Is your Catholicism an obstacle?

[JulianN]

One place I applied would not consider my application because I said I was Catholic. It was a community service agency position for which I thought I was very well suited, managed by a supposedly non-denominational ministry but they said I had to stop being Catholic.

Sorry—I was conflating your hypothetical list with this example from another poster. The comments stand—just this part was from a more concrete example. My apology.

 

[GospelOfMatthew]

I go to a Catholic college and even there I hear some anti-Catholic sentiments sometimes, usually revolve around the priest sexual abuse scandals. I wear a Crucifix and Miraculous Medal on the outside of all my clothing everyday because I am not ashamed of my faith.

Not that I am pushing it on anyone, absolutely not. But we all crucify Jesus by our sins and these religious items helps me to remember what true love is, Jesus sacrificially dying on the cross. If I have an opportunity to stick up for my faith I try and do so because I know in my sinful ways I have failed to do so many many times

 

[7_Sorrows]

I know some friends judge me when I say I don’t approve of same sex marriage or that I think Planned Parenthood should be closed down and abortion is wrong.

 

[rcwitness]

All the time. Everything from anti-Catholic advice and criticism from Catholics themselves (even clergy) to being spit in the face by a non-Christian.

I think the passive aggressive behavior is the worst, or most harmful.

 

[Tis_Bearself]

Have you or anyone you know experienced discrimination or ostracism for identifying as Catholic or expressing views consistent with Catholic orthodoxy?

Yeah, my mother ran into that a lot, and I did to some extent. Some US Protestants don’t like Catholics, and some atheists and agnostics don’t like Christians of any type, or religious people generally. Also, some people think the Catholic Church is oppressive to women and/or gay people, or think it’s full of child molesters, or that the bishops and Pope are too rich, and will bash Catholics because of that.

Also, do you feel that you need to conceal your Catholic views or identity in the workplace, or socially, to get along with people?

I’ve never felt a need to “conceal my Catholic identity” in USA (maybe if I’m in some Muslim country I’d say differently for safety reasons). If asked, I will say I’m Catholic. I will also wear a Catholic crucifix or medal if I feel like it, I have a Catholic tattoo on my arm, and on Ash Wednesday I make a point of not washing the ashes off (although that’s becoming less identified with Catholics now that many Protestant ministers are handing out ashes at places like commuter train stations).

With respect to “conceal my Catholic views”, when I am at work, I am there to work, not discuss my faith or anyone else’s. It is not the time or place for any of us to be discussing our religious views, since I’m not employed by a religious company or one that has to take religion into account for business reasons. If someone wanted to have such a discussion at work, I’d probably politely remove myself from it. I also don’t want or expect to hear their views from the perspective of whatever their religion is or from a non-religious standpoint. I would consider that bad manners as well as risking a policy violation or even a lawsuit. Whole topic is best left at the door when you enter the office or the online meeting.

Socially, I don’t talk much about religious beliefs. I do tell people from time to time that I am praying or going to church, or I post something Catholic on my social media, and my friends all know I am Catholic and they don’t have a problem with it, whether or not they agree. If someone wants to have a friendly religious discussion, I’m happy to have one. I actually have one friend who’s an atheist who does like to talk about religion sometimes in a calm manner. But I am not going to go around shoving the topic on people unless I need to tell them to stop being disrespectful to my faith, which is pretty rare because I choose respectful people as my friends.

 

[Lee1]

‘Is your Catholicism an obstacle?’

No, it’s the freeway to heaven!

The world is an obstacle.

 

[Tis_Bearself]

Not getting a job for which you are qualified, because you are Catholic
Being bypassed for promotion for religious reasons
Being told not to wear religious symbols, when you share office space with a veiled Muslim
Being told you can’t have a Christmas party at work, etc

In USA, the first three things are regulated by law, so a Catholic in those situations could probably sue on the first two and at least find out what the law is on the third depending on what clothing item or jewelry item you wanted to wear. As for “Christmas party”, workplaces usually call it a “Holiday party” so they can invite everybody to join regardless of religion or lack thereof. I don’t see that as a big deal as long as they aren’t banning trees, candy canes and Santa.

 

[Tis_Bearself]

If Jesus had wished to not die, he didn’t need a lawyer to accomplish that. He could have just struck all his enemies dead on the spot.

It might be better if you didn’t use Jesus to make sarcastic or jesting points. Seems a bit disrespectful to me.

 

[rcwitness]

Not exactly. It was unlawful for Rome to prosecute Him.

St Paul didn’t rely on a lawyer either.

But I’m not saying it’s always wrong to rely on a secular lawyer.

And Jesus did not “want to die” rather He was willing to die.

 

[poche]

When I was a child there was a girl in my class who was having a birthday party. All of the students were invited. It was to be at the skating rink that was owned by her family. However the month before her birthday she made an announcement. she said that her father considers all Catholics to be like black people and as her father was a believer in racial segregation, I would not be allowed into the skating rink. I was called all the bad words that black people have been called. This is sometimes what it is like to be Catholic from where I live.

 

[JulianN]

Not exactly. It was unlawful for Rome to prosecute Him.

How do you figure?

 

[TheLittleLady]

Have you or anyone you know experienced discrimination or ostracism for identifying as Catholic

No

expressing views consistent with Catholic orthodoxy?

Please define, give me a “for example”.

Also, do you feel that you need to conceal your Catholic views or identity in the workplace, or socially, to get along with people?

No

Edit to answer:

Not getting a job for which you are qualified, because you are Catholic
Being bypassed for promotion for religious reasons

Both of these are against both federal and state laws. I’ve never worked for anyone who would break these laws.

Being told not to wear religious symbols, when you share office space with a veiled Muslim

Every business is allowed to set a dress code. If the dress code allows head coverings/hats but does not allow jewelry, that is not some sort of religious persecution.

Being told you can’t have a Christmas party at work, etc

Speaking for the US, I’ve employing companies that hold “Holiday Parties” and others that call them “Christmas Parties”. I prefer the term “Holiday” because it emphasizes all of the Holy Days that come this time of year.

The title of the party is not some sort of persecution, I for one would be thankful that my employer can afford to give a party. This year my office cannot afford a party.

 

[rcwitness]

With respect, how do you figure Rome lawfully crucified Him?

He explained to Pilate the nature of His kingship. It was NOT of this world. He assured Pilate He was not claiming to be a king of this world.

Jesus was wrongfully tried by both the Sanhedrin and Rome.

 

[rcwitness]

Acts 5:41

Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.

 

[JulianN]

You said it was unlawful for Rome to prosecute him. Rome made the laws.

 

[rcwitness]

And they broke their own law, just like the Sanhedrin did.

Pilate himself said he found Him to be innocent.

 

[JulianN]

But you didn’t say “convict”, you said “prosecute.” That is within their purview.

 

[rcwitness]

Well I admit I’m not sure what the difference would be.

They were certainly able to crucify Him, as was evident by the fact that they did it. But it was not lawful, since He did not break their law.

Jesus answered, “My kingship is not of this world; if my kingship were of this world, my servants would fight, that I might not be handed over to the Jews; but my kingship is not from the world.” Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king."

… Pilate, "I find no crime in Him."

 

[JulianN]

Prosecuting him is bringing him to trial. Even in the U.S., one can be lawfully tried for something for which you are innocent.

 

[rcwitness]

Ok. I’ll take your word on that. Or rather, I see what you mean.

He was wrongfully convicted. And had he been represented, He may have been able to avoid conviction.

Either way, He was wrongfully brought to court. The charges were invalid.