An atheist activist group is suing a New Jersey animal shelter over its annual pet-blessing event.
American Atheists, Inc. (AAI) — the same group that opposed a 9/11 memorial in Princeton, New Jersey — promotes a self-described holiday tradition of anti-church billboard campaigning during the Christmas season. This time, their grinch-like target is those who intervene on behalf of helpless animals in need of a forever home. The group filed a complaint against the shelter in federal court earlier this month.
For the past two years, the Teterboro-based Bergen County Animal Shelter (BCAS) has brought in a local clergyman to conduct a blessing for the animals housed at the government-supported facility. This year’s event took place on October 4.
The public — as is often the case with this type of event — was invited to bring their pets to the facility to participate as well.
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The glowing, appreciative comments accompanying the shelter’s Facebook post, along with the photos, speak volumes about the cherished event.
Allegedly, Kenneth “Brother Ken” Reihl — an Abbot bishop and Franciscan friar with the Franciscan Order of the Divine Mercy in North Arlington, New Jersey — had the audacity to greet co-complainant Candice Yaakobi when she entered the BCAS to inquire about the availability of a Chihuahua. And if the ghastly allegations are true, the BCAS did nothing to thwart this greeting.
Per the complaint and the jury demand lodged against the facility and its director, Deborah Yankow, “Upon arriving at the BCAS, Candice [Yaakobi] encountered Reihl, in full Franciscan vestments, standing directly in front of the reception desk to greet anyone arriving at the facility … As a humanist atheist, being forced into an encounter with a member of clergy in order to avail herself of government services sent Candice [Yaakobi] the message that the BCAS and Bergen County regarded her as inferior to those citizens who happened to adhere to the favored religious view.”
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Boo hoo. An animal shelter volunteer wearing the clothing of his choice greeted a fellow New Jersey citizen. That apparently hurt Yaakobi’s feelings. If he had worn jeans and a T-shirt while speaking or petting the animals, would that have raised her hackles?
According to his LinkedIn profile, the rogue greeter — who is not party to the suit — also serves as a chaplain for the Moonachie, New Jersey, Fire Department. On that same page, Brother Ken notes, “I am not perfect, but I do strive to do the best I can in everything I do. It is important to give everything you try 100 percent … If you fail, you know [you] gave it everything you had.”
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It certainly was not Kenneth Reihl who failed here. Nor was it the Bergen County Animal Shelter. Nor was it the staff. The failure here is on the part of the AAI, and it’s an egregious failure indeed. The group’s failure lies in its mean-spirited attempt to leverage the BCAS to quash Reihl’s freedom of speech, and by extension, the freedom of speech of all persons of faith — or without faith, as the case may be. Given their way, the feelings of AAI member Yaakobi would trump Reihl’s right to self-expression in a government-supported venue.
The AAI’s complaint says the BCAS violated citizens’ civil rights by permitting the friendly friar to bestow blessings on the animals. It says that both the United States’ and the State of New Jersey’s constitutionally guaranteed rights were trampled upon, and that BCAS should suffer punitive damages for allowing and promoting pet blessings in the facility.
“Talk about intolerant. Keep blessing the animals. After what most of them have been through, they need blessings.”
In Brother Reihl’s November 17 Facebook post, he mentions he was unaware of the court action until a friend brought it to his attention. “When I saw it I was a bit shocked, but then I had to question, why would this group even go down this path? Their belief is that there is no God, and if that [is] the case, would they not just be wasting their time and money? But on the other hand, could it be that they think there may really be something?”
Later in the thread, he notes, “They go against those who do believe and our rights. If you do not believe, no one will hold you there. Just keep walking. I am confused how they continue to attempt to attack the rights of those who love God. But their actions say a lot about them.”
One response to Brother Reihl’s post captured the situation perfectly. In it, the friar’s Facebook friend Linda Diaz states, “This is what is wrong with the world today. It was a good thing, a blessing. No one got hurt except [the atheists’] feelings. I am not offended by nonbelievers; however, they are offended by me. Talk about intolerant. Keep blessing the animals. After what most of them have been through, they need blessings :)”
Michele Blood is a freelance writer with a passion for children’s literature. Based in Flemington, New Jersey, she leverages her background in psychology in her work for publishers, businesses and NPOs.
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