 03/02/2007 11:40:39 AM PST by sitetest (If Roe is not overturned, no unborn child will ever be protected in law.)
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To: xzins

For me the Scriptural plea has always been "Sir, we would see Jesus." I do a terrible job of reflecting Jesus when I get angry, and I get angry when people insult my Christian faith as a Catholic. Pray for me that I do not let the sun set on my anger and that I may serve the Lord Jesus Christ more faithfully.


115 posted on 03/02/2007 11:44:25 AM PST by Maeve (Jesu, Jesu, Jesu, have mercy on me. -- prayer of S. Margaret Clitherow at her martyrdom)
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To: P-Marlowe
TeeHee.

I'm a "Born From Above" Christian...

Do you read Greek?

116 posted on 03/02/2007 11:47:22 AM PST by Maeve (Jesu, Jesu, Jesu, have mercy on me. -- prayer of S. Margaret Clitherow at her martyrdom)
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To: sitetest
P-Marlowe, Have you stopped beating your wife? Just a simple question. Yes or no.

Have I "stopped" beating my wife?

No.

Are you a "Born Again Christian"?

117 posted on 03/02/2007 11:48:37 AM PST by P-Marlowe (LPFOKETT GAHCOEEP-w/o*)
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To: Maeve

Is that a "no"?


118 posted on 03/02/2007 11:49:11 AM PST by P-Marlowe (LPFOKETT GAHCOEEP-w/o*)
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To: P-Marlowe

Dear P-Marlowe,

Why did you need to repeat the question, and distort what I asked by putting "stopped" in quotes?

It's just a simple question:

Have you stopped beating your wife?

Yes or no. Only. No filtering. No interpretation, no re-arranging of words.

Yes or no.

;-)

Thanks,


sitetest


119 posted on 03/02/2007 11:52:52 AM PST by sitetest (If Roe is not overturned, no unborn child will ever be protected in law.)
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To: P-Marlowe

Catcha' later.


120 posted on 03/02/2007 11:53:19 AM PST by sitetest (If Roe is not overturned, no unborn child will ever be protected in law.)
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