A Fountain Hill man claims the Family YMCA of Easton, Phillipsburg and Vicinity fired him because he is an atheist and complained about religious discrimination, according to a lawsuit.

Edward Massey filed the suit Wednesday in federal court and seeks monetary damages and a permanent injunction barring the organization from religious discrimination, records say.

The YMCA is in the 1200 block of West Lafayette Street in Easton. Nicholas Ciambrone, CEO of the YMCA, said via e-mail that he has not yet seen the lawsuit and could not comment on it.



Massey, who was hired in 2008, worked at the YMCA as a lead teacher. In July 2010, a child asked Massey about his religious beliefs and Massey said he did not personally believe in God. Massey explained to the child what atheism means, according to the suit.

The same day, YMCA management allegedly told Massey that he worked for a Christian organization and that he was to "spread Christian values" going forward.

Massey was handed written discipline and suspended for two days, the suit says. Faced with the discipline, Massey told his managers he felt he was being discriminated against because of his beliefs.

Massey returned to work and was fired after failing to properly teach a cooking and hygiene lesson, the suit says.