[sometime lurker]

I’m not convinced that there isn’t religious discrimination here. If this actress was treated differently from others, I think the case could be made that this was due to her religious orientation. If, for example, the soap opera person (director?) insisted on portraying this particular character in a way that would be offensive to the actress - and this was atypical behavior, then I think the case can be made. I also think it would be very hard to establish that.

I agree, it would be very hard to establish that this was different than any other contract violation, or that the change was made to get rid of her. I suspect that writers and directors write things that are offensive to people who are religious or of good morals all the time.

An analogy - an orthodox Jew plays an orthodox Jewish character; the script calls for a bacon eating scene. Should she refuse to play the scene (not actually eat the bacon, just play the scene and appear to eat it)? Should she have the right to retain her job despite refusing to do the scene? How about a Jehovah's witness playing a patient who receives a blood transfusion?

Actors and actresses get let go frequently because their characters are not popular enough, storyline changes, etc. I doubt her contract gives her script control. And if she doesn't have script control, it's no surprise she'd be fired for refusing to follow the script.

[ElayneJ]

“An analogy - an orthodox Jew plays an orthodox Jewish character; the script calls for a bacon eating scene. Should she refuse to play the scene (not actually eat the bacon, just play the scene and appear to eat it)? Should she have the right to retain her job despite refusing to do the scene? How about a Jehovah’s witness playing a patient who receives a blood transfusion?”

I’ve never had the slightest desire to be on stage, but I have thought about these things. Would it be morally appropriate to promote ideas I do not support? That’s what it comes down to, really. Whether the storyline overtly endorses a subject or not, if it’s portrayed sympathetically that’s tacit endorsement - and on a wide scale. In fact, there’s the element of perception regardless of how the director intends the message to be received. Acting is a tricky business, I think. And subjective. I believe you’re right that ostensibly there’s no difference between being fired for professing faith and being fired for “creative differences.” I do believe the industry has a bias against people of faith, but, on the other hand, that bias exists in the “real world” as well.