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News Headlines: Adventist Employee Sues Walmart Alleging Religious Discrimination (And More!)

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Adventist Employee Sues Walmart Alleging Religious Discrimination. Gordon Fields, a Seventh-day Adventist, filed suit against Walmart, claiming he was demoted for his observance of the Sabbath. Gordon, a Walmart store manager, was originally allowed to take off on the Sabbath at his job in Wyncote, Pennsylvania, according to his complaint. However, a new human resources manager told him that the company could no longer allow that for a manager and that he would either have to work on the Sabbath or be demoted in order to maintain his religious accommodation. According to the complaint, Fields received a poor performance report a week after he complained to management about the lack of religious accommodation. Walmart has not responded to a request for comment from The Legal Intelligencer. From The Legal Intelligencer, "Wal-Mart Manager Sues Employer Alleging Religious Bias" (subscription required).

Weet-Bix Voted Most Trusted Breakfast Food Brand in Australia. Weet-Bix, made by Adventist-owned Sanitarium foods, has been voted the most trusted breakfast cereal in Australia by the Reader’s Digest’s annual survey of more than 3,000 shoppers there. Weet-Bix also is listed in the "Top 10" most trusted brands of the 297 brands surveyed within Australia. Sanitarium was acknowledged as "highly commended" at second place in the breakfast-cereal category. Michelle Reid, accredited practicing dietitian, said it is an honor for Sanitarium Weet-Bix to receive these awards. “Made from wholegrain wheat with a delicious malty flavor, [Weet-Bix] provides the natural lasting goodness and real energy you need to help start your day,” she said. Reid added that Sanitarium is committed to providing healthy and nutritious foods of the highest quality Australians can rely on. Sanitarium's "About Us." 

Mt. Rubidoux Seventh-day Adventist Church Holds Meeting to Address U.S. Racial Tensions. In the wake of shootings in Texas, Louisiana, and Minnesota, Michael B. Kelly II, pastor of the Mt. Rubidoux Seventh-day Adventist Church in Riverside, California, held an open-forum-style meeting titled, “State of Emergency.”  About 200 people attended, including a branch president of the NAACP and a local member of Black Lives Matter, Kelly said. Gerald Winslow, LLU professor of religion, approved the meeting. “I think this is the church at its best, when it tries to be a source of peacemaking . . . in the community,” Winslow said. Kelly has scheduled a follow-up meeting to develop a plan of action. From Press Enterprise, "How churches are tackling unrest in wake of shootings."

Former Sequim, Washington, Adventist Principal Guilty of Child Rape/Molestation. Former principal and teacher at Mountain View Christian (Seventh-day Adventist) School in Sequim, Washington, Douglas John Allison, pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree child molestation and two counts of first-degree rape of a child against two students. Allison admitted to sexual contact and intercourse with the female victims, then 10 and 11 years old, starting in September 2015 during classes while other students studied.  He could be sentenced to 24 years in prison after accepting a plea offer. He was placed on leave and eventually fired by the Washington Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, which is heavily involved in decisions at the school along with the school board and supporting church, Sequim Seventh-day Adventist Church. From Sequim Gazette, "Allison Pleads Guilty to Sex Charges, Faces 24 Years in Prison."

Nyamira Conference Pastors Disallow Politicians to Speak at Funeral. In Kenya, pastors George Ondieki  and Enock Ooga, pastors in the Nyamira Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, barred several politicians from addressing mourners at the funeral of Joyce Nyakego, wife of Seventh-day Adventist Pastor Richard Nyakego. The politicians were allowed only to greet mourners, quote a biblical verse, or sing a hymn. One politician sang a chorus from a hymn before returning to his seat. Another left immediately after giving his donation when he realized he would not address the mourners. Adventist leaders from several East African unions attended the event. From Hivisasa.com, "Nyamira Governor among politicians barred from addressing mourners."

 

Pam Dietrich taught English at Loma Linda Academy for 26 years and served there eight more years as the 7-12 librarian. She lives in Redlands, California.

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