Posted on 08/18/2005 2:30:06 PM PDT by Woodland
J. Matt Barber, a born-again Christian from Villa Park, hoped to get some reaction in December when he wrote a fiery online essay denouncing same-sex marriage and the "destructive nature ... of the homosexual lifestyle."
But the strongest response, Barber said, came from his employers at Allstate Corp. He said two supervisors slapped the article down in front of him, told him he was suspended without pay and had him escorted from the company grounds in Northbrook.
"I'm thinking, `What business is this of yours?'" said Barber, 36, who had worked for Allstate for five years, mostly in corporate security. "This is something I did on my own time. This was my own viewpoint. ... [One supervisor] said, `Well, you know, here at Allstate we have a very diverse community.'"
(Excerpt) Read more at chicagotribune.com ...
I would insert my divserse lawsuit up there a__.
You're in good glans with Allstate!.."
You're in good glans with Christian-hating Allstate!
Diversity bump!
I guess Allstate doesn't believe that the bill of rights applies to its own employees. I haven't checked, but I'd be willing to wager that Allstate started as an American company on American soil probably at least 40-50 years after the constitution was ratified, so how do they think that their own corporate policies take precedence?
The strategy behind Barber's lawsuit is an unusual one, said Matthew Finkin, law professor at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Contrary to popular belief, private companies in Illinois and in virtually every other state can fire workers for saying things that embarrass the company--a fact many bloggers have learned the hard way, he said.
Barber's theory is that his views on same-sex marriage constitute religious expression and thus are protected under federal civil rights laws.
The suit is phrased accordingly, saying Barber "felt led of God to write and submit [the article] for online publication."
Finkin said Barber's argument may be hampered by the fact that he does not quote Scripture to support his argument and instead roots his positions in statements about biology and traditional values. "Political polemics are not protected in Illinois," Finkin said.
Increasingly, corporations want anti nationalist, hyper modernist, anti American globalists working for them. Real Americans are viewed as people who need to be thrown out. Real Americans are viewed as small business people but not "corporate material."
A novel argument? Since "diversity" translates to "anti-Christian", how can this be anything but discrimination based on religion?
Calling Jay Sekulow.
FYI
Go to hell Allstate!</p>
I think he was fired because of anti-christian diversity policies, BTW, but since his essay had no distinct religion tied to it, it will be hard to defend his stance in court
How could Barber have embarrassed his employer if he doesnt directly say he works for them or directly say Allstate in his essay? Ihavent read his essay yet, but I am guessing, and I might be wrong, that thats the case.
I think the important thing is for us who have Allstate policies (as I do) to vote with our feet, and explain CLEARLY and LOUDLY to them why we are not doing business with them any longer.
My agent is going to get a polite but loud, clear and firm ear-full soon while I do seriously investigate alternatives. Now where's that GEICO junk mail I saved...
Who decided to spell 'fiery' this way?
Never will I sign up for Allstate Insurance- let the queers have it.
That was my first question. Did he write this online at work? Did he send it to other employees? Did he identify himself as an Allstate employee?
If he did none of those things then Allstate has gone overboard. If any of those are true then the company can fire him. Freedom of speech is guaranteed, he won't go to jail for it, but beyond that there are no guarantees.
Why take this tactic? We all know that the ONLY speech that does NOT seem to be protected is religious, scripture or not. Did he identify himself as an employee?
Why take this tactic? We all know that the ONLY speech that does NOT seem to be protected is religious, scripture or not. Did he identify himself as an employee?
fier·y (fr, f-r) KEY
ADJECTIVE:
fier·i·er , fier·i·est
Consisting of or containing fire.
Burning or glowing.
Using or effected with fire.
Easily ignited; flammable.
Having the color of fire; brightly red: fiery hair; a fiery sunset.
Torridly hot.
Feverishly hot and flushed: fiery cheeks.
Being in an inflamed, usually painful condition: a fiery boil.
Easily excited or emotionally volatile; tempestuous: a fiery temper.
Charged with emotion; spirited: a fiery denunciation.
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