Yule says she was fired from her job at the Catholic hospital because it doesn't recognize her religion -- ordinarily a violation of state and federal civil rights law.

But her situation isn't so simple. Yule's religion has no formal deity or buildings of worship. Some of its adherents suspend themselves by hooks dug into their skin. You can apply to be a minister by e-mail.

Yule, 24, of Waterford, says she is a member of the Church of Body Modification, whose members meet online to share a passion for changing their bodies.

You know, on the surface, it just seems like someone being difficult, but as the article points out, it is quite a sticky subject and slippery slope. Some policies are outdated and need to be revamped, in my opinion. Our hospital has the same policies, and while they are valuable to a point, they do reach the point of ludicrousness. For example, no tattoos can be visible whatsoever. If you are tattooed (even if it is not vulgar), you have to cover it with a bandaid or clothes or something. Our marketing director has a simple yin/yang on her ankle that she has to cover with a bandaid even under her nylons (since you can see it through nylons). The "oooh tattoos=bad" mentality has got to go. This situation is quite similar.

Where do you draw the line though? It's drawn too far back, in my opinion, but I don't know how to justify moving it a bit forward, but not throwing it away.

~Heathyr

A lost job and a case of faith -- Page 1 -- Times Union - Albany NY