I do not believe in step programs for treating addiction. Everyone of them that I am aware of are religious indoctrination, basically substituting one addiction for another. Perhaps it is me, but I do not see that as solving the individuals problem that leads them to abusing drugs. I can be criticized here because I occasionally enjoy cannabis, but I do not believe I am addicted because if I do not have any available I am just fine. I do not go out and lie, cheat or steal from anyone to support a habit. Another argument is cannabis is not a drug medical definition as such requires an overdose that is fatal. To my knowledge, no person has ever fatally overdosed from cannabis use. The article is very disturbing, and people who have a felony criminal record surely vulnerable to such as I can imagine it being extremely difficult to find good employment with that on your record. I see little benefit in life from religion which is different from having faith. Religions are dogmatic and imposed, sometimes self applied, while faith is an internal belief and not coerced from someone else.

Captain James T. Kirk of the starship enterprise said it best in star trek 5 when he said "What does God need with a starship?". So in the same spirit...Why would a painter need attend a religious service? God can travel without a starship and a painter can paint without being brainwashed into a man made control system. Just sayin....

Unfortunately, it is not a violation of the First Amendment. It is, however, a violation of the Civil Rights Act of 1968. I believe the employer is on shaky grounds here and, if I were their lawyer, I would suggest they settle out of court and stop the practice ASAP. But they won't and emboldened by recent SCOTUS decisions, the employer just may go to court to bet the federal charge. I do not know about Oregon law, so cannot speak to that.

That's bullshit! I think it's illegal for them to require that.

Felons that get convicted of meth... never met an honest one. Leads me to believe he may be lying. If he did actually get fired for not attending bible study, it's bullshit. NPR is usually very accurate tho. Maybe the guy is trying to make a quick buck? If he did get fired for that the employer is dumb AF. They could have made up another reason to fire him. Unless he signed a paper previous, that might be a grey area. Depends on the court/jury. I myself once got fired for a bullshit reason. I worked at a shop. I was told by the manager I was coming in too early, and come in an hour later. One day my car was on the fritz. I called saying I'd be late. He said to not worry about coming in because weather was bad, and not a lot of work. I worked m-f and every saturday. I asked for one Saturday off to go to a concert. It was pre aprroved. Went to work the next Monday. The owner said to see him in his office. He said I was fired because of "excessive absense! He made me sign a piece of paper for my termination. Only reason why I did sign it was because if I didn't, I wouldn't get my paycheck. I hated that place, and just wanted my money! This guy was a complete dick anyways.