Thank
you for visiting
My issue:
Homosexual Pornography subscribed to and distributed by a church staff member
of the St. Andrew United Methodist Church
in Panama City FL. When we voiced our concerns about the offensive material
being sent to our home e-mail, my wife’s employment of 13 years was terminated.
She was offered no hearing without a chance to explain just simply fired.
My Complaint:
The individual who subscribes to and sent the most offensive material was
retained in a position of leadership in the St. Andrew United Methodist
Church.
My Question:
Should the separation of Church and State, as described in the United States
Constitution, allow a church to act in such a way? Though Florida is an “At
Will” employment state, acts of retaliation are specifically prohibited by
Florida law. However, the courts, we
have found, are hesitant to intervene in these situations regardless of the
injustice to the real victim. Why do I
say we were the victim? We were the ones who received the e-mail and were
offended. I, a non employee of the church, spoke out against it, not my wife.
The church fired my wife for what I accurately stated. I am offended by anyone
at any time sending Homosexual Pornography.
Evidence: I
cannot send or post the material sent since it is very graphic and lewd. If
anyone doubts what I am saying and would like to see additional proof, I will
gladly furnish 30+ pages of evidence that proves that the individual in a
position of paid leadership in the St. Andrew United Methodist Church in Panama
City Florida subscribes to http://www.tlavideo.com/
and that he did send it to several persons within the church, outside the
general congregation and that the Pastor’s 14 year old daughter received the
material.
Actions to Date: I have contacted the Alabama West
Florida Bishop of the United Methodist Church. He has no control of local issues within a
church. If this can happen to my wife, I’m sure issues very similar are
occurring at other churches as it pertains to fair employment practices. Below
I’ve posted a few recent news articles that are comparable to our own. However,
the difference is no one, attorney, news media, politicians etc is willing to
address this head on. If a woman fired for saying Merry Christmas makes the
front page of the local news paper yet a church fires my wife because I
strongly object to receiving vivid Homosexual pornography what can I say. People there is something wrong and somebody
isn’t getting the my point. We have no problem with the other issues being
addressed and having light put on them but it’s funny how when it’s a church
involved, everybody looks the other way.
Please review the links below
for a much more though understanding of this issue and why we will not stop
fighting for what is right.
http://www.geocities.com/churchethics/saumc.pdf Letter I sent to the Bishop (Note
attachments are not included at this time).
http://www.geocities.com/churchethics/saumcemail.pdf Some of the e-mail traffic more can be
provided upon request.
http://www.geocities.com/churchethics/choirdirmemo.pdf One of a few e-mails sent by the individual
who sent the e-mail
http://www.geocities.com/churchethics/termination.pdf The employment termination letter
http://www.themethodistchurch.com A broader church perspective
http://www.rickross.com/groups/clergy.html Clergy Abuse cases
http://www.geocities.com/churchethics/unemployment.pdf Church/State unintended consequences
http://news.aol.com/article/pastor-ted-haggard/317200 A recent scandal with a prominent minister.
Are music directors exempt?
Recent
News Article of 13 year old girl charged You decide the greater Sin? A 13
year old adolescent or a Music Director employed by a church.
Another
Story on front page of News Herald Woman loses job for saying “Merry
Christmas”...Church director keeps job and sends porn?
http://www.chipleypaper.com/news/leads_2449___article.html/chipley_porn.html Washington County Employee fired over Porn
web site access.
Barry
Carter
contact me
