Son Sues Father for Religious Discrimination

Lawsuits over religious discrimination aren’t exactly common, but they aren’t a rarity either. What is rare is for a son to be suing his father over alleged religious discrimination. The fact that he’s breaking up with his wife might have something to do with it.

According to the Star Tribune:

At issue is whether Steven Sarenpa lost his job over an extramarital relationship -- he is separated from his wife, who also works at the family business -- because it crossed his parents' Christian principles or because it hurt his work. ... Steve said it was his father and stepmother who created a hostile work environment -- for him. He remembers meeting with them "yelling at me, telling me what a sinner I am, that there's never a reason for adultery. "It kept turning personal," Steve said. "It was personal. ... I was being grounded in my apartment." Steve sued Roger and Mary last month, charging them with discrimination based on religion and marital status. Steve argues that he lost his job because he has a romantic relationship that is against their religious principles because he is married.

Family businesses always mix family and business, but sometimes that mix can turn volatile. Here that mix may have resulting in religious discrimination, at least if Steven’s allegations are at all true. It wouldn’t be that strange for a boss to take a dim view of an employee because of the former’s religious beliefs. The question is, how many decisions were based upon valid business issues and how many were based upon unreasonable religious demands?

Read More:

• Secularism 101
• Separation of Church and State 101