Barry Duke, the Angry Atheist

Raymond Zdunski, above, was sacked after refusing to attend a mandatory workplace LGBTQ training course.

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1. 

   Saw that, thanks. Gave it a pass as there were more important stories this week.

2. 

   Hi Barry. Of any interest: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/may/27/missouri-nun-body-intact-four-years >

3. 

   He never seems to have much to say about the thousands of paedophile priests that the RCC harbours…

4. 

   The whole world seems to be in the grip of religious lunatics that seem determined to foist their delusions upon…

5. 

   […] and public schools—one that dealt with school prayer and another requiring classrooms to hang donated Ten Commandments signs—never made…

AFTER losing his lawsuit last year against Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES), Zdunski suffered another blow when an appeals court judge in Manhattan tossed his case.

Zdunski sought reinstatement, back pay and $10 million in damages, but District Judge Geoffrey W Crawford dismissed the case a year ago.

Zdunski argued that the LGBT+ awareness training programme held by in 2018 BOCES was:

Aimed at changing his religious beliefs about gender and sexuality.

Both judges disagreed with Zdunski’s claims of “unlawful religious discrimination” and sided with BOCES.

The pissed-off bigot responded to the ruling by saying:

It just seems like the country is against the Christian way of life …. We’re not allowed to practice our way of life but anyone else can, it seems.

His former employer insisted that Zdunski was fired after repeatedly refusing to complete the mandatory training programme that was designed to facilitate a safe environment for students and staff.

David O’Rourke, above, district superintendent and CEO of BOCES said.

We agree with the decisions of both the United States District Court and the Court of Appeals, and remain committed to fostering a safe and supportive environment for all students and staff.

After refusing to take part in the training session, Zdunski asked his bosses to schedule a mandatory training session concerning the persecution of Christians.

Anti-discrimination training is mandated by NY state law

In last year’s court ruling against Zdunski, judge Crawford noted that state law requires BOCES to provide annual anti-discrimination trainings for all employees to maintain an environment free of discrimination and harassment.

If BOCES allowed Zdunski to skip the training, it would have violated the requirements in the Dignity for All Students Act for anti-discrimination training that all BOCES employees must complete as a condition of their employment, Crawford said

Zdunski’s lawyer, Kristina S. Heuser, said his rights were violated:

For no other reason than his refusal to be indoctrinated with anti-biblical teaching. Though the lower courts did not find in his favor, we are not deterred and will seek redress from the US Supreme Court.

Before the case first came to court Zdunski, deacon at Fluvanna Community Church in Jamestown (motto: “Help us to spread Christs [sic] love) said:

I feel this training goes against the teachings of the Bible. To accept these teachings is to accept sin. God taught us not to accept sin.

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