If it's okay for a religious employer to fire an employee just because the he's a homosexual, then -?

Question

-- why is it not okay for a homosexual employer to fire a religious person just because he's religious?

(BTW, in many states it's legal to fire a person just because they're homosexual.)

Answer 1

I should preface my comment below by noting that I don't think it's "OK" for anyone to be fired because they are gay or lesbian(the preferred terms, BTW, to "homosexual" for those of those persuasions. My motto is, "what do they prefer to be called? What is most respectful?").

But this is the legal forum, and the premise of your question is basically correct, i.e., it is generally legal for a church organization, say, the Catholic Church, to fire or refuse to hire someone because of their sexuality, where it is not legal for anyone (gay or straight) to fire someone because of their religion.

This is legal because in the case of religion, the society that the religion cannot function (at least with respect to its choice of employees) without a significant degree of freedom to choose who it employs, which in a very real sense is who belongs to that religion. In like fashion, it is also acceptable and legal for a church or temple to only hire employees, be they bookkeepers or lawyers, who belong to that body's religion, a type of discrimination not allowed the general public.

The flip side is not true. Being homosexual does not entail or require any sort of freedom to act in the employment realm.

In constitutional terms, the religious employer's right to operate free from the government's intrusion in its choice of employees impinges on the gay employee's right to avoid otherwise unlawful discrimination.

The gay employer has no such right.

Answer 2

I think it's wrong for religious people to fire homosexuals just because they like the same sex. Likewise, it's wrong for a homosexual to fire a religious person because they strongly believe in a religion. Everyone is equal, whether he be religious, homosexual or a criminal. People should realize that many times in these situations, employers fire their employees for the wrong reason. A homosexual could be great in math, yet the employer chooses to fire the homosexual because of his sexual preference. A religious man could be great at cooking, yet the homosexual chooses to fire the man because he believes in God. I hope gay people one day earn rights in America.

Answer 3

Neither one is ok.... just based on the facts presented.... If you are homosexual AND late for work or a crappy performer then you can be fired..... however, not just for being homosexual.... and in return if you are religious and late for work or working people at the water cooler to join the Jehovah's Witness... then again you can be fired.... but being a homosexual or being religious is not grounds for termination... we have in our country laws that protect us from this.... if this is coming from your experience... i recommend that you go to the equal opportunity employment commission and file a complaint (EEOC). People in our world never cease to amaze me!!!!

Answer 4

People have different beliefs, and from my experiences, these can cause some brutal arguments. 50 years ago, racism against blacks was the issue, and that is almost resolved now. Today, homophobia is rising up, and it will be resolved in the future. 50 years ago, it was possible to fire someone because they were black. It isn't okay today. You can't fire someone based on their religion, whether you're homosexual or heterosexual. You can discriminate people on what they believe in. My sister is in a cult, and I don't judge her on that.

Answer 5

It would depend on what was actually put down as the reason for dismissal. If you were still in a probationary period, than they don't even have to tell you why you were let go. Your religion is something that you cannot be discriminated about, look up discrimination and the exceptions in the Human Rights Act. But like I said, it depends on what grounds you were dismissed.

Good Luck

Answer 6

I worked in a large international corporation. We had several homosexuals. Most of the time, it was only through private contacts that we realized they were homosexual, since they came to work to work, not recruit lovers.

In the late 70's, we had a real butch lesbian who was line supervisor. She actually had her honey's sit at her desk so they could flirt and bill and coo. She should have been fired, not for being homosexual, but for DOING homosexual on company time and to the company's detriment.

Ditto for heterosexuals who cause problems at work with their heterosexual activities. In fact, no one complains when a heterosexual man is fired for any sort of flirtation or romantic activity on the job -- or even after work.

These gay protection laws are intended to permit gays to recruit and bill and coo on company time, and not be fired. What rot!

Are they going to admit, "We messed around and flirted and acted up on the job, and generally messed up the workplace, and that is why we got fired?" H*** no, they are going to say, "This is evil discrimination because we happen to be gay."

Answer 7

Employers don't need a reason to terminate employment, but if they do feel compeled to state a reason they must ensure it is in compliance with the law. Firing based upon sexual orientation,
religious preference, race, ethnicity etc is against the law. It's
discrimination.

Answer 8

It is OK for an employer to fire an employee for any reason. No one should be forced to employ another person. It is also OK for an employee to quit for any reason. No one should be forced to work for another person against his will.

Answer 9

Because religion is a protected right, life style choice is not protected under the constution.
And for those that say it is not a choice, it is still not a protected right

Answer 10

This wouldn't happen because the queer boss only hires his other **** buddies in the first place...