Interesting Situation

[talitha]

hmmm.... I suppose a Christian ought to answer this question....

I believe the Christian woman behaved unbecomingly and stretched things way out of proportion. I doubt her children noticed anything except her behavior.

As for me, I am saddened when I see such symbols, because of the deception I perceive the person wearing them to be under, but I'm not angry, and I don't feel personally threatened; I certainly wouldn't have thrown a fit. It's a basic tenet of Christianity that "greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world." If we can't trust in that, then what are we doing? As for hiding the symbols, I don't know -- at least I know where you are coming from. I tend to ask people about their religion or denomination up front so I can know whom I'm dealing with; some people don't like that and claim that I'm labeling them, but what's wrong with a label? It ensures that you don't put corned beef hash on your ice cream rather than peaches.

I don't believe that particular woman deserved to be sanctioned, and I don't think we should restrict the employment rights of discreet people of any of the categories you mentioned. But I would not like the "Wiccan, Pagan, Satanist, or even Gay or Lesbian" person to atempt to sway the opinions or orientations of my children and may even request (if I had a child) that he/she be removed from his/her influence. That would be my right as a parent. And I would pray that the person be converted or leave the position, as I don't want any children to come under the influence of those things.

All of the above categories of people include some very kind and sociable and discreet individuals, with the possible exception of the Satanists (but of course I don't personally know any of those, so....). If we completely isolate and insulate ourselves from them, or worse, treat them harshly the way the woman in the OP did, then how could we ever expect to win any of them to Christ?

blessings
tal

 

[coyoteBR]

Sheesh, what a scene.
But this is the situation where nobody is right.

The woman, by overreacting, by getting mad by some small piece of crafted metal. By getting the facts totally wrong and out of control.

The manager, for not solving the situation better. He acted to further deep the quarrel, instead of getting the woman out of the line, say something sympathetic, gave her some water and the food and promisse to take care of the matter, than later talik to the cashier, explaining that, yes, he understand that faith is important, but that was a profissional ambinet and he would apeciate if she kept such simbol under her clothes, in order to avoid such scenes in future.

And the cashier, for not being a pro. That is an working ambiente. She should act as a professional and not voicing personal advocacies there. I don't say even a comma to my clients about my views on religious and social questions, even if they ask me. The maximum I get to is some friendly chat about soccer teams. And that's it.

Faith is a very important part of what we are. It defines how we think and act. But, between 9 to 5, we had an obligation to help, serve and solve problems of another person on our jobs.
We should act accordingly.

 

[Gkbarnes]

The customer was totally out of line. I mean, for goodness sake, how is her faith going to be shaken by a peice of jewellry?

Yes, the cashier needs Christ, but that is NO WAY to evangelise. In fact, it turns people OFF of Christianity.

 

[Fuzzy]

Random comments:

I have a Herne pendant, and when I wear it to work, it stays under the clothes, because it could potentially get caught in a pneumatic press. Jewelry is permitted at my job, and laid out in the dress code, but safety is paramount.

The customer was out of line, since at the least her complaints would slow down the checkout process for other people in the store. Plus, she's demonstrating to her children that pitching a hissyfit in public is appropriate behavior.

I think the employee did the right thing in standing up for herself (I might be a little biased ) in terms of responding to the customer, and dealing with her superior. While Gardner's "laws" do state to be secretive about being Wiccan, turning the other cheek just gets you slapped twice. That cashier has rights the same as anyone else.

The superior opened themselves up to the potential for harrasment and discrimination, dependent on labor laws in that area and the employment guidelines. And yes, I'd feel the same way if the cashier had been treated that way because of her cross pendant.

In the state I live in (Texas), teachers have to abide by a "morals" clause as part of being a teacher. Through whatever sense of humor the universe has, I've been fortunate to know several teachers (or at least people who went through teacher training.) Horror stories abound of teachers dismissed for "morally questionable acts" like being a Democrat, or renting an R rated movie.
While the "morals standard" does vary from city to city, there are places where being a non-Christian teacher can et you unemployed, even if religion never came in to it. I know one teacher who's lost friendships because she couldn't go places a parent might see her, such as a bar.

 

[pensive]

While Gardner's "laws" do state to be secretive about being Wiccan, turning the other cheek just gets you slapped twice. That cashier has rights the same as anyone else.

Well, considering how Gardner was accused by more than one of his contemporaries for being a "media hound," one has to wonder how much he regarded the Ardanes, himself.

Besides, let's not forget that according to the cashier, she was originally wearing her jewelry under her shirt and they apparently slipped out (which I can say from personal experience does happen at times). As such, she had made some effort to be discreet in the first place.

I know one teacher who's lost friendships because she couldn't go places a parent might see her, such as a bar.

I'm not sure which saddens me more, the fact that your friend was placed in a position where she had to make such a choice or the fact that some of her "friends" abandoned her for making such a choice.

 

[arunma]

Horror stories abound of teachers dismissed for "morally questionable acts" like being a Democrat

Please tell me that you're joking.

...no, really.

 

[Osiris]

The Boss should be sued.

That is exactly what I was thinking when I read it...

The woman should get a shrink.
The cashier should repent and turn to Christ.

I think the one who should repent is the woman causing the disturbance. She should also turn to Wiccan.

 

[Alecto]

And the cashier, for not being a pro. That is an working ambiente. She should act as a professional and not voicing personal advocacies there. I don't say even a comma to my clients about my views on religious and social questions, even if they ask me. The maximum I get to is some friendly chat about soccer teams. And that's it.

Why are you only allowed to defend your beliefs in certain situations? I think the cashier did the right thing and I admire her courage and her ability of self control. I probably would have exploded or shot off something sarcastic.

 

[Fuzzy]

Please tell me that you're joking.

...no, really.

I might be hyperbolizing just a little, but it is not unheard of for a teacher to have problems because of politcal issues or being divorced due to spousal abuse. It seems the only way to be a successful teacher nowadays in this state is to be an automaton that regurgitates information and teaches kids how to get a high score on a standardized test.

 

[sanaa]

recently i read a news story where the pastor asked the democrat members of the church to leave . maybe u can google it

 

[maladroit]

recently i read a news story where the pastor asked the democrat members of the church to leave . maybe u can google it

sheesh! yeah, i heard about that... way to get your point across, i mean, if i were there i would have immeadiately said, oh, gee, your right, i'll become a conservative!

 

[Alecto]

I might be hyperbolizing just a little, but it is not unheard of for a teacher to have problems because of politcal issues or being divorced due to spousal abuse. It seems the only way to be a successful teacher nowadays in this state is to be an automaton that regurgitates information and teaches kids how to get a high score on a standardized test.

Many teachers at the school I went to refused to tell you who they voted for, what they were politically or give thier views on anything political because they didnt want to "influence" us

 

[Fuzzy]

Well, considering how Gardner was accused by more than one of his contemporaries for being a "media hound," one has to wonder how much he regarded the Ardanes, himself.

Point.

I'm not sure which saddens me more, the fact that your friend was placed in a position where she had to make such a choice or the fact that some of her "friends" abandoned her for making such a choice.

Acquaintenceships come and go, as do friendships, but having to restrict yourself from things you'd be able to do if you had another job, even though your hobbies in NO WAY impact the classroom, that's something else. And is one reason my wife is a corporate trainer, depsite being qualified to teach college courses.

 

[Green Man]

When the woman in front of me placed her basket on the table, she engaged in friendly chit-chat with the cashier. Until she noticed the Pentagram necklace. She called her husband out of the car to take the kids away, and then proceeded to berate the casheir for exposing her children to Satanism. The cashier, polite as can be, explained that she wasn't a Satanist, but she was Wiccan, but the woman continued to yell at her for flaunting her "ties with Satan" in front of young children. The cashier again said that she wasn't a Satanist, but that she was Wiccan. She said that she was sorry to offend her, but the Pentagram was the symbol of her faith, and she wears it all the time... Even at her regular job as an assistant teacher. This caused the woman to lose all control.

Another shining example of christian love and tolerance.

 

[pensive]

recently i read a news story where the pastor asked the democrat members of the church to leave . maybe u can google it

If memory serves, it was more specifically people who voted for Kerry, though I could be wrong.

The good news is that (again, if memory serves) that pastor eventually found himself ousted from his pastorate.

 

[sanaa]

If memory serves, it was more specifically people who voted for Kerry, though I could be wrong.

The good news is that (again, if memory serves) that pastor eventually found himself ousted from his pastorate.

i believe it were all democrats , but yes he resigned . thank god , what he tried was outrageous .

 

[pensive]

Acquaintenceships come and go, as do friendships, but having to restrict yourself from things you'd be able to do if you had another job, even though your hobbies in NO WAY impact the classroom, that's something else.

In one sense, I agree with you. But in another sense, I have very high standards in what I consider a "friend" and what it means to me to say that I"m someone else's "friend." And I'd consider myself a horrible friend if I ended a friendship with someone just because she felt it was in her best career interests not to go to bars. After all, it's her decision to make and she deserves my support as she follows her own conscience in this matter.

 

[Fuzzy]

After all, it's her decision to make and she deserves my support as she follows her own conscience in this matter.

I agree they weren't the best example of "friends." I still think if your personal life is not impacting your job, then it doesn't matter what you do.

 

[coyoteBR]

Why are you only allowed to defend your beliefs in certain situations? I think the cashier did the right thing and I admire her courage and her ability of self control. I probably would have exploded or shot off something sarcastic.[/font]

It's not the question of being allowed to defend your beliefs. She is intituled to it, and act on one of the best possible ways.
It is a matter of not going and look for trouble.
I wear a medallion with the phrase "God Is Love". sleep with it, bath with it, only remove it on the swimming pool (because I fear loosing it). I don't remember it getting exposed by an accident, not even during sports.
I meant she should avoid the exposition. But, once it happened, she did acted in a coherent way.

 

[Alecto]

I fail to see how she was going and looking for trouble