Pennsylvania: College Denies Wiccan a Job?

Judith Smell is a Wiccan who claims that she was denied a permanent job at Lehigh Carbon Community College because of her religious beliefs. It certainly wouldn't be the first time that a Wiccan was discriminated against in America, but details on this case seem to be spotty at best.

The Morning Call reports:

Across the nation, other witches have turned to the courts to protect their right to employment, to wear religious jewelry and to have custody of their children. Despite stereotypes of witches casting spells against people, Smell said she adheres to a Wiccan principle prohibiting followers from wishing harm to anyone.

In August 2003, she applied for the job on a permanent basis after the regular employee decided to not return. She provided 15 written recommendations from faculty members and department heads who ''enthusiastically and unequivocally'' supported her being hired, according to her suit. But the college refused to hire her solely because of her religious beliefs, she alleges. ... Members of the faculty, staff and student body supported her, she said, but some administrators did not, questioning whether she should be wearing the [Wiccan] jewelry.

As I noted above, details are spotty. Smell hasn't said much and the college won't say anything. If the only evidence she has is a question about her jewelry, she is justified in being suspicious — but justified in filing a lawsuit? I don’t know. She says she hasn't experienced discrimination before, and that would suggest that she isn't simply being oversensitive. Still, I'm not sure what is going on here.

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• Religious Intolerance & Bigotry