Once a government employer gives its employees a venue to express opinions, it must accept whatever beliefs show up, even if they’re religious. That’s according to a federal judge, who ruled last month that a Department of Defense worker has the right to use a bulletin board to express his views concerning homosexuality and abortion.
Garry Lister was convinced that the charity pool at the Defense Logistics Agency in Columbus, Ohio, was contributing to questionable causes. He wanted to post a flier advising fellow employees that when they contribute to charity fundraisers, their money may support abortion, promiscuity and the gay agenda.
Kevin Theriot, an attorney with the Alliance Defense Fund, which represented Lister, said when his client asked for permission to post the flier, he was told religious messages were not allowed.
"They could put a message up there about a concert in the community park," Theriot said, "but if the concert happened to be religious – for instance Handel’s Messiah – then they couldn’t put it up there.”
Federal District Judge Edmund Sargus said that policy violated the First Amendment. Government attorney Fred Alverson is weighing an appeal.
“Right now we’re reviewing it with our client," he told Family News in Focus. "We will determine the most appropriate course of action from there.”
Bruce Hausknecht, judicial analyst for Focus on the Family Action, said the key issue presented in the case means it will likely be appealed.
"This is a battle that will ultimately be fought and won – or lost – at the Supreme Court,” he said.
