Recently, whenver I’ve been in the teachers’ lounge, two vociferously anti-Christian, anti-Catholic female coworkers, without the slightest provocation, launch into verbal attacks against the Catholic Church. I’m certain I’m the target, since they’ve seen me reading my Bible at times, and know I’m decidedly religious. These two are radical feminists and secular progressives. Meanwhile, my boss, whose sentiments are close to theirs, sits idly by, snickering. I eventually have to ask them to change the subject, which they reluctantly do. I’m getting sick of it. I’m sure it’s against some workplace regulation. Should I remain silent and demand that these topics not be discussed, in the context of workplace rules and regulations, or should I tactfully fight back, defending the faith as best I can? I’m confused, angry and frustrated.
As a Principal I can see a problem here. If you are reding the Bible in the teacher’s lounge the argument can be made that others have the same right as you have to express their religious beliefs.
If this is a public school, you’ll never win the argument, unless they are talking to you. The conversation is between them. They have the right to say whatever they want about the Church or the government etc. They do not have the right to harass you. But it is not harassment, unless you can prove that they are speaking to you or about you. I’m not agreeing with them. I’m simply stating the rules.
If this is a private school it becomes even more complicated. Private schools do not have the same strict regulations about matters such as religious freedom. A private school Principal can order you to put away your bible while in school as well as prohibit the discussion of politics, religion and anything else he wants to in public places.
In my school the policy is simple. Religions, politics, sexuality, salaries and private family matters may never be discussed in public. There is not public display of any of the above allowed. Staff membes may wear a religious symbol, such as a cross or a Star of David, as long as it’s discrete. The dress code is specific that it can’t be more than 3/4 in and must not present a distraction. It is up to the Principal’s discretion if it presents a distraction.
Teachers may have bibles and other holy books, but they may never be displayed publicly. They are for private reading. A teacher may read his Torah, Quran or Bible in the staff lounge as they read any other book, but may not use the staff lounge to discuss religion or politics. Any personal reading must be during the teacher’s free time, never during a planning period.
My point is that you have to make sure what the rules of engagement are in your school system or your private school. You can’t accuse someone of harassment, because you’re offended if they are not speaking to you, unless you can prove that you are the target. That’s not easy to prove.
I would read my bible in a private setting, such as in my classroom when I’m alone. This way you get the benefit of the reading your bible in peace.
If someone asks you a question about your faith, there is nothing illegal about responding, unless the staff handbook says that such topics are banned in the school. Again, some private schools do bann such topics to avoid conflicts among their employees.
I do not allow my staff do discuss the candidates in the coming elections. They may discuss them outside, in the privacy of their classroom when no students are around or anywhere else, except common areas. The same applies to religion. If two people want to discuss religion, they must move to a place where the conversation is between them, out of hearing from the students, parents or other faculty members.
This does not include simple question and answer type conversations about religioius or political topics. These are allowed at any time, because no one is under attack. This is just sharing information.
Again, my suggestion, if you can read your bible in a private place where you’ll be at peace, I would go that route. It’s difficult to prove harassmment if no one is speaking to you directly. They can aruge that everyone has the same right as you do to freely express their religious beliefs.
Hope this helps. If I can be of futher help, just PM me.
Fraternally,
JR
