A gay Jewish veteran working at a Texas church food pantry in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey says she was cast out because of her faith, according to a report.
Carmen Hix said she took a leave of absence from her part-time job to volunteer at Calvary Houston Church for 10 days, Click 2 Houston reported.
At the end of the daily Christian prayers, the US Navy vet, who served during Vietnam, said she uttered “‘shalom” very quietly.”
“I was asked about that by the supervisor of the food bank, ‘Why do you say ‘shalom?’” I said, ‘Because I’m Jewish.’”
When details about her personal life emerged the following day, other volunteers reacted with shock and the pantry’s director called her in for a talk.
“The gentleman asked me, looked me in the eye, and says, ‘Are you a Christian?’ and I said, ‘No, I identify as being Jewish,’ and he said, ‘Then you can no longer volunteer for Calvary,’” the site reported.
Afterwards, she went on Facebook to rail about her alleged treatment.
“TODAY, I was “FIRED” from volunteering because I identify as Jewish (discovering my Jewish heritage recently) and would not say that I was Christian when called into the “Principal’s Office” by the Head of their food pantry,” she wrote.
But the church’s founder, Ron Hindt, claimed he loves everyone.
“At no time did I ever say [she] couldn’t serve here. I told her I have Jewish friends. I go to Israel all the time. … There are people coming to the church who are gay and lesbian,” Hindt said, adding that he invited her and her partner to attend services, but that they turned him down.
Hix recalled the interaction differently.
“He said when God strikes your heart and brings to light the sinfulness of your ways you’ll be able to walk away from that relationship and you’ll be good with God,” she told the site.
She added: “All I wanted to do was help those less fortunate than myself and not being able to do that because of my lifestyle and because I’m Jewish was just very hurtful.”
Hix said she’s now volunteering at a food pantry organized by the SSG Group.
