Anti-Christian discrimination. Forced unionism. Religious inquisitions. Do these sound like the tactics of a tolerant, diversity-loving group? They certainly didn't to Dennis Robey, an Ohio public school teacher, when he attempted to refuse paying a compulsory "fair share" fee to the state teachers union.

Robey, like thousands of teachers in Ohio and 20 other states, is required to pay fees to the National Education Association's state affiliate under collective-bargaining laws. These state laws require all teachers who "benefit" from collective bargaining to pay a fee to the union.

However, under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, teachers and other public employees required to pay union fees may claim a religious exemption and direct the fees to a charity of their choice.

But as Robey discovered, doing so in Ohio is not nearly that simple. When he realized the radical left-wing social policies advocated by the Ohio Education Association, such as abortion and homosexuality education of schoolchildren, Robey claimed a religious exemption and tried to divert his fees, annually totaling $400, to Habitat for Humanity.

The union demanded Robey complete a lengthy and intrusive form each year detailing his relationship with God and his religious affiliation. The union also required a signature from a religious official to validate his responses. Robey characterized the procedure as harassment, and so has the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).

As a result of a lawsuit brought against the union by the National Right to Work Foundation (NRWF) on Robey's behalf, the EEOC ruled that the union violated Robey's civil rights. According to Bruce Cameron of the NRWF, literally hundreds of Ohio teachers face the same harassment as Robey stemming from the Ohio Education Association's "policy to discourage religious objectors."

For public school teachers who oppose the National Education Association's political activities but fear leaving the NEA and losing the insurance benefits it offers, there is an alternative-the Association of American Educators. AAE offers $2 million in liability coverage and other benefits for annual dues of $125. Contact AAE, 26012 Marguerite Pkwy, No. H333, Mission Viejo, CA 92692; phone 949-595-7979 or 1-800-704-7799; fax 949-595-7970; e-mail: info@aaeteachers.org; Web: www.aaeteachers.org.