Did you know that at some restaurants you have to pay higher prices if you are not a churchgoer? Restaurants do this by offering a discount if you bring in a copy of your church bulletin. The facts are established at this must read link.
Discrimination on the basis of religious belief is supposed to be illegal in our country. Religious tests for candidates do not exist except in the court of public opinion. However, if you visit this particular Denny's, and you don't happen to belong to a church, you are going to pay 10% more for the same food than the churchgoer who brings in the church bulletin.
Eating at Denny's is not exactly a privilege. But if you want breakfast at two in the morning there aren't too many alternatives in most places. it is important to note that this religious discrimination is not systemwide or even particularly common. But as James Randi's article shows it certainly does exist.
What is the best way to deal with this outrage? Some might be inspired to write letters to Denny's corporate headquarters. Others might just want it to get this to the attention of Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert and Bill Maher. I don't think that any great action is required. My purpose in this diary is just to let you know that this actually happens in our country.
Why shouldn't a restaurant owner be able to give a break to religious folk? The same reason they are not allowed to give preferential treatment to white folks. This is a very un-American activity. Unfortunately, we see far too much of this sort of thing from the right wing while any criticism of their pet religions (or even their pet's religions) generates outrage and claims of discrimination.
My church, the Church of original life, doesn't produce a bulletin. It barely has a website.perhaps I should arrange for a downloadable church bulletin that can be used by anyone to get these discounts. What do you think?