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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Dec 2014
    Posts
    6

    Default Re: Does a Worship Leader at a Church Have to Honor Civil Rights

    Here is the deal with what I was asking about. Our worship leader removed a lady who played an instrument for over 12 years at our church because she thinks her wheelchair is a "distraction" to our worship. This lady has always played in front of the first pew until we moved into a new sanctuary where there is wheelchair accessibility but all of a sudden the worship leader does not want her on the platform. I am disturbed that she can do this to her just because of her being in a wheelchair. It does not seem legal. It is definately not morally right!

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Posts
    16,474

    Default Re: Does a Worship Leader at a Church Have to Honor Civil Rights

    Quote Quoting NurseC
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    Here is the deal with what I was asking about. Our worship leader removed a lady who played an instrument for over 12 years at our church because she thinks her wheelchair is a "distraction" to our worship. This lady has always played in front of the first pew until we moved into a new sanctuary where there is wheelchair accessibility but all of a sudden the worship leader does not want her on the platform. I am disturbed that she can do this to her just because of her being in a wheelchair. It does not seem legal. It is definately not morally right!
    That may possibility a type of discrimination that the church cannot do.

    However, you and other like minded worshipers can certainly make your opinions known to the leadership of the church, and absolutely should.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Oct 2014
    Posts
    8,238

    Default Re: Does a Worship Leader at a Church Have to Honor Civil Rights

    Quote Quoting NurseC
    View Post
    Here is the deal with what I was asking about. Our worship leader removed a lady who played an instrument for over 12 years at our church because she thinks her wheelchair is a "distraction" to our worship. This lady has always played in front of the first pew until we moved into a new sanctuary where there is wheelchair accessibility but all of a sudden the worship leader does not want her on the platform. I am disturbed that she can do this to her just because of her being in a wheelchair. It does not seem legal. It is definately not morally right!
    Unfortunately for her the federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Title III, which applies to places of public accommodation, specifically excludes “religious organizations or entities controlled by religious organizations, including places of worship” from its requirements. 42 U.S.C. § 12187. The ADA does apply to churches with respect to how they treat their employees as ADA Title I does not have the same exemption for religious organizations. Thus, the church has not violated the ADA here unless the lady is an employee of the church while playing at church services (i.e. she is paid a wage or salary to play). Illinois has a law very much like the ADA and, like the ADA, it excludes religious organizations and houses of worship from the requirements for places of public accommodation. Again, though, state law may be violated here if she is an employee of the church.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Dec 2014
    Posts
    6

    Default Re: Does a Worship Leader at a Church Have to Honor Civil Rights

    She is not an employee. She was just playing as an act of worship. I have complained to the pastor and board. The pastor is the worship leader's husband so unfortunately she is allowed to be unkind with no reprimand. Only a few people in the congregation know about this. It is a big enough congregation that they do not notice changes like this. I was hoping that I could resolve this without involving the people but I have not been successful so I will start to let people know about this. I did file a complaint with our district headquarters on Monday so maybe they will help. I really appreciate you all helping me with this. This lady has cerebral palsy and says that this is therapy for her and that her pain goes away when she plays. I am a nurse and this is really bothering me that a "christian" and a pastor's wife would be like this to another person. Thanks for all of your replies!!!

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