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.
Keep reading.
Since you decided not to comprehend what I wrote so plainly, I gather you are not capable of discussion.
This is sheer idiocy.
Salvation Army officers(ministers) are trained to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ with I suspect not much emphasis on how to conduct a lawful employment interview. It is my understanding that there is a concerted effort going on within the Army's social service programs to reduce the influence of secularists which has probably led to this situation.
The General of the SA, our international leader, was in Rome for the installation of Benedict XVI as Pope and has asked all Salvationists to pray that God will use him to extend His kingdom
This seems reasonable to me. I think everyone should calm down and use some Christian (not to mention Catholic :-) charity.
Just doesn't sound like anything anyone would actually reply!
Why is it so unbelievable? Don't you read the Religion Forum in Free Republic?
...which brings us back to the reason the Salvation Army thought the guy was not a practising Christian.
You might expect that however many Roman Catholics do not.
When a relative of mine (RC) was asked if I was a Roman Catholic he replied " No, she's a a Christian". Too sad.
Are you a Christian?
Being a Christian, I would not be interested in working for the Salvation Army. They are a denomination, and they teach things that I find contrary to the Word of God.
But I would never answer that way. I've been a member of all 3 of those churches and a few others as we attend church depending on who preaches Christ and not what they're sign out front says.
So are you saying that the Salvation Army members are not Christians?
If you asked a Salvation Army member if they were a Christian, how do you think they would answer?
And if a Salvation Army member asked you if you were a Christian, how would you answer?
I proudly let anyone who cares to know that I am a Christian. I am not sure how a member of the SA would answer if I asked them that question, although they would probably state that they were a Christian. As I stated in my previous post, they teach things that are contrary to the Word of God.
If you're asking me, then I guess the answer is "Yes". At least in my opinion.
But here's the real question, if you are interviewing me for a job. Do you consider me to be a Christian?
As some who call themselves "Christian" have strange ideas about the Catholic Church and its beliefs and may not regard me as "Christian", if I'm asked this question at an interview I'd probably do what this guy did and inform you up front that I'm a Catholic and let you decide. That doesn't meant that I'm being evasive. It simply means that I'm unsure as to how you define the term Christian and I'm leaving it to you to make the call. The term "Christian" in common usage, often means "non-Catholic", so there is some ambiguity here.
Having said that, I think the Salvation Army has a right to hire whomever it pleases. If they don't want Catholics, that's their prerogative.
So I take it that instead of giving a simple "yes" to the question from a Salvation Army member, "Are you a Christian?", you would have said something to the effect of, "Yes, I'm a Christian, but your not, and here's why".
Did I say that? If I was in a discussion with them about beliefs, then that would be a different story.
Can you say "false dichotomy"?
I knew you could.
This is ridiculous. Churches have a right to hire who they want to. Catholic organizations also should have the right to hire only Catholics if they want to. The First Amendment is being eroded horribly in this country.
I think a lot of people are not aware that the Salvation Army is in fact a denomination.
I think you are missing the whole point of this article.
Let's say you are currently working in a clerical position and you were applying for a leadership position with the Salvation Army and you were in an inteview for the position. The Salvation Army Captain is going through your qualifications for this position and they ask the following question:
"Campion, you've been working with us for a while and you know that the Salvation Army is a Christian Charity organization, so I must ask you this very important question, Campion, are you a Christian?"
Now, think about it.
How would Campion respond?
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