Posted on 11/29/2012 4:18:31 AM PST by SECURE AMERICA
Prudhomme’s Lost Cajun Kitchen restaurant in Lancaster County will continue offering its Sunday church bulletin discount, despite a complaint the promotion discriminates against faith.
Earlier this year, John Wolff of Lancaster County filed the complaint with the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission saying the Louisiana-inspired restaurant in Columbia should not give 10 percent discounts to diners who bring in church bulletins on Sundays.
At the time, Wolff, who is an atheist and member of the Freedom from Religion Foundation said, “I bear them no ill will, but they shouldn’t be pushing religion."
After an investigation, the Human Relations Commission recommended both parties agree to a settlement, said Shannon Powers, agency spokeswoman. Under the settlement, Prudhomme’s is permitted to continue the bulletin discount but the restaurant must change the promotion’s wording so it does not exclude any type of religious institution, Powers said.
Restaurant owner Sharon Prudhomme said she will offer the discount to people of all faiths and that the intention of the promotion was never meant to discriminate.
“We were confident we did nothing wrong .. and, we certainly are not prejudice,” she said.
“All I wanted them to do is admit ‘Hey, they are not prejudiced,” Prudhomme added.
Prudhomme had always stressed that diners of all religious backgrounds were welcome to pick up bulletins at any church and bring them in for the discount.
About a year ago, Prudhomme’s started offering the 10 percent discounts to diners who bring in a current church bulletin on Sundays. The promotion was designed to boost business on a traditionally slow business day.
The Freedom From Religion Foundation contacted Prudhomme’s before Wolff filed the complain. The foundation is made up of agnostics and atheists who fight government displays of religion.
The story went national, and Prudhomme appeared on several radio and television shows including “Fox & Friends.”
As a result of the publicity, Prudhomme said business at the restaurant increased. She said she received thousands of emails in support, including one from the U.S. troops in Afghanistan as well as from around the world and from all of the 50 states except Hawaii, Alaska, Vermont and Massachusetts. Several atheists, who she said told her they do not take offense to the Sunday promotion, have also contacted her.
Prudhomme worked pro bono with two attorneys including Randall Wenger of the Independence Law Center in Harrisburg. Wenger said anti-discrimination laws were not designed to “honor a public good like church attendance.”
“This was a good common sense result that doesn’t undermine our traditions. It doesn’t undermine our values,” Wenger said.
This is a private business. Why should anyone but the owner have any say in how it operates (assuming it’s complying with health and safety standards)?
I am so sick of these atheists. Don’t like it, jerk, don’t eat there. Maybe we need to just because radicalized. Turning the other cheek doesn’t seem to be working.
I am so thankful to live where Christianity is not suppressed. The man who lives across the street from me is a pastor and he has a big (probably 10-12 ft.) cross in his yard near the road with big red letters that say “Jesus Saves”. Drive down our main road and you will see signs such as “Do What Jesus Would” and church bulletin discounts at restaurants.
How I long for the time when America was a Christian nation.
There should be a Freedom From Annoying, Arrogant Athiests Foundation.
Once, a long time ago, that concept was in our Constitution.
If this was about bringing in something other then a faith related item the contrary bunch wouldn’t care, even if it also excluded others. Obviously any type of perk such as this will exclude some but life is UNFAIR Always has been Always will be.
An atheist’s testimony should be inadmissible in the court.
After all, placing his right hand on the Bible and solemnly swearing or affirming means nothing to an atheist.
Same goes for muzzloids and other haters of the Judeo-Christian God and His Scriptures.
We eat there frequently.. God bless her.. She didn’t back down. As someone said...if you don’t like it..don’t eat there
Relation to Paul?
I’m going to start printing up “Church of the Living Room Sofa” bulletin.
I doubt there’s a church anywhere that would object to a non believer walking in and picking up a bulletin. The restaurant is free to demand payment which is a much greater imposition than a free bulletin.
I’ll give him the $2 if he’ll shut up and go away.
Everywhere in conservative America, Sunday is the biggest day of the week for restaurants.
Apparently not.
Just have lots of pork BBQ to keep the muzzies out. As for the Jews...... They are on their own! Insert lol here I am Jewish
I can’t imagine living such a small and bitter life that I take time out to fight church goers from getting a 10% discount at a restaurant.
Talk about weird priorities.
I hate Pennsylvania Nazis.
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