January 19, 2000
Goverment joins ex-pastor in suit
___RALEIGH, N.C. (BP)--The federal government is supporting the religious discrimination claim of a former Southern Baptist pastor who said his beliefs cost him his job at a North Carolina newspaper.
___The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has sued the Raleigh News & Observer for alleged discrimination and unfair employment practices. The suit asks that Tim Wilkins be awarded back pay, reinstatement and punitive damages.
___He contends the newspaper discharged him because he believes homosexuality is wrong.
___At one time a pastor, Wilkins now operates a ministry that seeks to help people leave the homosexual lifestyle. He was fired less than a month after a story appeared in the paper about his work with the ministry, which is called CROSS.
___The commission alleges the newspaper discriminated against Wilkins by failing to promote him. It also said the paper discharged him because of his religious beliefs, including his belief that gay men and women can be transformed into heterosexuals.
___It asks for an injunction against the News & Observer to prevent further discrimination and that the court order it to institute a policy prohibiting religious discrimination.
___In answer to the suit filed in late November with the U.S. Eastern District Court, attorneys for the newspaper deny it engaged in any unlawful employment practice.
___Attorneys for the paper contend Wilkins was passed over for a promotion by a more qualified candidate. They claim he also was discharged for "repeated failure to perform his employment duties and repeated acts of insubordination."
___Wilkins previously contested those claims.Contents/ Masthead / Why We're Here / Links / Archive / E-mail us/ SUBSCRIBE!