By La Rae G. Munk, Esq., CEAI Director of Legal Services

How do educators, as professionals responsibly exercise their rights of conscience?

Fundamental to a free people is the right to worship and express one’s religious beliefs. The Founding Fathers felt these were such fundamental rights they are the first protected rights in the Bill of Rights. However, the right to freely exercise one's faith has never been more threatened in our nation than it is today. And the rights of Christians are especially vulnerable. Hidden behind such neutral sounding policies as “non-discrimination” or “equal rights” or “respect for diversity”, many employees are finding that the workplace is anything but non-discriminatory. Unfortunately, in increasing numbers, employees are facing discipline or termination if they fail to compromise their core religious beliefs.

The right to exercise your faith in the workplace is protected under the U.S. Constitution.

Protecting the rights of conscience is an emerging issue. While much of the current litigation is in the health care professions, the education profession is under assault through professional standards credentialing with only those who agree to certain conditions and restrictions acceptable. Most recently, those in counseling and the social science professions, such as school psychology are being questioned as to whether they can “affirm” behavior as morally acceptable even if it contradicts their beliefs.

Presently being litigated is Ward v Wilbanks, a federal case involving a counseling graduate student dismissed from the university’s counseling program because she would not agree to affirm homosexual behavior as morally acceptable. A similar case is on appeal from the Northern District of Georgia, Walden v Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

As employees exercise their rights of conscience, it is important to balance those rights with the responsibilities the employee holds for the performance of their job. Christians
are required to be ambassadors for Christ in and out of the workplace—remember, you may be the only testimony someone sees or hears.

Acting with integrity, honesty, and dedicated professionalism should be core principles for any Christian worker, whether in a classroom, factory or in a non-profit ministry. Wherever God calls you to use the talents and skills He gave you, it is important that Christians apply the Golden Rule regardless of the work culture environment.

However, equally important is for Christians to recognize that having respect for others and their beliefs does not mean that personal beliefs must be squelched or hidden. As you meet the professional responsibilities for your position, remember you should be able to do so within the framework of your worldview and beliefs without harassment, intimidation or threats of discipline or termination.

 With Rights Go Responsibilities