Christian fired for 'anti-gay' Bible verses

WorldNetDaily.com ^ | Wednesday, January 7, 2004

[JohnHuang2]

LAW OF THE LAND
Christian fired for 'anti-gay' Bible verses
9th Circuit says worker harmed Hewlett-Packard's 'diversity' effort

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Posted: January 7, 2004
1:00 a.m. Eastern

© 2004 WorldNetDaily.com

A devout Christian employee who was fired for posting quotes from the Bible condemning homosexuality lost an appeal in federal court yesterday.

The San Francisco-based U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit, regarded as the nation's most liberal, ruled Hewlett-Packard Co. did not violate the rights of Richard Peterson when it fired him for posting the verses on his desk in response to company posters featuring homosexual employees, Reuters reported.

HP displayed posters with the slogan "Diversity is Our Strength" as part of its campaign to promote a diverse work force.

Judge Stephen Reinhardt rejected Peterson's claim he was fired for his religious beliefs, arguing the Boise, Idaho-based employee had failed to provide evidence, Reuters said.

HP said Peterson was fired for insubordination after refusing to remove the quotes when managers determined they could be viewed as offensive.

Peterson conceded one of the Scripture passages he posted, from Leviticus, was "intended to be hurtful," according to the wire service.

It reads, in the King James version, "If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination; they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them."

The court said HP would have been placed under "undue hardship" to accommodate Peterson's demands to either allow the posting of the Scriptures or have the diversity posters removed.

Reinhardt contended, according to Reuters, either option would harm the company's efforts to "attract and retain a qualified, diverse work force, which the company reasonably views as vital to its commercial success."

[JohnHuang2]

Wednesday, January 7, 2004

Quote of the Day by Kevin Curry

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[First_Salute]

The federal government has no Constitutional authority to impose a view either way, regarding whether homosexual activity is good or bad.

On the matter of grounds for dismissal, given the limited information in the story, it appears that the employee was fired for expressing his religious views that are most definitely supported --- the evidence --- in the Bible.

[longtermmemmory]

Homsexuals on posters in my workplace would be immediatly offensive. That poster is all about private sexual behavior. Private sexual behavior has no business being imposed on a public government workplace.

[Wilhelm Tell]

Notice how anything that hints of heterosexuality is considered harassment while anything gay is automatically hailed as a celebration of "diversity"? Private matters -- gay or straight -- should remain private matters. Instead, there is a double-standard where one cannot escape from "gay" this or that. Then they preach to us about how evil it is to impose one's values on others, while they are "offended" if you just want to be left alone.

[truthandlife]

See why the Democrats do not want to approve any of Bush's judges?

[D-fendr]

Sounds like HP's diversity has limits.

New HP poster:

"Fire the intolerant bastards."

[Poohbah]

The federal government has no Constitutional authority to impose a view either way, regarding whether homosexual activity is good or bad.

That wasn't the issue here.

It's whether a private employer can terminate someone for violating the employer's policies.

[First_Salute]

The appeals was bssed upon Constitutional and civil rights of the un-employed. The company was under the constraints of the Constitutiona and federal regulations barring an employer against discrimination --- as in this case, firing a person for religious expression.

[Poohbah]

The appeals was bssed upon Constitutional and civil rights of the un-employed.

If you are on someone else's property and receiving money from that person, you do what you're told, or you find other employment.