This is why I don't support GWB's 'Faith Based Initiatives"....too many religious fanatics spoil the pot...
Salvation Army accused of discrimination
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By Larry Neumeister
Feb. 24, 2004 | NEW YORK (AP) -- Current and former Salvation Army employees sued the organization famous for its red Christmas kettles Tuesday, alleging the government-funded group preached religious and sexual intolerance to its staff.
The workers accused the Salvation Army of creating a hostile work environment for about 600 employees who provide social services for more than 2,000 children in New York state.
The charitable organization required employees to pledge to preach the Gospel, to identify their church affiliation and to authorize their religious leaders to reveal private information to the Salvation Army, according to the lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union's New York chapter.
The Salvation Army did not immediately return a telephone message for comment.
Martin Garbus, a lawyer for 18 plaintiffs, said the case exposes how President Bush's faith-based initiative program blurs the Constitutionally mandated separation of church and state.
Donna Lieberman, executive director of the New York Civil Liberties Union, said the Salvation Army may have a right promote its religion, but not with government money.
The organization receives $89 million, the bulk of its funding for child care, from the government.
One plaintiff, Margaret Geissman, said she quit her job as a human resources manager last year after she was harassed by her bosses for refusing to reveal staffers' religions and sexual orientations.
"As a Christian, I deeply resent the use of discriminatory employment practices in the name of Christianity," she said.
Another plaintiff, Mary Jane Dessables also said she objected to being forced to declare her religion.
"I feel it is my duty as a taxpayer to insist that the Salvation Army not be allowed to collect this information that may be used to discriminate against their employees," Dessables said. She is the management information systems director for the Salvation Army's Social Services for Children.
Garbus said the Salvation Army was requiring all employees to fill out statements revealing their religious histories by the end of February.
Lieberman said the lawsuit was "the first major challenge to the coming wave of faith-based initiatives" of the Bush administration.
"Promoting religion sets a very dangerous precedent because it runs the risk of turning us into a society that favors one religion or a religion over others or none," she said.
