Conscientious Objection to Sexual Diversity

[Neri05]

I’m wondering if anyone has mounted a successful defense against employer-mandated sexual diversity training on religious grounds. At first I just had to tolerate homosexuality, lesbianism, etc., but now I may be required to “celebrate” it. I can only guess that celebrate means embrace, enthusiastically support, etc. The thought of it makes me ill, and it’s no doubt a mortal sin. I cannot do it, but I don’t want to lose my job either. I’m thinking about playing the “conscientious objector” card, but worry that it will backfire. Any words of wisdom?

 

[1ke]

Talk to a lawyer. Contact one of the law firms that specialize in these things-- The American Center for Law And Justice and the Thomas More Society come to mind as law firms specializing in defending Christians and their Constitutional rights.

How “sexual orientation” is treated under the law varies from state to state, but forcing employees to “celebrate” homosexuality seems like it would not fall under legal protections against discrimination.

 

[Maxply]

I hate to say this, but. . . you just may have a point!

The problem right now is that this is new ground, and difficult to tread. You would be among those first setting the precedent, so it would be difficult.

But once the precedent is set, all that brainwashing stuff may end up being on more tenuous ground.

 

[JimG]

I remember when we first had “diversity training.” The facilitator asked everyone to state 3 threads of their personal history which influenced who they are today. I didn’t think of it at the time, but later it occured to me that my answer should have been: "Greek, Roman, Judeo-Christian–I’m a product of Western Civilization.

But that’s exactly what they didn’t want to hear.

 

[Writer]

I’m wondering if anyone has mounted a successful defense against employer-mandated sexual diversity training on religious grounds. At first I just had to tolerate homosexuality, lesbianism, etc., but now I may be required to “celebrate” it. I can only guess that celebrate means embrace, enthusiastically support, etc. The thought of it makes me ill, and it’s no doubt a mortal sin. I cannot do it, but I don’t want to lose my job either. I’m thinking about playing the “conscientious objector” card, but worry that it will backfire. Any words of wisdom?

I have approached concerns regarding elements of “The Secret” being taught in office training situations and had success getting them entirely removed. Sometimes governmental agencies can be reasoned with, but I am not sure on your particular situation. I think I may have made an objection at another govt position early in my career regarding a similar situation, but I don’t recall too many specifics. Try a meeting with a manager with whom you share a conservative mindset, if possible. It sometimes helps to not be alone in the situations.

If that doesn’t work, try politely explaining that the “celebration” of lifestyles with which you disagree on religious grounds is offensive to your beliefs. You may happily and courteously work with those persons, but “celebration” is going too far. After all, would they like to join you in “celebrating” what it means to be a conservative Catholic? If not, try to perhaps convince them of the double standard and hypocrisy in their own views. They are asking you to be hypocritical in order that their own political and social views can be paraded around in a good light, and this is blatantly unfiar to your own rights as an individual.

 

[Newbie2]

Tell then that you are unable to tell whether someone is homo- or heterosexual merely by looking at them, that you making such an inquiry would be sexual harrassment, and that you are not interested in homosexual activity, thank you very much and don’t wish to be trained in such.

Furthermore, the only way that you would know if someone else was a homosexual was if they told you, and you wish not to know about such private information about your fellow employees.

Furthermore, any training which involves the discussion of such private matters or of the endorsement of homosexuality is against your Catholic Christian religion, and that forcing any employees to go against their religious practice will end up in a messy, expenive lawsuit for religious harrassment. Put it in writing. And while you’re at it, ask when the religious tolerance seminars are scheduled.

 

[Dale_M]

Here is one case relating to the topic.

Anti-Gay Worker Who Violates Diversity Policy May Be Fired
Two points leap out from the article. First, the case went to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals - you should probably consider who will be passing judgement on your case.

The second point is that Mr. Petersen stated that his intent was to be hurtful of feelings. From the article, it appears that he displayed a regrettable lack of tact. Stridency, and perhaps pride, brought him down.

I seem to recall another case, of an employee sending out emails to his co-workers protesting sexual diversity training. I can’t find the case, so I am not sure of the particulars, but I seem to recall that it didn’t end well for him either.

 

[Dale_M]

Furthermore, the only way that you would know if someone else was a homosexual was if they told you, and you wish not to know about such private information about your fellow employees.

I am not sure that would wash, since employees regularly discuss their family or who they are dating. Heterosexuals and homosexuals both do, and both should expect similar reception.

the endorsement of homosexuality is against your Catholic Christian religion, and that forcing any employees to go against their religious practice will end up in a messy, expenive lawsuit for religious harrassment. Put it in writing. And while you’re at it, ask when the religious tolerance seminars are scheduled.

Very confrontational. I wouldn’t recommend it, since it could poison your work environment and possibly affect your future employment prospects. But if someone does choose that path they should probably work it out with their attorney ahead of time.

 

[Maxply]

I’m not a lawyer or familiar with cases in this area. But it seems to me that Christians ARE getting attacked for their beliefs, and that now is a good time to protect freedom of conscience. . . in other words, if homosexuality is something against one’s religious convictions, it makes sense to try to strategize against this forced indoctrination stuff.

In a similar way, parents of school aged children protest similar indoctrinations.

 

[drafdog]

So you somehow have formed the idea that it is all right to insult God by not celebrating the whole of His creation. How exactly is that Catholic?

Matthew

 

[puzzleannie]

I’m wondering if anyone has mounted a successful defense against employer-mandated sexual diversity training on religious grounds. ?

If it were offered in a company I worked for I would protest and make a sexual harrassment charge against the company for forcing me to endure such an indoctrination which by definition would include sexually explicit material and be imposed by force.

the rule for opposing such a program would be the same as in any other situation where a company policy violates your rights: documentation, go through proper channels in the proper order, and confine your complaint to policies or actions that specifically impede your rights as an employee, and leave emotion and religion out of it.

 

[rwoehmke]

A lot depends on what one means by the word “celebrate.” I am sure that when we had diversity training on different races and women coming into the work force that there were people with troubled minds/consciences. If “celebrate” falls short of having to partake in a homosexual “menage a trois” I would recommend keeping your yap shut and take away whatever good you might derive from such training. I hardly think they will train you in the fine art of “fisting.” Not all people with same sex attraction are sexually active homosexuals and even if they are they are still human beings.

 

[Dale_M]

such an indoctrination which by definition would include sexually explicit material

I’ve never undergone a sexual diversity training, so I guess I am clueless, but why would sexually explicit material be included?

 

[hasikelee]

Put a big, huge, happy smile on your face and talk with a positive, assumptive attitude.

Oh, that’s awesome Mr. Branch Manager I am so happy we are tolerant of everyone’s beliefs. After we are done with our Happy Homosexual day, I would definitely accept the offer to organize the Catholic Conference. Of course, I understand from the memo on the homosexual celebration that these meetings are mandatory, so I would leave the responsibility of telling everyone to come to the Catholic Conference up to you. I am proud to work for such a tolerant and diverse company!

 

[hasikelee]

I just wanted to add that we should all strive to make connections, network and bring people together at our workplace.

Perhaps the beliefs of actions of a person are offensive to us and we feel that person gets special attention. I wonder how many times this is due to the particular group or individual’s hard work…not just from sympathetic businesses.

Case in point, when I first began working for my company, I noticed a pretty prochoice environment, with many of the volunteer activities and charity funds going to stuanchly pro-abortion organizations.

All I did was treat the “leaders” of the volunteer department with respect, get on the volunteer team, and present a few ideas in a nonconfrontational, unbiased way. Now, our store does several pro-woman, pro-family, pro-life activities. Furthermore, the support and cooperation company-wide has expanded ten-fold, as these activities find accord with a lot of people in the company.

Sometimes you see something being done simply because someone, somewhere, asked for it.

 

[Newbie2]

I am not sure that would wash, since employees regularly discuss their family or who they are dating. Heterosexuals and homosexuals both do, and both should expect similar reception.

Very confrontational. I wouldn’t recommend it, since it could poison your work environment and possibly affect your future employment prospects. But if someone does choose that path they should probably work it out with their attorney ahead of time.

I guess it also depends on one’s personality as to how one should respond to such a situation. Personally, I’d take it as a challenge. But, since I own my own company…