Ordered to Remove Bible, Hide Cross: ACLJ Defends Religious Freedom at Work

Just weeks ago, our client was summoned into meetings with HR leadership and plant management. He was ordered to remove his Bible from view, hide his cross necklace under his shirt, and refrain from openly expressing his Christian faith because it was allegedly “not inclusive” and made him appear “unapproachable.” Incredibly, one supervisor even lectured him that being a Christian is about “wearing it in your heart” rather than visibly living out his faith. Our client was appallingly told by corporate supervisors that his Bible and cross necklace were “non-inclusive” and “unprofessional.”

The ACLJ is standing up for his religious liberty. Our client is an HR manager at The Timken Company’s Missouri plant. He’s a faithful Christian and has always lived out his faith in quiet and respectful ways. As part of his daily routine, he keeps a Bible on his desk for private reflection and to alleviate stress. He also wears a cross necklace as a personal expression of his beliefs. Neither his Bible nor his necklace has ever interfered with his work, nor have any co-workers ever complained. In fact, Timken’s own handbook contains no rule prohibiting employees from wearing personal jewelry or keeping items on their desks.

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This kind of treatment is not only offensive, but it’s also blatant religious discrimination. The law is crystal clear: Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits employers from discriminating against employees based on their religious beliefs or practices. Federal law protects an employee’s right to wear religious symbols, keep religious objects in the workplace, and engage in non-disruptive religious observance. Courts have repeatedly held that punishing employees for such expression is direct evidence of unlawful discrimination.

In our client’s case, Timken’s actions created a hostile work environment for people of faith. Rather than promoting “neutrality,” the company imposed a policy of hostility toward religious expression. By labeling the Bible and cross as “non-inclusive,” Timken turned inclusion on its head and singled out Christianity for suppression.

That is why the ACLJ sent a formal demand letter to Timken, calling on the company to immediately reverse course. We are demanding written assurances that our client will be allowed to keep his Bible on his desk, wear his cross necklace openly, and not be retaliated against in any way. Anything less would be a continued violation of his constitutional and statutory rights. This is a fight we have taken on – and won – before.

The implications of this case extend far beyond one workplace. If left unchecked, this kind of discrimination sends a dangerous message that people of faith must hide their beliefs to keep their jobs. Religious liberty doesn’t end at the office door. Every American has the right to live out their faith without fear of punishment or harassment. If a major corporation can tell one worker to hide his Bible and cross because they are “not inclusive,” what’s to stop your employer, your child’s school, or even a government agency from doing the same to you or someone you love? Religious liberty is a fundamental right guaranteed by law, and when it’s violated anywhere, it threatens liberty everywhere.

Stand With Us

The ACLJ is fully committed to defending our client and every American whose religious liberty is under attack. But we can’t do this work alone. Join us today in the fight for faith and freedom. Sign our petition, share this story, and stand with the ACLJ as we hold corporations accountable when they trample on the Constitution.