Businesses open to the public cannot discriminate based on religion. You have the right to equal service regardless of your beliefs.
Overview
It is generally not legal for a business to discrimination against you as a customer simply because you’re an atheist.
Title II of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits any place of “public accommodation” from discriminating on the basis of religion, race, color, or national origin.
This includes businesses and organizations which hold themselves open to all members of the community.
Examples of Discrimination
Religious discrimination by businesses can take many forms, such as church bulletin discounts, in which customers who present a bulletin from a local church are given reduced prices or other benefits or restaurants giving discounts to diners who pray before their meal.
Even public universities have been known to offer such promotions without considering the legal implications.
Such promotions are illegal under federal law and may also be prohibited by anti-discrimination laws in your city and state.
Limitations
Title II of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 only applies to places of “public accommodation.”
Private organizations, such as the Boy Scouts of America and other clubs that operate independently of a particular location or facility, are permitted to place conditions on membership which would otherwise violate Title II because they do not constitute “accommodations.”
In addition, such clubs have the right under the First Amendment’s freedom of association to determine who to accept into their organizations.
Has a business discriminated against you because of your atheism? Get in touch with our team.
Even if you don’t want to take formal action, your report helps us track trends in discrimination and determine how we can provide the most effective support for our community.