Honestly curious

[Yosh]

I was meandering the Interwebz and found this: Diner owner ends 'praying in public' discount after scrutiny

Short version if you don't want to read the article: " A local diner that received attention from around the world for giving a discount to those who took a moment to pray, meditate or simply say "thank you" before their meal will stop offering the discount due to the threat of a lawsuit.

A group called the Freedom from Religion Foundation in Wisconsin stirred the pot Tuesday by releasing a letter accusing Mary's Gourmet Diner owner Mary Haglund of violating the Civil Rights Act by denying "customers who do not pray and nonbelievers the right to 'full and equal' enjoyment of Mary's Gourmet Diner."

Now, believe it or not, I'm less interested in any potential religious aspect of this, e.g., religion in a public place, or religious people getting an "advantage," or whatever. What I'm curious about is if the group that threatened to sue has any legal foundation.

What if the diner owners gave a discount for some other, arbitrary set of conditions? Say, maybe the owner thought red-headed women were prettier and discounted their meals? Would they still be in "violation" as is alleged?

I'm honestly curious about the legal aspects.

[FZR1KG]

Beats me.
I'd just pray to the lord Satan and take my discount.
If he refused, then it's time to sue the hell out of him!

[The Supreme Canuck]

The Civil Rights Act of 1964. It prohibits discrimination on the grounds of (among other things) religion in the provision of services to the public. Title II of the Act lists restaurants as a business sector within the scope of the law.

I have no idea or opinion as to the merits of the action, but I imagine that this would be its basis in law.

[Yosh]

The Civil Rights Act of 1964. It prohibits discrimination on the grounds of (among other things) religion in the provision of services to the public. Title II of the Act lists restaurants as a business sector within the scope of the law.

I have no idea or opinion as to the merits of the action, but I imagine that this would be its basis in law.

Thank you, Sir.

[code monkey]

according to your summary, the discount was given to those who prayed, meditated or said 'thank you'. (meditated on what? said 'thank you' to whom?) i'm not a lawyer but it seems that given the 2 last ways to earn the discount, the case would not have been successful. i also fully understand why the owners did not want to go into court.

there'd be no problem with discounts for redheads. hair coloring does not define a protected class.

i seem to recall that bars would have reduced-price drinks for women on certain nights and that there were court challenges to the practice. i have no idea what the outcome was.

[SciFiFisher]

i seem to recall that bars would have reduced-price drinks for women on certain nights and that there were court challenges to the practice. i have no idea what the outcome was.

IIRC most women's nights and happy hour discounts have been severely restricted as a result of the lawsuits.

[SciFiFisher]

Truthfully, I think she should raise her prices 10% and post a notice that says she had to do it because the "freedom from religion" league was demanding Tribute.

[squ1d]

Now that Yosh's actual question has been answered, I have a follow up question.

If you want into this woman's restaurant, would you mediate, give thanks or pray in order to get the discount?

Personally, I would get extremely annoyed and leave.

[SciFi Chick]

Personally, I would get extremely annoyed and leave.

Same here. But, here in the U.S., especially in rural areas, people assume that you're a Christian.

I thought it was bad where I live, but while I was on my trip to visit my uncle, in either Tennessee or Georgia (can't remember which), I saw a billboard that said, "Jesus is Lord. And you know it!"

Pissed me off.

[FZR1KG]

The South supports and fully believes in the freedom of the Christian religion.

[Swift]

If you want into this woman's restaurant, would you mediate, give thanks or pray in order to get the discount?

Personally, I would get extremely annoyed and leave.

I would pull out my portable alter to Athenia, make a small sacrifice (maybe just burn some incense - I'm not talking about a goat or anything), and then ask for the discount.

[FZR1KG]

Hey, Front Royal recently repealed a law that made it illegal to read tarot cards, have pagan shops and run a business reading fortunes, by a split decision. So it's going to be voted on again.
Ah the biblay belt of the USA.

[SciFiFisher]

Now that Yosh's actual question has been answered, I have a follow up question.

If you want into this woman's restaurant, would you mediate, give thanks or pray in order to get the discount?

Personally, I would get extremely annoyed and leave.

And you would be perfectly within your rights to leave. No one is forcing you to pray or be thankful. Just offering you an incentive to do so.

[SciFiFisher]

If you want into this woman's restaurant, would you mediate, give thanks or pray in order to get the discount?

Personally, I would get extremely annoyed and leave.

I would pull out my portable alter to Athenia, make a small sacrifice (maybe just burn some incense - I'm not talking about a goat or anything), and then ask for the discount.

Go Athenia! Are you an Atheniaist if you pray to her?

[Sigma_Orionis]

Now that's a new one, I could have never guessed that Ocean Liners sunken on WWII had such a devoted following

[Swift]

Too bad it isn't an Italian restaurant, or I'd sacrifice a big plate of His Noodleness Himself.

[Sigma_Orionis]

You are Heretic! Heathen! Infidel!

Everyone knows that the one true god is the Great Green Arkleseizure!.

I hereby declare a FATWAH against you and all of your kind!

My brothers: those who bring holy justice these godless heretics will be spared when the Great While Handkerchief comes to pass!

And remember: at the Sigma Orionis General Store, you can find all you need to round up a posse to strike down those heathens.

For a Limited Time only, get a 15% discount on all torches and pitchforks by saying "Praise the GGA" at the cashier

*Offer only available for the truly faithful, certain restrictions apply, consult your local voodoo doctor for details

Faith Moves Mountains but ye gots to pay

[FZR1KG]

Just stop it you, noble savage!

[Sigma_Orionis]

Do you mind? I'm trying to raise some business here!

[FZR1KG]

Sell poison dart frog arrows to American bow hunters, along with a tree stand because these are the skills that real hunters need to survive in the rugged American wilderness of 1/4 acre.

[Swift]

What's a fat wah? Are there also skinny wahs? Does it become fat because of too much fast food?



(I tried to pick the most inappropriate smiley I could. I'm sorry if this one makes any sense at all.)

[Sigma_Orionis]

Sell poison dart frog arrows to American bow hunters, along with a tree stand because these are the skills that real hunters need to survive in the rugged American wilderness of 1/4 acre.

You think I'd have a chance of selling those at the Shenandoah Valley?

[Sigma_Orionis]

What's a fat wah? Are there also skinny wahs? Does it become fat because of too much fast food?

Would you believe me if I told that that it's an oversized eggroll? and that skinny wahs are the low cal versions?

(I tried to pick the most inappropriate smiley I could. I'm sorry if this one makes any sense at all.)

Don't you worry Innapropiate is my second middle name

[SciFiFisher]

Sell poison dart frog arrows to American bow hunters, along with a tree stand because these are the skills that real hunters need to survive in the rugged American wilderness of 1/4 acre.

ahem... the poison dart frog is an endangered species. You are in violation of the EPA, the DEA, and the FDA. And the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Poison Dart Frogs (SPCPDF) has declared you human non gratis.

[FZR1KG]

Sell poison dart frog arrows to American bow hunters, along with a tree stand because these are the skills that real hunters need to survive in the rugged American wilderness of 1/4 acre.

ahem... the poison dart frog is an endangered species. You are in violation of the EPA, the DEA, and the FDA. And the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Poison Dart Frogs (SPCPDF) has declared you human non gratis.

I intend to farm them and since it's a non lethal method it will thus increase their numbers by commercial enterprise.
It's a win win for everyone.