Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Splarnst · 09-25-2005, 06:34 PM

I've noticed locally that certain businesses give discounts if you present a church bulletin and I was wondering about the legality of this practice.

Just today I ate lunch The Loop Pizza Grill and I noticed that, written on their window, it said you get a 10% discount if you show them a church bulletin. I immediately thought that this might be illegal. I realize that having a bulletin doesn't prove that you actually attended services or that you're a member of the church, much less that you profess the orthodox beliefs thereof. Still it strikes me as wrong. Does anyone know anything more about this type of thing?

Calantorntain · 09-25-2005, 07:15 PM

Print your own for the Landover Baptist church :devil3:

Toto · 09-25-2005, 07:20 PM

I recall a similar case, involving a discount admission to a ball game - yes here it is:

Church bulletin discount

Quote:

The Maryland Commission on Human Relations filed charges last week against the Hagerstown Suns baseball team for promoting a discriminatory "Church Bulletin Day" discount to families attending games. The action is a victory for Waynesboro, Pa. Atheist Carl Silverman, who has been protesting the church discount since he went to a game on April 12, 1998 with his two daughters. Upon approaching the ticket booth, Silverman noticed that families of up to six persons were receiving a group admission rate if they produced a church bulletin.

But then the case got more complicated: here and was finally settled after intense legal wrangling

From Religious Tolerance

Quote:

However a settlement was reached through negotiations. The Suns agreed to stop the special "church bulletin" promotion and replace it with a "Sunday Family Bulletin Day." Anyone bringing any publication from "any church, house of worship, civic or nonprofit" group will be admitted at a discount. An attorney for the plaintiff, Michael Berman, saod: "We consider this a total victory for our position. The Suns have agreed to discontinue the use of 'church bulletin' as the name for any and all promotions...Our position has always been that when a business opens its door to the public, under the public accommodation law that business has to open its door to everyone without discrimination on the basis of religion, race or gender," Berman declared. We believe we have achieved that objective." Dwight Sullivan, an attorney for the ACLU Maryland Office said: "The agreement we've got now is important, especially since the use of the word 'church' suggests a limitation to Christians. So, the description will no longer exclude minority religions, and equally important it doesn't discriminate against atheists or agnostics since it's no longer restricted to religious bulletins."

In Florida you have:

Florida Human Rights Act

Q. What protection does Florida law provide against discrimination?
A. It is against the law to discriminate in:
. . .

LODGING OR FOOD SERVICE ESTABLISHMENTS on the basis of race, color, creed, sex, national origin or physical disability.

You can file a complaint with the Florida Commission on Human Relations.

jaded_revenge · 09-26-2005, 12:00 AM

So there you go, you have some common law to back you up!

Arizonaepu · 09-26-2005, 01:09 AM

Provide them with a copy of the Freedom From Religion Foundation's Freethought Today magazine.

Worldtraveller · 09-26-2005, 06:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arizonaepu

Provide them with a copy of the Freedom From Religion Foundation's Freethought Today magazine.

That's an excellent suggestion!

It is the freethought equivalent to a church bulletin. And if they won't honor it, you've got grounds to force the issue, if you're so inclined.

Cheers,
Lane

Rhaedas · 09-26-2005, 06:20 AM

I'd be torn between a legitimate freethought publication and Landover.

It's also a great way to utilize the otherwise annoying and trash-destined Watchtower publications. Hey, a discount for someone else's ignorance.

gravitybow · 09-26-2005, 08:07 AM

Here's a link to the latest North Texas Church of Freethought bulletin. "A Fellowship of Unbelievers."
September 5 bulletin, pdf format

Jakanapes · 09-26-2005, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rhaedas

I'd be torn between a legitimate freethought publication and Landover.

It's also a great way to utilize the otherwise annoying and trash-destined Watchtower publications. Hey, a discount for someone else's ignorance.

Is there not a Satanic Church bulletin that you could use?

Rhaedas · 09-26-2005, 09:35 AM

Seemingly any group bulletin would work, from the local Cub Scouts to a book club letter. Kind of makes the whole thing pointless in the end.

I would use the two above before a Satanic one simply because I tend to lean towards that direction more; freethought in general, or satire of christianity. I might as well submit an honest bulletin, not just one to get a discount, right?

Satanism is a bit too self-centric for me anyway.

09-25-2005, 06:34 PM	#1
Splarnst Contributor Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Jacksonville, Florida Posts: 13,161	Discounts for Theists? I've noticed locally that certain businesses give discounts if you present a church bulletin and I was wondering about the legality of this practice. Just today I ate lunch The Loop Pizza Grill and I noticed that, written on their window, it said you get a 10% discount if you show them a church bulletin. I immediately thought that this might be illegal. I realize that having a bulletin doesn't prove that you actually attended services or that you're a member of the church, much less that you profess the orthodox beliefs thereof. Still it strikes me as wrong. Does anyone know anything more about this type of thing?

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

09-25-2005, 07:15 PM	#2
Calantorntain Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: School Posts: 633	Print your own for the Landover Baptist church :devil3:

09-26-2005, 12:00 AM	#4
jaded_revenge Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Australia, Canberra Posts: 2,662	So there you go, you have some common law to back you up!

09-26-2005, 01:09 AM	#5
Arizonaepu Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Arizona Posts: 514	Provide them with a copy of the Freedom From Religion Foundation's Freethought Today magazine.

09-26-2005, 06:20 AM	#7
Rhaedas Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: USA Posts: 3,440	I'd be torn between a legitimate freethought publication and Landover. It's also a great way to utilize the otherwise annoying and trash-destined Watchtower publications. Hey, a discount for someone else's ignorance.

09-26-2005, 08:07 AM	#8
gravitybow Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Washington, NC Posts: 1,696	Here's a link to the latest North Texas Church of Freethought bulletin. "A Fellowship of Unbelievers." September 5 bulletin, pdf format

09-26-2005, 09:35 AM	#10
Rhaedas Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: USA Posts: 3,440	Seemingly any group bulletin would work, from the local Cub Scouts to a book club letter. Kind of makes the whole thing pointless in the end. I would use the two above before a Satanic one simply because I tend to lean towards that direction more; freethought in general, or satire of christianity. I might as well submit an honest bulletin, not just one to get a discount, right? Satanism is a bit too self-centric for me anyway.

Freethought & Rationalism Archive

The archives are read only.