The CEO of Office Depot
has apologized after an Illinois store refused to print religious flyers for a
customer. Maria Goldstein wanted to
print flyers about a prayer meeting … including a call to pray for Planned
Parenthood (PP). The flyer included
facts about abortion and PP’s role in providing the majority of abortions in
America. It also called for an end to
abortion in America and for PP workers to become Christians.
Goldstein says the
handout is part of a week-long prayer and fasting campaign that aims to change
opinions on abortion. “The intention of
the prayer is to ask for conversion; the conversion of the staff, employees,
everybody who is part of this at Planned Parenthood,” she said. “It means they will recognize life has dignity
and that it is valuable and not a commodity to be bought and sold.”
Office Depot (corporate)
originally said the flyers are “hate speech” and stood by the store’s refusal
to print them.
So Goldstein connected
with the Thomas More Society for legal aid. The group’s attorney, Tom Olp, says this case
serves as an important reminder for all Americans. “We are grateful that Office Depot has
apologized for discriminating against Maria Goldstein based on the content of
her flyers. This situation is a reminder
that religious liberty is increasingly under attack today, but it is a
fundamental American right that every one of us should value and defend,” he
said.
In a press release,
Goldstein thanked the Thomas More Society for protecting her rights as a
Christian. “I hope other people are
empowered to stand up for their religious freedom, as well,” she said.
What are you standing
for? … for you surely stand for something.
Do you take a stand for religious freedom and freedom of speech (press);
or do you stand for the muzzling of those whom you judge as intolerant? What is your form of measuring ‘right
belief’?
Rev.
Dr. Kenneth L. Beale, Jr.
Chaplain
(Colonel-Ret), U.S. Army
Pastor,
Ft. Snelling Memorial Chapel
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