Thomas Cox's article "Thou Shalt Not Discriminate"
was featured in the May 2015 issue of Atlanta Tribune
Magazine.
Since the founding of our great nation, the ability of
individuals to engage in the free expression of religion has been a
right guaranteed to every American. Does the right to free
religious expression prevail in the workplace as well? On the other
hand, does the employer have the right to conduct the workplace in
a manner that is free from the open expression of religion? Can an
employer treat employees differently because of religion?
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits covered
employers from discriminating against applicants or employees on
the basis of religion. Under Title VII, the term
"religion" encompasses all aspects of religious
observance and practice, as well as belief. In essence, the claim
of religious discrimination is generally based on an alleged
conflict between a job requirement and an employee's sincerely
held
