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ARLINGTON, Texas - Two women are suing the University of Texas at Arlington, saying they were fired from their jobs for praying.
Liberty Legal Institute, a Plano, Texas religious-freedom group, filed a federal wrongful termination lawsuit Tuesday on behalf of Evelyne Micky Shatkin and Linda Shifflett, contending the two women were fired because their religion, age and sex.
The two women, who are both older than 40, had prayed with a third co-worker at his cubicle after work hours March 3. The lawsuit claims the university did not fire a third employee, a man under 40, who had been praying with them.
"I am still shocked at the treatment we received from UTA," Shatkin said.
University spokesman Bob Wright issued a statement saying the university respects employees' right to religious beliefs and does not discriminate on the basis of religion.
"We cannot comment on personnel matters or cases in litigation," he wrote. "However, the accusations presented in this lawsuit are a gross distortion of the truth."
The lawsuit names as defendants the university and employees James Spaniolo, president; Gary M. Cole, vice president for development; Amy J. Schultz, formerly the assistant vice president for development; and Selma Permenter, formerly director of advancement services.
University officials said that Shatkin and Shifflett began working at the school in 1999.
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(c) 2006, Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Distributed by Mclatchy-Tribune News Service.
