2006-06-09 FC Workplace Religious Beliefs Deemed Invalid

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From: Dr. Jerry Falwell [webmaster-reply@falwell.com]
Sent: Friday, June 09, 2006 3:46 PM
To: fc@list.falwell.com
Subject: Workplace Religious Beliefs Deemed Invalid
FALWELL CONFIDENTIAL
Insider weekly newsletter to The Moral Majority Coalition and
The Liberty Alliance http://www. moralmajority. com
From: Jerry Falwell
Date: June 9, 2006
Workplace Religious Beliefs Deemed Invalid
A businessman in Arlington, Va., is facing a thorny challenge after he made a workplace decision based
on his Christian beliefs. The problem: the man's action has angered a homosexual activist who is
making an issue of his decision.
In fact, this week, a suit was filed in Arlington (Va.) Circuit Court on behalf of businessman Tim Bono
and his Bono Film and Video, Inc.
Here's what brought about the need for the suit: a lesbian activist named Lilli M. Vincenz asked Mr.
Bono to duplicate two documentaries titled, "Gay and Proud" and "Second Largest Minority." When
Mr. Bono informed Ms. Vincenz that his company does not duplicate material that is obscene, that
might embarrass employees or that runs counter to his Christian and ethical values, Ms. Vincenz took
offense. She quickly filed a complaint with the Arlington County Human Rights Commission under the
county's nondiscrimination ordinance, which includes "sexual orientation."
She found a sympathetic panel.
In April, the commission directed Mr. Bono to "provide the requested duplication service at the
complainant's expense or in the altemative to assist the complainant in locating a suitable facility where
this service can be provided at the Bono Film and Video's expense."
Apparently one's religious views must be confined to the home and at church, because the commission
essentially said that Mr. Bono's religious beliefs — in his own place of business — were infringing on
the rights of an individual.
The lawsuit, filed by Liberty Counsel on behalf of Mr. Bono, challenges the authority of the commission
to order him to provide a service that counters his sincerely-held beliefs.
The suit alleges violations of Mr. Bono's freedom of speech, free exercise of religion and sections 12
and 16 of the Virginia Constitution. Further, Liberty Counsel says the state's "Dillon's Rule" prohibits
local governments from passing or enforcing nondiscrimination laws that are not authorized by the state.
(The state does not list "sexual orientation" as a protected civil right or class.)
Erik Stanley, chief counsel of Liberty Counsel, stated: "As a newspaper is not required to run every
proposed ad, so a duplicator or printer is not obligated to reproduce every proposed copy. Mr. Bono
does not have to reproduce a customer's hate speech, obscenity or pornography, nor may a customer
5/6/2008 10:42 AM