Man Fired For Being An Atheist

[DeSwiss]

SOURCE: Boston Globe

Investigator Finds Reasonable Grounds For Claim Of Atheism Firing

May 4, 2007

LEWISTON, Maine -- An investigator for the Maine Human Rights Commission has found reasonable grounds for a manager's claim that he was fired from his job at DeCoster farms because he's an atheist. Cacy Cantwell says Austin "Jack" DeCoster told him before he was fired that they might have to "part ways" because Cantwell didn't believe in God.

The backing of the investigator bolsters Cantwell's case, which is expected to go before the full commission, said Patricia Ryan, executive director. Cantwell was working for Maine Contract Farming, a DeCoster subsidiary where he was hired as a manager in 2003. DeCoster is the region's largest brown egg producer.

The official reason for Cantwell's firing in November 2006 was "poor job performance," but the commission's investigator, Barbara Lelli, said Cantwell received no written warnings about performance problems.

Cantwell, who was provided housing he shared with a non-married partner, two of his children and three of her children, said he was criticized by DeCoster, a devout Christian, who didn't approve of the living arrangement. On another occasion, DeCoster brought up God in a conversation, and Cantwell responded by saying he was an atheist and didn't believe in God.

Cantwell told the investigator that DeCoster put his hand on his shoulder and told him: "I can't have someone like you here. We might need to part ways."

http://www.boston.com/news/local/maine/articles/2007/05/04/investigator_finds_reasonable_grounds_for_claim_of_atheism_firing/

[Erika]

1. Christian theocracy at work

You have every right to believe or non believe as long as you believe in my God. Otherwise you're out of here.

[DeSwiss]

3. Let's see....

...we've got him living in sin with his Jezebel and her 3 children (no doubt illegitimate). And his 2 kids too, which are also probably... well, lil' heathen bastards. :sarcasm:

And then to top all that off he has the nerve to reject a belief in the compassionate, beautiful, loving, wonderful, marvelous, bodacious, and forgiving god.

Lord, Jebus. One has to wonder why it took him a whole three years to fire him.....

[Occulus]

2. We have a preacher man at work

He's well-known for his... well, preaching. I think he used to be a minister, actually; that's my understanding from some of the people on his shift (our shifts overlap for an hour at 11pm). I think this is the guy responsible for the christian graffiti on the containers (the fish-thing and the bible verses and what not written in oermenant marker, no less), but I haven't seen him doing it, so I can't be sure. He's the only one I can think of there who is blatant enough about his christianity that he feels the irrepressible need to foist it upon those around him.

In other words, a typical devout christian. Just like the guy in the above article. Thankfully, preacher man is in no position of authority, and I truly hope he never will be because:

Two nights ago, I'm waiting for the people down the machine to clear a jam. This guy comes up to me, makes sure he has my name right, and then tells me, "You know, it's really good that you're giving 100% and I know it's hard to deal with people who slack off, but you really should go help them out, give 110%. That's called the heavenly standard."

:wow:

He repeated that once or twice, and I finally told him, "Look. I work with some of these people every single day. I know that I go 'help' them, they'll expect it. For another thing, one of the guys down there who's slacking off has been here longer, has more seniority, and makes more than I do. I'm not going to bust my ass so he can lean and watch me do his part of the job."

Preacher man left. Thankfully.

I really dislike these people, and they have given me cause to dislike the religion which motivates them. After seeing what christianity motivates people to say and do, I don't want anything to do with it. Next time, I'm telling preacher man to stuff his "heavenly standard" up his motherfucking ass.

[DFW]

4. This reminds me of a quote from Dave Barry

He noted that those most eager to share their religious
views with you are the ones least eager to have you share
your religious views with them.

So very VERY true.

Anyone comfortable with their own faith is in no need of
constantly shoving it the face of someone else.

[DeSwiss]

5. In my book you showed remarkable restraint....

If it had been me, I would have told him that if he's able to get into heaven, then there are apparently NO heavenly standards.

[tanyev]

7. Did preacher man go help them out?

I'm guessing his preferred method of "helping" is by offering unwanted advice.

[ClintonTyree]

6. I hope this guy sues the "holy man" for everything....

he's got. Bullshit like this REALLY frosts my flakes. :mad:

[DeSwiss]

9. Ah yes....

...I can see the ads now:

Get cher' Atheist Eggs RIGHT HERE!!!!

Of course they'll no longer be brown eggs... maybe a neutral color??? :shrug:

[arKansasJHawk]

8. This should be bookmarked ...

And brought up every time some fundie (or any aggrieved Christian, for that matter) starts whining about how they're being "persecuted" or "belittled," or whatever b.s. term they come up with, for their beliefs.

I find myself shaking my head in disbelief (hah!) on an almost daily basis at some Christian or other moaning about how atheists should show more "respect." They honestly have no clue how powerful and pervasive they and their "faith" are.

It's exactly like those neanderthals who cry about how the white man can't get a break anymore. It makes me furious.

[DeSwiss]

10. I find that an (un)healthy persecution complex....

...is a mandatory component of all the major big-league religions. It helps to justify the bigotry, hatred and condensation of nonbelievers. While at the same time constantly reaffirming believers of their righteousness. Otherwise why would they be persecuted??? Hmmmm? So you see, its self-justifying and self-correcting.

Another mandatory component is the persecution of "smaller god" worshipers (as in: false). So an atheist doesn't stand a chance. They have no invisible friends that can help them..... :sarcasm:



PS - And another thing; religions are never funny. There's not one funny joke (not one I tell you!!!), in the whole bible. Its hard to feel persecuted when you're laughing.....

[AJ9000]

11. I too have been fired for being an atheist. nm

[kiahzero]

12. Did you contact the EEOC?

Was it less than 300 days ago?

[AJ9000]

13. It was over 20 years ago. Since that time I have also

been discriminated against at work (but not fired) when I let it be known I was an atheist. My supervisor did a 180 on his attitude about me when he found out. I also lost a pretty good friend this way.

You can be a different religion in this country, but you can't say you're an atheist or many people are through with you.

[kiahzero]

14. If it happens again or continues to happen, you may want to think about it

It's illegal, but the only way it'll stop is if people are punished for doing it.