Bus Driver Suspended Over Atheist Ad Returns to Work

1
By Lawrence D. Jones , Christian Post Reporter
August 24, 2009|11:43 pm

The Christian bus driver in Iowa who was suspended last week for refusing to drive a bus that carried an ad for an atheist group returned to work Monday after settling on one of four options that she had been given.

Angela, Shiel, 41, decided to resume her current position at the Des Moines Regional Transit Authority instead of resigning or driving paratransit buses – few of which have ads.

Shiel did not, however, agree to drive any bus. So should she refuse to drive as she did last week, she will face termination.

“Hopefully I won’t get the sign anymore,” she told the Des Moines Register, referring to the bus ad paid for by the Iowa Atheists & Freethinkers. “It’s a chance I have to take. …I like what I’m doing. I don’t want to start all over.”

According to DART General Manager Brad Miller, bus assignments are made on the spot, based on such factors as the number of seats and mileage.

“There’s no assurances that there might not be another ad she doesn’t agree with,” he told the Register. “There’s so many different things that go into that, there’s no way we can guarantee anything.”

Follow us

Still, despite the risk, Miller said the transit authority was willing to give Shiel a second chance.

According to the local newspaper, 20 of the DART’s 120 fix-route buses feature the ad on their side.

The ads will remain on the buses through the second week of September.

Advertisement
Top Stories

Why Is the Pro-Life Message Winning and Traditional Marriage Losing?

Since Roe vs. Wade, the U.S. Supreme Court ...

Nearly 14,000 US Churches Signed on for 'My Hope America with Billy Graham'

The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association recently launched "Lose to Gain," its second half-hour video program installment of the My Hope America with Billy Graham campaign series. With less than five months remaining in the ...

NY Gov. Cuomo's Abortion Plank Back in Play in New York Senate

New York lawmakers have extended their ...

Interview: Frank Page Speaks Candidly About Suicide, Loss of His Daughter

Frank Page, president of the Southern Baptist ...

House Passes Federal Ban on Abortion at 20 Weeks; Bill Moves to Senate

Members of the House voted 228 to 196 Tuesday ...