"I understand that religion is a major part of your life and that was evident in your recommendation letters, however, this field is not the place for religion. . . . We have many patients who come to us for treatment from many different religions and some who believe in nothing. If you interview in the future, you may want to leave your thoughts and beliefs out of the interview process."For background, click headlines below to read previous articles:
-- Adrienne Dougherty, radiation therapy program director
Atheists at Ball State Univ. Forbid Christian to Teach Science
University Says Student's Cross Necklace Offends Freshmen
Florida University Professor Says Priests are Full of Crap
University of North Carolina On Trial for Anti-Christian Bias
In addition, read of the visceral reaction by professors to Christians' free speech and read of Bible bans at colleges and of the endless examples of "higher education" hostility toward Christianity.
-- From "Community college applicant alleges he was rejected because of religious beliefs" by Carrie Wells, The Baltimore Sun 4/23/14
Brandon Jenkins, who is being represented by the Washington-based American Center for Law and Justice, said in the lawsuit that when asked what was most important to him during an interview with CCBC officials as part of the application process last spring, he responded: "My God."
A response from CCBC's attorney Peter S. Saucier, also included in the exhibits, said the school seeks applicants "motivated by an individual passion in the field" and that Jenkins' statement that he was pursuing the program at the behest of God or others "was not a good answer."
In the letter, CCBC's lawyer also pointed out that Jenkins has a criminal record that includes drug and theft charges. The lawyer said CCBC officials told Jenkins that he would have difficulty finding a job in Maryland because of his background. He had said during his interview that he wanted to stay in Maryland.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Community College of Baltimore County Sued for Allegedly Rejecting Student for Religious Reasons" by Molly Greenberg, Senior Writer, Higher Ed Beat, In The Capital 4/24/14
CCBC officials have not commented on the suit, as it is not their policy to comment about pending litigation. That said, college spokeswoman Hope Davis mentioned that the school is committed to diversity.
"We have so many people from so many different backgrounds and so many different cultures," she said. "Just to think that we would discriminate based on religion ... it's just not something that we do."
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "College Student Denied Admission Into Program Because He Said God Is Most Important in His Life" by Melissa Barnhart, Christian Post Reporter 4/25/14
During his interview process with a five-person panel, Jenkins was asked: "What is the most important thing to you?" And he replied, "My God."
But according to ACLJ, a Washington, D.C.–based organization that focuses on defending constitutional and human rights laws worldwide, this was the only time Jenkins commented on his belief in God. The ACLJ also noted that he only did so because he was responding to a question asked by one of the CCBC representatives.
A federal lawsuit was filed Monday [in the U.S. District Court of Maryland] on Jenkins' behalf by the ACLJ, which is asking that Jenkins be granted admission into the program, and that he be awarded damages related to the delay in his admission.
ACLJ Senior Counsel David French told The Christian Post Wednesday that Dougherty's statement to Jenkins is not only "flatly illegal, but also bigoted." He also noted that the "college's own lawyer said that he (Jenkins) shouldn't wear his faith on his sleeve."
French described Jenkins as a "high-character individual," and noted that before he applied to the radiation therapy program, he was helping to run a halfway house, which is work that he continues to do today.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Student claims community college rejected application because of Christian faith" By Todd Starnes, FoxNews.com 4/24/14
Now, I have to admit to being a bit skeptical when I first heard about Mr. Jenkins’ plight – seeing how this is the age of tolerance and diversity. But any doubt I had melted away after his attorney showed me the proverbial smoking gun.
". . . the fact is that in any secular job or program interview it is better to have a concrete reason for wanting to undertake the training at hand than to say only that God directed one to do it,” [the college's attorney Peter] Saucier wrote to the ACLJ. “That is true for every job from astronaut to attorney.”
It sounds to me like the Community College of Baltimore County has a “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” religion policy.
The ACLJ lawsuit names four administrators: Sandra Kurtinitis, Mark McColloch, Richard Lilley and Adrienne Dougherty as defendants. Should they be found guilty of discriminating against this man because of his faith – they should be fired. American tax dollars should not be used to fund the salaries of religious bigots.
Mr. French acknowledged that his client had a single criminal charge on his record – dating back more than 10 years. Early in the admission process, Mr. Jenkins asked if that would be a problem, and he was assured it would not hamper his effort.
To read the entire opinion column above, CLICK HERE.
Also read the myriad cases of colleges and universities discriminating against Christian students.
