Firefighter's Religious Objections To Foul Language Dismissed

In Trussell v. City of Decherd, 2012 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 40086  (ED TN, March 23, 2012), a Tennessee federal district court dismissed free exercise claims brought by a former member of the Decherd, Tennessee fire department. Plaintiff complained that other firefighters engaged in cursing and foul language, and that as "a devout Christian" his religious beliefs "included a prohibition on the use of foul language." The court said that his free exercise allegations were unclear and he had not alleged a connection between his religion and any employment action against him.