Question about Witnessing

[E-beth]

My stepfather lost his job today. He worked for ten years for the mortgage department of a large bank. When he worked in the mail room a few years ago, he got in trouble for, in essence, witnessing. They didn't really call it that but wrote him up and warned him to refrain from discussing religion at work. A year or so later he was written up for "harassment" which ended up being the same thing. He was told if he was reported one more time he would be fired. He was put on 6 months probation, passed it, and kept working. A month ago he was transferred to a new department in the company. He thought it would be better because the one or two people who filed all the complaints would not be there. I guess it did not matter because today he was canned. My stepdad is not a person to just say, "I am sorry your son is sick, he is in my prayers" He is more of a in-your-face, broken-record type. Not that this is neccesarily bad, but AT WORK?

I am a Christian and always have been blessed to work with schools that are either Christian or have a large percentage of Christian people with whom I work. So maybe I don't understand it. But after the first write up, I would have stopped being so open or whatever. I would decorate my cubicle with religious art, leave tracts around maybe, and above all let my actions speak for me.

My mom acts like he is a hero. I see him as unemployed unneccesarily. Isn't there a proper time and place for out-in-the-open witnessing? Is it wrong to keep a lid on it to keep your job and a roof over your head?

I feel like a sub-standard Christian for wishing he had just toned down the sermons at work. Maybe I should feel he is a hero for risking his job to ask people if they are Christians.

I am just confused and would like input. I wasn't sure if this is OK for this forum but this is one I would not appreciate a humanists' input on.

One thing my stepdad and I agree on, it is that God will provide for he and my mom. They would still appreciate your prayers tho.

 

[LouisBooth]

That is discrimination and he might have a case. Go ask a lawyer. If he is given a concern by someone he can tell them what he thinks they should do if they ask him. The concern was directed to him then he has a case. I am glad to hear your father was still witnessing. Just think about it this way. If you love something you talk about it. To me it sounds like your step father was passionate about Christ. That is something to thank the Lord for, not condemn him. Christ reaches and should be at the center of your life and that effects ALL of your life, including work. I'll be praying and you can tell him that even if I don't know him I admire him and that his reward in heaven will be great. Never pass up an oppertunity to share the gospel with someone, that might be their only hope..who knows, they might die tomorrow.

 

[Josephus]

better yet, bring your dad's case to the attention of the American Center for Law and Justice

www.aclj.org

Jay Sekulow is Chief Counsel for the ACLJ and has taken several cases to the Supreme Court. Their services are free.

you may search for information at the link above, but to contact them, go here:
www.aclj.org/about/contact.asp

I highly highly HIGHLY recommend you contact these guys for the next step - they WILL help your father if he wants his job back and take an even bigger stand for his rights to witness.

I personally believe you should share whatever it is God Himself puts on your heart to share - no matter the cost.

 

[E-beth]

WOW! Thanks Josephus! I never knew such a thing existed. I forwarded the info to my mom and stepdad. He doesn't want his job back but he also doesn't want them to get away without having to explain their actions.

Ironic that they fired him on the national day of prayer/remembrance...

 

[Bruce S]

Introduction - Christian Rights in the Workplace

Table of Contents / Endnotes

The Great Commission requires believers to spread the Gospel to the four corners of the Earth. Increasingly, people are realizing that this means that we are to be witnesses in our places of work. We at The American Center for Law and Justice are being inundated with calls from both employees and employers asking what the rules are for sharing one's faith at work.

There will always be opposition to the spreading of the Gospel. Some in our society want religious people to keep their convictions to themselves and leave their religion at home. The law, however, does not require that religious employees and employers check their religion at the office door or the factory gate when they come to work.

Federal and State laws protect the religious freedoms of employees and employers. Employers can run their business in conformance with godly principles and employees cannot be forced to act in a manner that conflicts with their religious beliefs. For instance, Christian employers may hold and participate in voluntary chapel services and prayer meetings for employees, and employees can share their faith with co-workers during breaks or free time so long as it is not disruptive.

In short, there is no law requiring the workplace to be a religion-free zone. This booklet is designed to provide both employees and employers with answers to the question: What does the law have to say about religion at work? Do I have to work on Sunday if I think it is a sin? Can my company employ a full-time chaplain for employees? Do I have to pay union dues if the union supports homosexual rights? Can the stated purpose of my company be to glorify God?

The answers to these questions and many others are contained in the pages that follow. These answers are based on general legal principles that may or may not apply to any given situation. Because each actual case is unique, the specific facts of each case have a direct impact on its outcome. So the answers here will give you general guidance, but you need to seek professional legal counsel to address the specifics of your situation.

For the business world to act ethically and responsibly, it must have access to sound religious morality through its people in ownership as well as on the work floor. More people are being made aware of this truth and have decided that, despite pressure from society, they can no longer keep their faith a secret while at work. After all, if we have sincerely committed our lives to God, how can we leave Him out of the place where we earn our living and spend the better part of each day? It is hoped that this booklet will provide business owners and working people with a helpful overview of the law governing religion in the workplace.

Your brother advocating Jesus,


Jay Alan Sekulow

http://www.aclj.org/publications/work/wplaceintro.asp

 

[Phoebe]

Did he violate another person's civil rghts?
I don't think there is much that he can do about this. All three write- ups pertained to the same thing. He was warned.
Sometimes, in witnessing, silence can speak louder than words. Your step- dad didn't know when to back off.
Would he like it if a Buddhist was consantly in his face? The same laws that protect him are also there to protect others.

Did that make any sense?

 

[SUNSTONE]

I have been fired for witnessing. I have been kicked off of a forum for it to.

And I am glad that he has stood up for what is right. God provides and he will find another job. Me personaly, I would have never made the probation period. lol

When I witness, I talk to people that will talk. If they don't want to here it, all they have to do is ask, and I will leave them alone.I feel I have done my part, and no need to push it any farther.

Bless your father for what he has done. He sounds like an excellent example that you can learn from. Get in there and fight girl! Stand up for whats right, who cares what other people think.

 

[SUNSTONE]

Did he violate another person's civil rghts?
I don't think there is much that he can do about this. All three write- ups pertained to the same thing. He was warned.
Sometimes, in witnessing, silence can speak louder than words. Your step- dad didn't know when to back off.
Would he like it if a Buddhist was consantly in his face? The same laws that protect him are also there to protect others.

Did that make any sense?

Civil rights, is freedom of speech.
And unless his witnessing was disruptive, causing people to not produce at work then that is a different story. But some people, just hate to hear the name Jesus.

 

[Phoebe]

Freedom of/ from religion?

 

[Romanbear]

Hi everyone;
When you know God is speaking to your heart and telling you to do something.Are we to stop and say Lord not now?
In Christ
Romanbear

 

[Phoebe]

I think it's great for someone to listen to the Holy Spirit. Problem is, some people don't. Some are so busy trying to be bold, that they can't hear God telling them to be silent.
Not everyone is won over with boldness. Meekness can sometimes be better.

I think it's wonderful that people are willing to witness.
However, the same laws that protect Christians are also here to protect people of other religions.
I wouldn't like someone cramming their Muslim beliefs down my throat, so I try not to cram my beliefs down theirs.