In 2004, she suffered a certain condition known as Narcolepsy and she had to quit teaching on a disability leave. In 2005, she notified the principal that she could resume her duties on February that year after the doctors had cleared her of her condition. The principal informed her that she had to wait a little longer because she had been replaced. She was angry and threatened to sue the school, which led to her firing. Perich with the help of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission went to court to challenge the decision of the church.
They based their case on the Americans with disability act, which protects Americans with disability from unfairness at work. They argued that the church had fired Perich for threatening to file a legal lawsuit. In defense of the church, their attorneys argued that the lawsuit was unlawful because it was against the first amendment. This amendment banned the government from getting involved in matters of religious organizations and employment terms with one of its ministers. Apparently, Perich was a minister because of her involvement in the religious matters of the church.
There were two types of employees at the school the ‘called’ and ‘lay’ teachers. Called teachers like Perich, were misters of the church, and therefore participated in other religious duties apart from teaching. The court had to decide whether to adhere to either the Americans with disability act or the exception given to religious organizations. The church argued that the case was unlawful since the court should not interfere with the choosing and firing of religious leaders. Religious groups should choose their leaders based on their beliefs.
The Essay on Middle Ages Church Religious Founded
Religious and intellectual institutions underwent significant changes throughout the middle ages. In some cases, advances were made, and in others, there was a major decline. Through all of these times, the people of the middle ages learned what didn't work, what did, and how to progress once they found what did work. The true form of monasticism in the western Christian church was founded by ...
The EEOC on the other hand argued that exception applied to people who performed religious duties exclusively. The court also had to decide whether Perich who was just a mere employee or a qualified minister. The court ruling favored the church. It decided to take a rigid definition of a minister as a person who was ordained to perform religious duties in the church. The court argued that if it gave a ruling in favor of Perich and the EEOC it would have denied the church their freedom to employ ministers based on their religious beliefs.
The court therefore ruled that the church had a mandate to hire and fire its ministers rightfully and Perich’s firing was legal. The people had divided views about the ruling. Some argued in favor of the church while others in favor of Perich. Being a religious institution, the church should be a center of justice. Based on Christian beliefs the church should uphold virtues like patience and forgiveness. Perich should have had more patience with the church and waited before she attempted to sue the church.
In her anger, she threatened the church, which led to her firing. However, the church as an institution that upholds forgiveness as a virtue should have led by example and forgiven her for her mistake instead of firing her. The church also has its legal systems that deal with religious issues. They should have used those systems to deal with the case before it got to court. Reference: Protecting the religious freedom of all Americans: federal laws against religious discrimination.
