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ROCHESTER --- The cancellation of famed atheist Richard Dawkins' appearance at a Oakland County country club back in October caused a major uproar in the secular community, prompting a protest of the club and now a lawsuit.
Dawkins, the famous evolutionary biologist, was scheduled to speak at Wyndgate Country Club on Oct. 12 before his appearance was canceled at the last minute by the club.
The Center for Inquiry-Michigan, the local branch of the nationally recognized group that focuses on secularism and science, is suing the Rochester country club over the cancellation of Dawkins speech in October.
The group is suing the country club for blocking the appearance because of his religious beliefs. The lawsuit names Wyndgate's owner Larry Winget as a defendant.
Dawkins, the famous evolutionary biologist, was scheduled to speak at Wyndgate Country Club on Oct. 12 before his appearance was canceled at the last minute by the club.
The Center for Inquiry-Michigan, the local branch of the nationally recognized group that focuses on secularism and science, is suing the Rochester country club over the cancellation of Dawkins speech in October.
The group is suing the country club for blocking the appearance because of his religious beliefs. The lawsuit names Wyndgate's owner Larry Winget as a defendant.
The lawsuit, which was filed by the group on Friday in United States District Court, seeks to prevent the country club from discriminating against future groups from using the venue based on their religious beliefs.
Jeff Seaver, the executive director for the group's Michigan branch, stated that the club's actions were unjust against Dawkins.
"Through the Civil Rights Act of 1964, we decided as a nation that discrimination based on race, color, national origin and religion would not be tolerated by businesses that make goods and services available to the public," said the director. "The actions of Wyndgate and its owner Larry Winget to deny equal access based on religious belief fly in the face of the freedoms that Americans hold dear. It is our duty to stand up to such bigotry and send a clear message that it has no place in American society."
Steven Fox, legal director for the Center for Inquiry, also spoke of Wyndgate's actions against the famed atheist.
"This was to be an opportunity for friends to gather, enjoy each other's company and hear from one of their favorite authors, an internationally renowned professor; but the Wyndgate opted to breach its contract simply because atheists would be taking part," said Fox. "If this kind of discrimination was directed at any religious group there would rightfully be no end to the outrage. The fact that the victims are nonbelievers makes it just as wrong, just as unacceptable and just as unconstitutional — and we will not let it stand."
It was previously stated that the country club's owner had viewed an appearance of Dawkins on the Fox News Channel program, "The O'Reilly Factor" and did not agree with the evolutionary biologist's beliefs, prompting the cancellation of Dawkins appearance from the club in October.
Jeff Seaver, the executive director for the group's Michigan branch, stated that the club's actions were unjust against Dawkins.
"Through the Civil Rights Act of 1964, we decided as a nation that discrimination based on race, color, national origin and religion would not be tolerated by businesses that make goods and services available to the public," said the director. "The actions of Wyndgate and its owner Larry Winget to deny equal access based on religious belief fly in the face of the freedoms that Americans hold dear. It is our duty to stand up to such bigotry and send a clear message that it has no place in American society."
Steven Fox, legal director for the Center for Inquiry, also spoke of Wyndgate's actions against the famed atheist.
"This was to be an opportunity for friends to gather, enjoy each other's company and hear from one of their favorite authors, an internationally renowned professor; but the Wyndgate opted to breach its contract simply because atheists would be taking part," said Fox. "If this kind of discrimination was directed at any religious group there would rightfully be no end to the outrage. The fact that the victims are nonbelievers makes it just as wrong, just as unacceptable and just as unconstitutional — and we will not let it stand."
It was previously stated that the country club's owner had viewed an appearance of Dawkins on the Fox News Channel program, "The O'Reilly Factor" and did not agree with the evolutionary biologist's beliefs, prompting the cancellation of Dawkins appearance from the club in October.
The Center for Inquiry, which supports Dawkins, is a secular non-profit group that, according to its website, "looks to foster a secular society based on science, reason, freedom of inquiry and humanist values."
When reached for comment on the lawsuit representatives from Wyndgate Country Club did not return calls.
Facebook readers react
Readers of The Oakland Press' Facebook page and website shared their thoughts on Richard Dawkins canceled appearance at the Wyndgate Country Club in Rochester.
Dave Page believes the country club's owner had every right to cancel Dawkin's appearance.
"He is the owner of a private country club and he has the right to do it," said Page. "Is it right, no, but he can do that."
Renee Horton feels the country club acted too fast to cancel Dawkins appearance.
"They accepted the groups money but banned their speaker," said Horton. "I think the private property question is out the window when they allowed the event."
Lee Helms thinks the club discriminated against the group.
"Wyndgate rents its facilities to the public, which makes it a place of public accommodation, like a restaurant or hotel," said Helms. "Most restaurants are privately owned, but Civil Rights law prohibits restaurant owners from discriminating, even without a signed contract. The Atheist group did have a signed contract. The owner's refusal to honor that contract was discrimination, and a violation of the Atheist group's civil rights."
When reached for comment on the lawsuit representatives from Wyndgate Country Club did not return calls.
Facebook readers react
Readers of The Oakland Press' Facebook page and website shared their thoughts on Richard Dawkins canceled appearance at the Wyndgate Country Club in Rochester.
Dave Page believes the country club's owner had every right to cancel Dawkin's appearance.
"He is the owner of a private country club and he has the right to do it," said Page. "Is it right, no, but he can do that."
Renee Horton feels the country club acted too fast to cancel Dawkins appearance.
"They accepted the groups money but banned their speaker," said Horton. "I think the private property question is out the window when they allowed the event."
Lee Helms thinks the club discriminated against the group.
"Wyndgate rents its facilities to the public, which makes it a place of public accommodation, like a restaurant or hotel," said Helms. "Most restaurants are privately owned, but Civil Rights law prohibits restaurant owners from discriminating, even without a signed contract. The Atheist group did have a signed contract. The owner's refusal to honor that contract was discrimination, and a violation of the Atheist group's civil rights."
Neil Baxter feels that Dawkins canceled appearance was just.
"Both the U.S. Supreme Court and the Michigan Supreme Court have ruled that a private property owners have the right to 'restrict speech' on their property," Baxter said. "It's a pretty simple case."
"Both the U.S. Supreme Court and the Michigan Supreme Court have ruled that a private property owners have the right to 'restrict speech' on their property," Baxter said. "It's a pretty simple case."
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