Reply #33: Take careful notes, research the matter, find a lawyer>>> [View All]

[bluedawg12]

I posted about this type of experience that happened to me, on another thread here at DU. (Link at the bottom of this reply) So, yes your denomination can play a big role in earning your daily bread, even in modern day America.

Some organized religious groups, have become aggressive in using religion as a tool in society.

In your case, because it takes place at work, involves co-workers and a direct supervisor, it could be argued that it is coercive. Meaning, if you don’t play ball you will be dealt with differently than those co-workers who are part of this group.

It also seems coercive because they did not post a flyer in the teachers lounge, as a general invitation, they placed individual memo’s- thus singling out each employee, in the mailboxes. Further evidence of coercion is that the names of those who attend are posted. That is pressure and coercion.

In another words, a prayer meeting in the morning, announced by a public flyer, open to all, as a voluntary and open meeting would be dubious, but more tolerable, but individual memo’s and listing the names of others so that those not attending feel monitored and excluded is wrong and that is what creates a hostile environment.

These intrusive "faith-baiters" do this for several reasons above and beyond “prayer”.

First of all, it is a social litmus test. Because if you are an Evangelical then they know that you:

1.) Are not a practicing gay.
2.) Are anti-choice.
3.) You are not a papist.
4.) And probably go along with the entire shopping cart full of conserva-pig dogma.

I think it also creates a hostile working environment. It’s an us v. them posture.
I know that former Atty. Gen. Asscrafty held daily AM prayer meetings, so there is a president in society that signals that this type of exclusionary behavior is OK, even at the highest levels of government.

I would NOT:
1.) Debate them.
2.) Inflame them
3.) Draw attention by having counter -meetings.
That will only ignite their self righteousness and feelings of persecution for the sake of their faith.

I would:
1.) Take careful notes and keep every flyer.
2.) Write down any comment that any co-worker might make to you about religion and/or the meetings.
3.) Quietly go about gathering info. from the groups that were mentioned here.
This web site has some really useful info:
http://www.tangledmoon.org/work-harrassment.htm

This is a WICCANS story of how work discrimination evolved for her.
http://members.aol.com/Runes3/work.htm


Also know thy enemy.
They may claim you are discriminating against them!

Check out this rightwing site:

http://www.rutherford.org/issues/religious_freedom.asp

Religious Discrimination in the Workplace:
An Epidemic in Need of a Legislative Cure
Calling on Congress to take legislative action to protect the rights of religious individuals in the workplace, The Rutherford Institute has issued a special report and 10-year overview of religious discrimination in the workplace. In addition to illustrating how protections for religious persons in the workplace have been weakened by various court rulings over the years, the report provides a 10-year overview of workplace religious discrimination cases handled by Rutherford Institute attorneys and highlights the sharp increase of religious discrimination complaints filed with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) in recent years. Specifically, the report calls for the passage of the proposed Workplace Religious Freedom Act (WRFA), which was co-sponsored by Senators John Kerry (D-Mass.) and Rick Santorum (R-Pa.) and has languished in Congress since being introduced in April 2003. More.


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I was asked about my religious denomination on 3 job interviews.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=5349763&mesg_id=5349933
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