Leftist individuals and organizations are discriminating against Christians and denying them their rights. Zack Rackovan says that was his experience Penn State. Penn State allegedly fired him because of his Christian beliefs, and he is preparing to sue them. Mr. Rackovan, a father of four young children, worked remotely for Penn State from 2014 to 2022… in Tyrone, Pennsylvania, 26 miles from the campus. He had no personal contact with students, faculty, or staff at the university.
Penn State decided to enforce their COVID policies, allegedly in an unlawful manner. Even though he did not work on or visit campus, the university required him to take the COVID vaccine, wear a facemask, and submit to weekly Covid testing. After notifying his supervisors that their requests violated his religious beliefs, the university threatened to fire him.
Mr. Rackovan sent Penn State notice of his constitutional right to refuse an Emergency Use Authorization vaccine. He claims to have received no response from the university. He then informed Penn State of his need for a religious exemption under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Penn State receives government funding, and cannot deny a lawful Title VII accommodation request. Yet the university did ultimately deny his request and warned, again, that he would be terminated if he did not comply.
Based on his Christian convictions and constitutional rights, Zack refused to comply and was fired in March of 2022, as he explains on his GiveSendGo campaign page. Zack said “God was protecting” his family, however. He added, “I was offered another job on a Friday, and the following Monday, Penn State fired me.” Following his firing, the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission investigated Zack’s case and found that Penn State failed to provide him a religious accommodation, and fired him based on his religious beliefs and in retaliation for disobeying their demands.
Mr. Rackovan has hired an attorney to file suit against Penn State and to bring awareness of discriminatory practices at the school. “I want to bring awareness of this happening to Christians at other universities, too”, he said, adding, “I want them to understand that what they did to me, and what they’re doing to others is wrong. I want them to acknowledge their anti-Christian bias and take steps to remediate the unlawful policies and actions that make for a hostile workplace for Christians. Last week, in a similar case, the New York Supreme Court ruled in favor of a nurse who was wrongfully terminated from her job at The Roswell Park Comprehensive Care Center.
The legal costs will exceed what a private school teacher has the ability to pay, so Zack started a GiveSendGo campaign. His goal is to raise $7,500. When asking for prayer support, Zack said, “The Lord hears us when we cry out against wickedness, and there is power in prayer. Please pray for provision for my family and persevering strength in this situation we find ourselves in. But even more importantly, please join me in praying that through this battle that hearts would be softened and eyes would be opened to the truth of the gospel at Penn State.”
The campaign web address also includes Romans 12:21, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Visit his campaign page if you can help Zack and his family overcome this evil with good, financially or with prayers, or both.
Today, Mr. Rackovan teaches Bible and Art classes at Tyrone Christian Academy, a K-12 private school.
Appreciate what you’re reading? Be sure to share it!
Have a story? Break it at LibertyLens.News! Become a Contributor.
To Support The Liberty Lens, Donate here.
