Ex-Air Force contractor says Christian co-workers called her a ‘Hindu witch’ before she was fired

[unhappycamper]

http://www.rawstory.com/2015/10/ex-air-force-contractor-says-christian-co-workers-called-her-a-hindu-witch-before-she-was-fired/



Ex-Air Force contractor says Christian co-workers called her a ‘Hindu witch’ before she was fired
Arturo Garcia
09 Oct 2015 at 21:12 ET

A former Air Force contractor has filed a lawsuit against a dental clinic in Fort Meade, Maryland for allegedly harassing and firing her for following the Hindu religion, the Air Force Times reported.

Deborah Schoenfeld said she was fired on Sept. 2, the same day she filed a formal complaint regarding the bullying to which she was allegedly subjected during her time working at Epes Dental Clinic by fellow staff members.

Attorneys for the Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRFF) contacted officials at the base saying that Schoenfeld was accused of “witchcraft” and “bringing demons into the office,” while also being called a “Hindu witch.”

The suit also argued that Schoenfeld was not allowed to know who made the accusations against her, but that she was told by her superiors to pray against the Supreme Court decision striking down bans on same-sex marriage, a decision described against “an abomination to their religion.”

[Fred Sanders]

1. Christian extremism is far a greater threat to America than any other religious extremism.

Anyone see much not-Christian extremism in America? Other than the Satan worshippers?

Isn't that obvious by now with the Carson's and the Cruz's and of course, extremist Catholic Channel, Fox?

[RKP5637]

2. Christian Taliban Soldiers. Much of America is asleep with their love affair with religion.

I just don't think millions of Americans pay attention to a F'en thing. Exactly!!! "Christian extremism is far a greater threat to America than any other religious extremism."

[mountain grammy]

3. As an atheist, I view religion as silly and ridiculous..

but religious extremism is dangerous and the reason for the first amendment, which is violated in this case.

[packman]

4. The military has always had a "special" attachment to religion

which makes sense in that we, as a nation, are asking them to sacrifice - if need be - their lives. A belief system that promises a heavenly end for that sacrifice would have a strong appeal. The Air Force with its recent revelations about evangelizing at its campus revealed how deeply held religion is in that branch.

[jwirr]

7. It makes sense in that the recruits have religions of their

own they want to follow. But should only apply to the recruit that WANTS to have a chaplain. When my s-i-l went to boot camp he was forced to go to a church service when he did not even know what church he wanted to go to.

Secondly during the rw W era the evangelicals did exactly what they are trying to do to all government co-opt it as their own. Where as the chaplains used to be there for the soldiers and were of different religions - Christian or Jewish mostly - the rw has acted like they own the recruits and demand they go to a Christian service only. This is totally wrong. A recruit should be able to say NO and there should be more religions represented in the chaplaincy program.

But I do not see much being done about this.

[Fla Dem]

5. Religious intolerance and religious conformity has been a problem for the AF for a while.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/17/air-force-academy-religion-proselytism_n_1678092.html

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/06/22/AR2005062200598.html

http://www.salon.com/2014/09/17/air_forces_mind_boggling_violation_members_forced_to_swear_religious_allegiance/

[Overseas]

8. K&R.

[Baitball Blogger]

6. The Air Force likes to think of themselves as an elite group.

I believe this push for Christian members escalated during the Bush years. No surprise to find someone who would encounter this kind of discrimination.

[HubertHeaver]

10. I always thought the fundy boys needed their military cred

and the Air Force was seen as the easier way to acquire such. Forty-five years ago they were lower ranking (E-2, E-3, occasionally E-4) PITA. I knew of three at Phan Rang and worked with one at U Tapao.

[Baitball Blogger]

11. That's a surprise.

If there is any elitism thinking in the military, it usually comes from the Air Force. Wonder if this fundy purity infiltration had anything to do with that kind of thinking.

[HubertHeaver]

12. That feeling of elitism can be traced back to the

Army Air Corp days. The Air Corp always had beds with two clean sheets every night. The others, not so much.

[Overseas]

9. So glad the Military Religious Freedom Foundation is taking up the case.

They do good work.

http://www.militaryreligiousfreedom.org/