Georgia worker felt uncomfortable with Mark of the Beast sign

August 19, 2012 / MariaNews.com

Georgia worker felt uncomfortable with Mark of the Beast sign

By Catholic Online

ATLANTA, GA (Catholic Online) – A Georgia worker is now suing his employer after he refused to wear a 666 sticker that he says represented the Mark of the Beast in Revelations. Billy E. Hyatt is suing on grounds of religious discrimination. The sticker he was asked to wear represents the number of days the plant had been accident free.

Hyatt worked on a production line, making packing products for Pliant Corp., now known as Berry Plastics Corp. Each day, workers at the plant are required to don a sticker showing the number of days the plant has been accident free.

Hyatt says he discussed his concerns with his supervisors and coworkers. His boss, identified as Joe Richard, did not excuse Hyatt saying instead that perhaps there would be an accident or the calendar might read 665 for two days, or some other manipulation that would spare Hyatt.

Hyatt maintains he has a sincere belief that wearing the number 666, which is the Mark of the Beast in Revelation (Revelation 13:18), would result in being condemned to hell. When the plant reached its 666th day on March 12, 2010, Hyatt asked for a religious exemption, and was denied.

According to the complaint filed in district court, the boss told Hyatt, “that he was not going to change the safety calendar, that Mr. Hyatt’s religious beliefs were ridiculous, and that Mr. Hyatt could go to work with a ’666′ on his safety sticker or face a three day suspension.” Claiming that Hyatt had “ridiculous beliefs” is particularly telling in this case.

Hyatt took the suspension, but said when he returned on March 17, he was terminated.

Hyatt filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission which reviewed his case and has now granted him the right to sue.

The case is expected to go to court in the next few months.

© 2012, Catholic Online. Distributed by NEWS CONSORTIUM.

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