(February 14, 2019 at 1:40 pm)Drich Wrote:(February 13, 2019 at 6:00 pm)Dr H Wrote: Portland Considers Protection Against Discrimination For Atheists, Agnostics
Gee, I thought they'd never ask...
Other coverage:
https://portlandtribune.com/pt/9-news/41...-protected
https://www.portlandmercury.com/blogtown...rtland-law
glob...
discrimination from what? walking though a store with Christmas decorations?!?!
seeing fish on a fast food menu?
someone saying god bless when you sneeze?
Employment discrimination, among other things.
When I was a kid, if you were a public school teacher and it was discovered that you were an atheist, you could lose your job and be blackballed from the system. Still happens.
Eight US states still have a religious test written into their constitutions, which excludes atheists from holding public office. Article I, Section 4 of the Texas state constitution, for example:
"No religious test shall ever be required as a qualification on to any office, or public trust, in this State; nor shall any one be excluded from holding office on account of his religious sentiments, provided he acknowledge the existence of a Supreme Being."
Protection from being stererotyped and scapegoated.
Protection from being denied custody of their children.
Protection of their freedom to volunteer in their communities.
Protection of their right of free speech.
Protection of their right to organize and assemble.
Protection of their right to participate in organizations essentially open to the public -- except for atheists.
Among other things.
As can be seen from past treatment of blacks, Hispanics, Jews, women, gays, and others, when protections for civil rights are not made explicit in law, they are frequently ignored for perceived minorities.
Portland, Oregon represents a small beginning, but any push for equal rights has to start somewhere. Might as well be here.
--
Dr H
"So, I became an anarchist, and all I got was this lousy T-shirt."
Dr H
"So, I became an anarchist, and all I got was this lousy T-shirt."
