Issues@Hand

AFA initiatives, Christian activism, news briefs

October 2014 – Mary Haglund, co-owner of Mary’s Gourmet Diner in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, wanted to show appreciation to patrons who pray before eating their meal. So she sometimes gave a 15% discount to customers who prayed over their food.

Freedom from Religion Foundation, an atheist activist organization based in Wisconsin, wrote to Haglund implying FFRF would sue her if she did not stop her “discriminatory” behavior. FFRF co-president Annie Laurie Gaylor said, “People who are atheists don’t pray [and it’s illegal to] charge an atheist more than a Christian.”

Haglund said “Praying in Public” was not her only discount. Others included Trade Street employee discounts, “Waited too Long” discount and “Order was Wrong” discount. She said. “I am inclusively finding ways to meet people where they are at every table.”

FFRF’s threat frightened Haglund into posting a sign on the diner door apologizing for her “illegal” discount (photo at right), although the practice broke no laws.

wfmynews2.com, 8/7/14, journalnow.com, 8/6/14