Madison, Wis., Council Votes To Ban Discrimination Against Atheism

[cbayer]

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2015/04/01/396856409/madison-council-votes-to-ban-discrimination-against-atheism

APRIL 01, 2015 2:49 PM ET
BILL CHAPPELL

In what is believed to be a first in the United States, the Common Council of Madison, Wis., has voted to amend the city's equal opportunities ordinance "to add nonreligion as a protected class."

The legislation adds atheists to the categories of people who could potentially face discrimination. It was co-sponsored by 14 of the council's 20 members and approved without objection Tuesday night.

Atheism is defined in the ordinance as "the disbelief or lack of belief in the existence of God or gods."

"This is important because I believe it is only fair that if we protect religion, in all its varieties, we should also protect non-religion from discrimination. It's only fair," said Alderwoman Anita Weier, the bill's chief sponsor, according to Madison's WISC TV.

more at link

[safeinOhio]

1. Freedom of thought should not only be protected.

it should be encouraged.

A free and responsible search for truth and meaning

[cbayer]

2. Agree. It's a shame that this was needed, but good that they addressed it.

[niyad]

3. that ought to make the reichwingnutjobs heads explode.

[cbayer]

4. With the increased number of these religious discrimination laws, I think it's

necessary and I hope it spreads.

Reichwingnutjobs need to be countered at this point.

[longship]

5. Madison is home to Freedom From Religion Foundation.

FFRF, which is headed by Dan Barker and Annie Laurie-Gaylor.

It is a good outfit. Barker, a former evangelical Christian also helped found The Clergy Project, a support group for clergy who no longer believe. He is a good guy.

[cbayer]

6. FFRF is a great organization and proving to be highly effective.

They don't engage in showboating. They just consistently do the right thing and do it well.

The Clergy Project is also really good. Kudos to Dan Barker.

[longship]

14. How can anybody dislike Dan Barker?

He is just plain a nice guy. (I mean other than some of his hokey music. ) However, I've heard him play jazz on occasion. He is quite good at it. He is quite the pianist.

I listen to Freethought Today podcast fairly regularly.

Spring is here in the North Woods. Almost all the snow is gone. First rain of the season today. That should wipe out the rest of the snow. Happy! Happy!

[cbayer]

15. I don't know that much about him other than his involvement in these two organizations.

So glad you are finally getting some spring! It's starting to heat up here and we are stuck in a marina for another week or so, but then we will be heading out to do some adventurizing.

Hope it doesn't snow on you again this year.

[longship]

16. No mo snow! ;-) nt

[guillaumeb]

7. agreed

the principle behind the First Amendment cannot change to fit the situation or it is not really a principle.

Too bad it has to be codified in law.

[cbayer]

8. Even though I think it is generally understand that the civil rights protections

apply to atheists when it comes to religion, I think it's a good thing to codify it at this point.

[guillaumeb]

9. when you say it is generally understood

I think you are much too optimistic.

[cbayer]

10. I'm pretty sure that the courts have generally ruled in favor of

those who brought cases of discrimination.

There is a grey area though. If the employer is fully a religious organization, then they are permitted to restrict hiring to those that share that religion. This has been an issue in some catholic schools this past year.

[stone space]

11. Not when it comes to Civil Religion.

Even though I think it is generally understand that the civil rights protections apply to atheists when it comes to religion

There the discrimination is blatant.

[cbayer]

13. What is Civil Religion mean in this context?

I looked it up, but I don't see how it applies here, because it doesn't seem to have anything to do with whether one is a religious believer or not.

[Htom Sirveaux]

12. I think this is a great idea, and I hope it spreads rapidly. nt