AP recently reported a dramatic increase in religious discrimination lawsuits filed by Muslims in the U.S. Complaints to the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission have more than doubled over the past decade. It is a freedom allowed here that few Muslim countries would extend to those of other beliefs.

In April, a federal judge directed Minnesota-based Gold'n Plump Inc. and an employment agency to pay $1.35 million to settle lawsuits alleging religious discrimination against Muslims at a chicken processing plant in Cold Spring. Somali Muslims claimed that Gold'n Plump violated their religious rights by refusing to allow them prayer breaks during work hours.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday (Oct 6) Fox News reports that a New York school district will pay a student $1 in damages after he accused officials of prohibiting him from forming a Bible club. The Lindenhurst School District on Long Island denies it violated the unidentified student's civil rights, but agreed to settle the lawsuit. The Central Islip, NY district says that in March — a month after the suit was filed — Lindenhurst High School recognized the Bible club.

One point three five mill. One point zero zero. Almost the same, no?