Jul 5, 2012
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A family-owned restaurant in Pennsylvania is under a state discrimination investigation for offering a ten percent discount for diners who present a church bulletin on Sundays.
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The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission confirmed there is an investigation against Prudhomme’s Lost Cajun Kitchen in the town of Columbia. The complaint was filed by John Wolff, a retired electrical engineer.
“I did this not out of spite, but out of a feeling against the prevailing self-righteousness that stems from religion, particular in Lancaster County,” Wolff told the York Daily Record. “I don’t consider it an earth-shaking affair, but in this area in particular, we seem to have so many self-righteous religious people, so it just annoys me.”
According to the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act, a restaurant classified as a public accomodation. As such, restaurants are not allowed to discriminate based on religion — among other things.
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Sharon Prudhomme, who owns the restaurant along with her husband, said she’s not discriminating against anybody – and plans on fighting the charges.
“What freaks me out is the state of Pennsylvania is basically agreeing with this guy,” Prudhomme told Fox News Radio. “We’re just a mom and pop. We’re not some big chain like the Olive Garden.”
Prudhomme said the trouble started in April of 2011 when she received the first of several letters from the Freedom From Religion Foundation. The FFRF is a Wisconsin-based organization of “more than 17,000 freethinkers, atheists, agnostics and skeptics,” according to its website.
The FFRF demanded that she stop giving discounts to patrons who brought in a Sunday church bulletin.
“I just filed it and blew off the other letters,” Prudhomme said. “I said I have no intention of taking it off the website.”
Last Friday the restaurant was served with a 16-page complaint from the state of Pennsylvania – accusing her of discrimination.
“I’m an American,” Prudhomme said. “This is America. This is my business and we’re not breaking any laws.”
She said a representative from the state suggested that she should compromise and sign an agreement that she would offer discounts to any civic organization in the town.
“I said, ‘Wait a minute – you’re asking my husband and I to give anybody coming through my door a discount?’” she recounted. “They said yes.”
“I said, ‘Are you crazy?’”
“We have taxes to pay,” she said. “We have utility bills, payroll, mortgages and they’re expecting me to give everyone a discount?”
Prudhomme said that’s just not going to happen.
“This is our business,” she said. “We’re the ones paying the taxes. We need the people coming in. Our life is in this – and then to have someone come along and tell me what I can do and what I can’t do?”
She wondered if their other discounts might be considered discriminatory — like the one on Tuesday night – where kids under 12 get to eat free. Or what about the senior discount?
“Could someone under 65 complain?” she asked.
Wolff told Lancaster Online that he discovered the church discount on the privately owned restaurant’s website.
“That rubbed me a bit the wrong way,” he told the online publication. “It’s not a big deal in itself and I have no animosity towards Prudhomme’s, but I do bear a grudge against a religious right that seems to intrude on our civil rights.”
If the commission determines there’s enough evidence to support the complaint, it could be referred to a public hearing. Should the restaurant owners be found in violation, it’s unclear what penalty they might face.
FOX News Talk
Ok! So once again a business and two people are going to have their lives run by the government and a single person who doesn't even go to the restaurant, but saw a discount listed on their website and didn't like it. When is all of this going to stop? I was raised in school believing the majority rules and yet every day there is another ridiculous article about one single person bringing suit and winning the suit because they didn't like something everyone else does like. I hate it! What the heck? Is this how our Constitution was written or is our Constitution just a piece of paper that means nothing anymore? WE THE PEOPLE have got to stop this stuff.
It's supposed to be freedom OF religion, not freedom FROM religion.
Ok! So once again a business and two people are going to have their lives run by the government and a single person who doesn't even go to the restaurant, but saw a discount listed on their website and didn't like it. When is all of this going to stop? I was raised in school believing the majority rules and yet every day there is another ridiculous article about one single person bringing suit and winning the suit because they didn't like something everyone else does like. I hate it! What the heck? Is this how our Constitution was written or is our Constitution just a piece of paper that means nothing anymore? WE THE PEOPLE have got to stop this stuff.
This is a free market, if he doesn't like it, he should eat somewhere else. If enough people do that, they will have to change their policy to survive. Although, I doubt there are that many whiner diners out there that have a problem with this.
This is a free market, if he doesn't like it, he should eat somewhere else. If enough people do that, they will have to change their policy to survive. Although, I doubt there are that many whiner diners out there that have a problem with this.
First off, if he's such a big atheist, how does he know what the church is getting and what the church is not getting. Second, it doesn't matter if it's a church bulletin or a coupon out of the paper. If you don't have one, you don't get the discount. If you want the discount, go to the church and take one of their bulletins. That is unless you're afraid you'll be struck down in your tracks.
Since when did the government get the authority to tell a private citizen how to run their business. Freedom goes both ways, the complainant has a right to eat elsewhere and the person who has invested their life in this private enterprise should be able to run it how she sees fit. Were is the due process here. Take it all the way to SCOTUS and demand your rights.
This gives me an idea, I need to go visit all the local joints that offer a discount for state employees and tell them to quit, or I will sue them for discrimination. Then go to every bar that offers "ladies night" and sue them too.
Some people need to grow the hell up and quit trying to invent issues to get mad over. If you really want the stupid discount, stop by a church and ask for a bulletin. If I was the owner of this place I would have told him when complained, don't worry we also have discounts for stupid people and you qualify.
Next thing you know, they'll be giving discounts to women with offspring on Mother's Day.
Not a religious guy,(nor a fan of fox news), but I'm a fan of Prudhommes! Keep serving your catfish sonny and I won't care who you give a discount to!
Yes in deedy! I'm still trying to figure out how he was discriminated against, I'm sure he received the same great food, service, seating, atmosphere, etc as everyone else. So I guess really every establishment that offers coupons, discounts, promos of that or any nature they need to just give it to all of us walking through their door simply because we walked in…all the coupons in the Sunday paper, magazines, etc need to stop printing them because the world is being discriminated against, according to him. He should be fined for waisting peoples time….You can't Fix £#*^~%" though
No one ever said a person had to be of faith, religion, had to attend such place of worship, etc. to get a "church" bulletin, besides Atheist are welcome at such places, everyone is welcome
Obviously the HEAT has "cooked" someone's brain…You've got to be kidding!!!! Some folks have way too much time on their hands!!!
I love that private businesses have the right to believe what they want, and discount anything they want. I can promise you that I will stop here to eat on my next drive through PA on my way to NY. If the state prosecutes them, that will be the ONLY place in PA that gets our money. There are more Christians than there are atheist or agnostics in this country, thank God!
Seriously? Will golden corral have to stop giving meals to Veterans on Veterans Day? Hey! Not fair! I'm not a vet! Discrimination! How about Pizza Hut's Book it program? Hey, that's not fair! I'm not in elementary school! How about IHOP birthday pancakes? Hey, it's not my birthday how unfair!
He wants to open up discussion? Try a new approach. One that's logical! Maybe the Prodhumme's should have discount day for Athiests. April 1st!
Don't even get me started on this one. This is a place I wish I had patronized more when I lived in Lancaster county. It's absolutely ridiculous in just about every way possible.
I'll take a road trip for you.
I am starting to develop whiplash from frequent shaking of my head.
Wish I lived closer too…would love to give them my support….
It is high time to tell the government where to how and how to get there!
This is complete bull. Some organization is attacking the small mom and pop places because they know they can hurt them. As Monica said below, are we going to start complaining about other offerings? This is horrible and I hope they win. Disgraceful PA!
A senior discount can include 100% of seniors. A kids eat free can include 100% of kids under the age they set forth. A church bulletin limits the discount to those who do something out of choice. I dont think i would issue a lawsuit against a place, but i wouldnt support the business.
People are vets out of choice…..
Oooh, no, Carrie. That isn't even close to an apples-to-apples comparison. By using your logic, Prudhomme's is 100% justified in offering a discount to bulletin-bearers because it includes 100% of people who come in bearing bulletins. If you defend this on any ground other than that religion is a protected class and that this somehow infringes on their freedom to practice their religion while enjoying the same rights as all others, you necessarily have to defend picking and choosing your forms of discrimination. Senior and kids discounts absolutely do discriminate against those outside of their age-range, putting it in the same exact ballfield as this. A discount at a restaurant is a privilege, not a right, and there is nothing at all stating that any affiliation-related discount is somehow illegal. It would be entirely different if Prudhomme's hung a "no Darwinians" or "no God-bashers" sign and denied service, but that is not even close to what is happening here. There aren't set rates for different groups of people, only a discount for carrying a piece of paper, which can be obtained by anyone, much like a traditional coupon.
There is nothing someone can choose to do or not to do to qualify for a senior discount. Youre either 65 or youre not. Its not discrimination. I dont necessarily find it discriminatiin what this restaurant is doing. But i do find it in bad taste. And, not necessarily pointing to anyone here, but there would undoubtedly be people, who defend this restaurant now, who would pitch a fit to have them closed if their discount was handed out to those wearing a hijab, etc. I just wouldnt give my business to someone who gives discounts based on religious observance.
I agree with the question as to what other discounts could be considered discrimination. If this complaint is allowed, then where will it all end? It is ridiculous what some people will do to get their name in the news. If you don't like the way a business conducts itself, then don't go there! Leave them to do things how they see fit.
This place must offer one sweet discount or have really good food.
Another interesting fact, you really have to read their website carefully to see they offer discounts to those bringing in church bulletins.
This guy has to be out to get this restaurant.
I'm not religious. However, if this is what they want to do than let them practice there riligion. I'm tired of the governement tryting to step in and tell us what we can and can't do. Now we have Romney v. Obama in which one is going to tax us more, spend our money, raise taxes, and would like to take away certain rights he doesn't agreee with; while the other says he'll decrease taxes, however he'll increase spending (spend our money), take away other rights, and most of all this is based on there personal believes and none of it has to do with what we actually have the constitutional rights to.
I think John needs to move somewhere else and get a life! This is one of those frivolous lawsuits that should not be allowed!!!
End this crap right now, LegalZoom says you can:
http://www.legalzoom.com/us-law/equal-rights/right-refuse-service
Required Reading!!!!
http://www.newjerseynewsroom.com/commentary/rand-paul-is-right-rachel-maddow-is-wrong-anti-discrimination-laws-discriminate
You are all missing the point. This is not about the discount. The FFRF and people like them want GOD removed from EVERYTHING. It is they that are "pushing their morality down our throats", which ironically is the charge they make against others on the right all the time. The left always accuses others of what THEY are doing. They think they are clever. More like dishonest.
That's right, brother – your CIVIL RIGHTS have been violated because you couldn't take advantage of a restaurant discount and were "rubbed the wrong way" about it. Way to uphold the Constitution! And come to think of it, just WHY couldn't I get a scholarship from the NAACP – because I'm caucasian? I smell a lawsuit!
That's right, brother – your CIVIL RIGHTS have been violated because you couldn't take advantage of a restaurant discount and were "rubbed the wrong way" about it. Way to uphold the Constitution! And come to think of it, just WHY couldn't I get a scholarship from the NAACP – because I'm caucasian? I smell a lawsuit!
This is stupid. Let these people run their business. What if this discount was a coupon sent out to local residents, but i wasn't close enough to get one. Would i be getting discriminated against based on what part of town i live in? Or what if it were a friends and family discount? Would i have a case then?
If you have an issue as to who gets a discount and who does not, the answer is simple – Do NOT patronize the establishment.
I guess the next thing is going to be that restaurants cannot offer free coffee to On Duty Law Enforcement (Krispy Kreme will fight that one)? According to the State of Pennsylvania, if you give it to them, you have to give it to everyone.
You go Sharon! Don't take this crap. It was still America when we woke up today. Mr. Wolff sounds like a hateful (and lonely) old fart.
You have a freedom to NOT go that restaurant Mr. Wolff. Go fuck yourself.
IWould eat there and so would my church,we would even pay full price just for added help to fight this garbage. We will be praying
This is crazy! It's not like they are penalizing people for not going to church they are just rewarding people that do! It the same as if they ran an ad with a local radio station and said mention this ad and get a discount, not everyone listens to that radio station! Everyone that wants a discount has the option to go to any church but is not forced to nor required to in order to walk into the restaurant and get served and not every church goer has the option of a bringing a church in a program my church doesn't use programs but I think it's nice and no different than Disney having a gay week at their park or certain beaches having gay weeks at their beach
I'm on the fence with this one..are they honoring coupons from synagogues and / or temples? If not – isn't this discrimination? But then what about business' that offer discounts to little leaguers, girl scouts, or members of the military, etc..do they stop giving these dicounts because not everybody can be a member of those organziations? Maybe because this falls under the realm of religion that this business has crossed the line. As an Agnostic myself and resident of Lancaaster County, I have huge issues w/ the Christian Right in this area. I have neighbors that will not speak to me or my husband or let their children play with ours because we do not go to church – yet it's okay to let their kids come knocking at my door w/ their fundraisers and the parents hit us up for their own charitable organizations…guess I'm not good enough but my money is? I'm tired of the weekly door to door zealots trying to "save" me – I don't need to be saved..I'm content w/ my belief system and will share it w/ you if you ask. I don't walk around trying to tell you that you're wrong and need to be saved so please show me and my beliefs that same respect. Don't have the audacity to believe that the rest of us are wrong and you are right – as humans we are inherently flawed and none of us have it all "right" – leave the judging for whatever higher power you believe in.. you might find a little more peace in your heart and your life if you just live and let live.. there is tremendous hypocrisy in this mini bible belt of a community and if God / Jesus really do exist – they'd be pretty ashamed of what goes transpires in beautiful Lancaster County….and I have to say that I agree w/ Mr. Wolff – it gets old very quickly when you see it around you every day. Going to church does not necessarily make you a good Christian or a good person – I know people who have never set foot in a church who are kinder, more loving and more respectful then the people who proclaim to be better then the rest of us simply because they park their backside in a pew each week…
No different then senior discounts or kids menu, their resturaunt there rules, dont like it, take your selfabsorbed trouble making ass somewhere else. This IS still america right?
The Prudhommes are violating NOTHING of this man's…it is solely HIS choice whether or not he attends church and/or picks up a bulletin to take in to the restaurant to participate in the discount offer. For him to base his complaint simply on his bias against the so-called "self-righteous" religious people in that area smacks of discrimination on his part, and indeed, comes close to hate speech in my mind! All the "religious" folks in Lancaster should inundate Wolff with church bulletins each week so that he will have no excuse for not being able to get the discount too. It's getting a little…no, a LOT…old that these FFRF people can file all these frivolous lawsuits when they get their britches in a wad….they're totally baseless, grounded simply on their hatred of religion in general and Christianity specifically.
I feel slighted too, our church does not print a bulletin. I wonder if announcements will do. I would give the guy one if it would make him feel better! Would he sue if it was a coupon from somewhere else that he does not agree with? Would he sue if they gave firemen or police officers a discount and not him? Probably not because he is bitter towards "religion." You can be a religious atheist! I pray he discovers the difference between religion and a relationship with the living God before he has to answer to Him.
I eat a resteraunt on I 45 that does this every Sunday. They advertise it on their bulliten board that overlooks the freeway. So far, no one there that I know of has had a problem with this. What's the big deal? Some one is always looking to cry Wolfe! Go mess with the criminals, Please!
And the wolff cries.The man had to go searching on the internet for a target? Is the restaurant's discount any different than that of any business that offers a discount to a particular group? Must be because the discount is for Christians, then.Hasn't the local government heard about the Constitution, and It's very first Amendment?
Validate your 2nd Amendment Rights.Carry.
A business can give any discount they want…I know places that give discounts to people who bring in high school ticket stub, and kids eat free and seniors discount, cops getting free coffee? Only in America can this happen!
I'm not at all religious, but when I hear of someone like John Wolff causing grief to people for no other reason then that he doesn't like their beliefs, I can't help but think that maybe there's something to the idea that people an be possessed by the devil, or that there really is evil out there.
Im not sure Mr. Wolff is evil but he is terribly misguided in his efforts. Im not religous either but I have no issue with the discount.
When did eating at a particular restaurant become a "civil right"????
In the 1960's dear….
http://www.legalzoom.com/us-law/equal-rights/right-refuse-service
We've also freed the slaves and begun allowing women to vote….feel free to join the 21st century….
When did eating at a particular restaurant become a "civil right"????
Its their private business!!! It is none of the states business who this privately owned business gives discounts to!!!
Delta, haven't you heard of the The Federal Civil Rights Act?
Oh wait, I see you're from Mississippi, the 1960's hasn't caught up to you folks yet….
Carry on, and please try to finish the 4th grade this year…….
Yeah… Howard, when you have a more original insult prepared let me know.
What does this mean for AAA? Lots of restaurants discrminate against non members.
So they better start taking other 'discounts' off of cash register tapes then. Because if there's a discount for Subway on someone's Grocery Store A receipt and there's not one on Grocery Store B receipt, that would be discrimination. What next, no more discounts for anyone for anything because it might offend someone. BTW… Last I checked the Constitution reads that it's freedom OF religion and NOT freedom FROM religion. Learn how to read people!
So they better start taking other 'discounts' off of cash register tapes then. Because if there's a discount for Subway on someone's Grocery Store A receipt and there's not one on Grocery Store B receipt, that would be discrimination. What next, no more discounts for anyone for anything because it might offend someone. BTW… Last I checked the Constitution reads that it's freedom OF religion and NOT freedom FROM religion. Learn how to read people!
If I were an atheist, I'd just grab a church bulletin and show it for the discount instead of going on a self-righteous moralizing crusade against the restaurant owner. I mean, if you're already as obsessed with your own moral superiority and righteousness as this fellow is, you might as well be religious anyway. And if you're not, you might as well just lie and get the discount if it really bothers you that much. Amazing how close, and yet so far, moralizing types are on either side of the issue.
"“That rubbed me a bit the wrong way,” he told the online publication. “It’s not a big deal in itself and I have no animosity towards Prudhomme’s, but I do bear a grudge against a religious right that seems to intrude on our civil rights.”"
These assholes think it's their "civil right" to get anything they damn well want that other people get. How does this not all end in bloodshed one day??
Well Im an atheist and I think there are extreme sides both ways, with Mr. Wolff being a bad example. I think if you were an atheist, you would likely just do the right thing and accept the fact that these people are offered a discount. I would never disrespect someones house of worship to get a coupon nor should any self respecting atheist.
You sound more like a Christian moralist than an atheist. There's no rational reason to behave this way. No one is harmed by the mere taking of a coupon.
Nope, no christian moralist. Just a regluar ol' atheist who thinks christians should be left alone and return I get the same.
Well, fine. But that rule isn't transgressed by taking a coupon.
If I were an atheist, I'd just grab a church bulletin and show it for the discount instead of going on a self-righteous moralizing crusade against the restaurant owner. I mean, if you're already as obsessed with your own moral superiority and righteousness as this fellow is, you might as well be religious anyway. And if you're not, you might as well just lie and get the discount if it really bothers you that much. Amazing how close, and yet so far, moralizing types are on either side of the issue.
the moron who complained says they're infringing on his civil rights… what does he think he's doing by telling the owners what they can or can't do? I am a teacher, but not everywhere I go offers a teacher discount. Am I going to write a civil complaint? NO! It's the business' choice! This guy needs to put his big boy pants on!
"Don't I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?"
http://bible.cc/matthew/20-15.htm
NO more senior discounts for HIM!!! : /
Soon as anything Christian is mentioned the legal people forget the law and just react.Time Christians rallied in support of those being persecuted by our short sighted legal system. A good lawyer should be able to beat this, but if this was a Muslim place doing the same thing, you would hear nothing about it. We are going out to see trains in Strasburg tomorrow, Columbia is not that far away to get a good Cajun dinner.
Time we Christians, Completed Jews, and Believers in Christ all stand together.
Some people are just hopeless in their stupidity. It affects his civil rights to not get a 10% discount?
When I was brought up we were taught that we live in a democracy. Majority rules. When did 17,000 become a majority?
Harry, everybody gets protected. Even schmucks like Mr. Wolff. Its the right thing to do even if it doesnt work in your favour sometimes.
The restaurant has the right to give discounts to whoever they choose!
Seems like this retired electrical engineer, John Wolff.
Has his wires crossed.
There are many discounts out there.
Here is just a few.
Senior, military, AAA, AARP, 2 for 1, cash discounts, kids eat free, Mothers day, Fathers day, Veterans Day Etc…..
What makes me the maddest.
Is the fact the state is even wasting time, investigating this B.S..
This is exactly the reason, I have this sign in my business.
"This business reserves the right to refuse service to anyone".
What a hoot!
Look what I just found.
Freedom From Religion Foundation, Inc. gives a "DISCOUNT" for family memberships!
http://ffrf.org/donate/
Add one more line to your sign: "Especially assholes like John Wolf'
All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing…
I'll keep my guns, my RELIGION and my money… you keep your change.
SO…WHY DON'T WE ALL BECOME UNPOLITICALLY CORRECT….AND LET THIS MOM AND POPS RESTAURANT DO WHAT THEY WANT!!! I THINK IT'S ABOUT TIME FOR REAL HONESTY!!! THIS COUNTRY IS DEFINATELY GOING SOCIALISTIC AND TRYING TO KICK GOD OUT OF EVERY ASPECT OF OUR LIVES!!! MIKE STEEVES…..THE NEXT STEP?….WILL BE….THE GONERNMENT KICKING IN THE DOORS OF THE CHURCH'S!!! THEY ARE ALREADY TRYING TO TAKING OUR RIGHT OF CONSCIENCE AWAY!!!
Go in and get your senior discount and Shut up!