Atheist Files Discrimination Complaint Over PA Restaurant's 10% Sunday Discount for People With Church Bulletins

An atheist has filed a discrimination complaint against a Columbia, Pennsylvania-based restaurant. The offense? The establishment has been offering a 10 percent discount for individuals who bring in a church bulletin on Sundays. John Wolff, who has officially issued his grievance with the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, is hoping that Prudhomme's Lost Cajun Kitchen is held accountable for its diner discount.

"I did this not out of spite, but out of a feeling against the prevailing self-righteousness that stems from religion, particularly in Lancaster County," Wolff, a retired electrical engineer, said of his decision to go toe-to-toe with the restaurant. "I don't consider it an earthshaking affair, but in this area in particular, we seem to have so many self-righteous religious people, so it just annoys me."

But one of the co-owners of the restaurant, Sharon Prudhomme, isn't backing down to Wolff's challenge. She claims that Lost Cajun Kitchen technically doesn't discriminate, because people don't actually have to be believers -- or even attend church for that matter -- to get the discount. Anyone, she claims, can walk into a church and take a bulletin.

Prudhomme is also doubling-down in saying that the restaurant has no intention of halting the discount program, Lancaster Online reports. Since Sundays are slow, the discount is intended to boost customer flow -- something that is important during tough economic times.

Wolff's main issue is that he's allegedly been offered different services because of his religious preferences or lack thereof. Prudhomme, though, calls the entire complaint "a waste." Despite her opposition, the restaurant's owners will need to respond to it within 30 days in writing.

Then, the commission will decide if the complaint is a viable one. If, indeed, the restaurant is found to be discriminating, a public hearing will result. In the end, it is possible that the restaurant, pending they lose, would be required to stop the promotion.

(H/T: Lancaster Online)