What would Jesus Decide?

The Supreme Court recently rendered an unanimous decision in the case of Hosanna-Tabor vs. EEOC ruling against the Americans with Disabilities Act. The Supreme Court agreed, for the first time explicitly recognizing a “ministerial exception” to the ADA and other federal civil rights laws.

Quick summation: Cheryl Perich, a teacher at Hosanna-Tabor Evangelical Lutheran Church and School, had taken a leave of absence after being diagnosed with narcolepsy, and was asked to resign when her doctor released her to return to work.  You must know that Perich was considered a "called" teacher, a minister's status,  and earned higher pay and tax breaks that her lay teacher colleagues did not.  Perich was replaced by a lay teacher.  After refusing to resign (a "peaceful release" according to the church), Perich was fired. 

The high court decided to focus on the fact that Perich was considered a minister, and religious bodies must be free to decide who will “preach their beliefs, teach their faith, and carry out their mission.” Okay, I can go along with that.  But why, suddenly after a medical issue, is Perich not qualified to do this? 

This is why ADA and the Family Medical Leave Act are so important. This legislation provides for job protection for individuals with disabilities and family medical emergencies. Then why did this church get away with firing Perich?  

Ah, yes, the "ministerial exception."

 

I don't know what disgusts me more - the Supreme Court ruling against protecting the jobs of people with disabilities , or the fact that a church was the institution firing the worker with a disability.  A Christian church, as in "of, pertaining to, believing in, or belonging to the religion based on the teachings of Jesus Christ."  I've read the Bible cover to cover and can't remember the part after Jesus healed the sick man, when he got fired from his job.  Maybe it's in the King James.

Keep a watchful eye on this court. SCOTUS ON NOTICE!

General Contact Information:

Supreme Court of the United States
 1 First Street, NE
 Washington, DC 20543

Telephone:202-479-3000
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Let's See...

Wednesday was cold, grey, and rainy.  Metro Bi-State transit forgot to pick me up for my ADA eligibility interview at their office in the Central West End.  I'm not surprised by this, although providing transportation is supposed to be their primary purpose for business.  Many stories to come of adventures of public transportation. 

As I stared out my front door onto an empty driveway, waiting for a Call-a-Ride short bus to pull up any minute, and being consistently disappointed, I knew this was the beginning of an adventurous day maneuvering to three different appointments.  Seems simple to people who drive cars and can see, but for me, it will require every ounce of bravery and cunning inside me. 


The adventures I had that day have inspired this blog.  The average person doesn't recognize the challenges people with disabilities face in everyday life, in completing even the most mundane tasks.  I don't expect this blog to change the world, but it may enlighten a few people, keep it more in the front of their minds, and foster some understanding and appreciation for the bravery exhibited every day by people with disabilities.