Big update to my post from this morning: Question from my employer

[beyurslf]

Here is the OP: <http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x888395>
I posted that my CEO sent out an email that everyone had to have Christian values to work there. It is a "faith based" group but we don't even use the religious name. We also contract with the government and majority of our funding is state or federal dollars.

Well, I re-read the email this morning. It is worse that "Christian values." It says that all employees are "expected to have Christian beliefs and values." So not only do I need Christian values, which can be some vague "do good works" type of values. Now, I also must have Christian "beliefs." That seems much more defined to me and even more unacceptable.

[hobbit709]

1. Back to the definition of "Christian"

Yours or hers.

[beyurslf]

2. I don't care how we define "Christian." I am not a Christian at all.

I certainly don't hold "Christian" beliefs.

[hobbit709]

8. Neither am I and never was

I meant as in my previous post on yours. If it means feeding the hungry, helping the needy and healing the sick, then I agree with "Christian" values-though they aren't exclusively Christian. Unfortunately most people that go around espousing "Christian" values are more like the Falwell and Robertson types and I don't consider those attitudes as "Christian" in the least bit.

[Red Zelda]

3. Just lie

...christians do it all the time.

[earth mom]

4. Is this even legal?!

:wtf:

[firefox_fan]

6. Hmmm, if they get federal dollars it cannot be legal.

[hootinholler]

13. The faith based laws

Now allow some gray areas. Need to talk this one over with a lawyer.

-Hoot

[beyurslf]

9. I wasn't sure since it is "faith based" and Bush signed in that new law

about faith based groups.

[sinkingfeeling]

5. I think I'd be talking this memo over with a good civil rights lawyer.

[firefox_fan]

7. Exactly.

[beyurslf]

10. I have called one that I know here. I just haven't heard from him yet.

I didn't know if being a faith based group made this type of behavior legal now. We contract with the state to provide services to children in state custody and in foster care. We have always been "non religious" because our clients do not have a choice in working with us. When a child is put into foster care in my county, the family either works with us or won't get their child back. We receive our funding directly from the state. We also receive federal funding in reimbursements for certain things through Medicaid.

[porphyrian]

11. Time to look for another job. You aren't stuck there, are you? - n/t

[beyurslf]

12. No. I know lots of people in the field here and could find new work.

But I really love my job and am very good at it. And I want to buy a house this year so I don't want to change jobs. I shouldn't have to!

[dysfunctional press]

14. you'll be able to buy your house...

with the money from your upcoming civil-rights case.

[porphyrian]

16. I guess you'll have to weigh how bad you want what you want...

...with how much of a hassle staying there will be. Suck it up and kowtow to the boss or put your plans on hold and get another job where it isn't an issue. Good luck on whatever you decide.

[librechik]

15. the latest I heard is that the Faith Based groups are allowed to discriminate

even tho it is obviously uncontitutional. Ball is in our court (Judges belong to them)

Serve!

[beyurslf]

17. Maybe that law needs changed?

[librechik]

22. mmm-yeah--something else the dems will have to do in 08

if all goes our way...

[guitar man]

18. do you work for a ministry?

or another faith based tax exempt group? If so, they may be withtin their rights to ask this of you.

If not, they may be violating the law.

[aikoaiko]

19. I'd look for a new job unless you otherwise find the work very satisfying.

[seabeyond]

20. absolutely much more defined. so, what are you going to do n/t

[beyurslf]

21. I don't know. From what I see on the net it looks like it is perfectly legal

for them to all of a sudden say I have to be a Christian. I don't know if I can do it.

[seabeyond]

23. i find this an interesting dilemma and would be interested in knowing

how you handle it. i live in the religious belt. i am from calif and had never experienced this in my life, but i put kids into a christian school for 6 years and wow... did i learn a lot with these people. it was also at a time whne religious fundamentalist raised its ugly head, so i got to see a nice people transform themselves to self righteousness and hate. anyway, in my experience i was able to wak outside of their box in grace. i was able to express my views. and by the time i pulled the kids out of the school they were so sad ad distraught to lose us peagans because though i did not walk their christian line, i did live christian values, as did my kids, above and beyond what was happening at the school. and they recognized it. stating my boys were exactly what they were looking for in the school with the christian word. that was missing. i tried to explain the hate they promote in the name of the lord was not going to allow them to have that peace in christ they were wanting. so much so, was breaking boys heart and we were going to have to go, because my boys felt strongly about it.