In a letter to The Gleaner dated September 17, correspondent T.N. suggests that he has been discriminated against because of his religious beliefs.

He writes inter alia: "Before I was called into the interview room, I was given a form which required me, in part, to state my denomination, which I did." The question is: what purpose does that information really serve? Why should I be forced to reveal my religious belief when I apply for a job in a school as a teacher or in a hospital as a nurse? What does that say about my competence?

The only thing that such institutions have a right to demand from employees from outside their faith is respect for their faith. The late Sister Mary Stephanie, while she was principal of Holy Childhood High School, would insist that those of us who were not Roman Catholic should show reverence by standing during devotions and allow a Catholic student to lead the ritual. This was a reasonable request. At Wolmers Boys' School, as a student during the '60s, I remember a number of students including a few Hindus and Jews who excluded themselves from assembly but remained under supervision until the end, when they would return to the hall to hear the announcements.

Growing intolerance

In my almost 40 years of teaching I was fortunate enough to teach at schools that were tolerant of the religious views of others. However, over the years I have observed, and heard of a growing intolerance towards the religious views of others in too many schools. Most of the intolerance today comes from the Christian fundamentalists who insist on making a virtue out of fanaticism.

My view is that it is unconstitutional for any institution that accepts government funds to discriminate against an employee or customer on religious grounds. It is time that we insist that all institutions that receive public funds act constitutionally. A good start would be made if we remove all questions about religion of prospective employees from application forms that they are required to fill out.

I am, etc.,

R HOWARD THOMPSON

Rockton, Waltham.

Mandeville