Persecution at Work

[PaulinVA]

As a fellow Catholic why are you asking such a question? Do you want to see our religious liberties curtailed or eliminated merely because you say we don’t have to do something. Rights aren’t about having to do anything but about the freedom to do what we believe is proper for us to do.

No, I want to see if people have sound reasoning as to why wearing a miraculous medal in the workplace should be allowed. If your only argument is you can can because you say you can, who can you convince with that?

As to rights. Of course she has the right–as a citizen of the USA, and as a Catholic, to wear any religious symbol anywhere she pleases. That’s where she gets the right.

Well, actually, I was looking for something more concrete, like laws and regulations. How about this? I did a quick Google search.

eeoc.gov/eeoc/publications/qa_religious_garb_grooming.cfm

Religious Garb and Grooming in the Workplace: Rights and Responsibilities

This publication by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) answers questions about how federal employment discrimination law applies to religious dress and grooming practices, and what steps employers can take to meet their legal responsibilities in this area.

Examples of religious dress and grooming practices include wearing religious clothing or articles (e.g., a Muslim hijab (headscarf), a Sikh turban, or a Christian cross); observing a religious prohibition against wearing certain garments (e.g., a Muslim, Pentecostal Christian, or Orthodox Jewish woman’s practice of not wearing pants or short skirts), or adhering to shaving or hair length observances (e.g., Sikh uncut hair and beard, Rastafarian dreadlocks, or Jewish peyes (sidelocks)).

In most instances, employers are required by federal law to make exceptions to their usual rules or preferences to permit applicants and employees to observe religious dress and grooming practices.

 

[jmcrae]

No, I want to see if people have sound reasoning as to why wearing a miraculous medal in the workplace should be allowed. If your only argument is you can can because you say you can, who can you convince with that?

We shouldn’t have to need laws and regulations for every single thing.

If it doesn’t present a safety hazard, and doesn’t have any offensive slogans printed on it that can be seen by a customer, then who can tell you not to wear it? If others can wear religious tokens and symbols then so can we.

 

[Tim_D]

No, I want to see if people have sound reasoning as to why wearing a miraculous medal in the workplace should be allowed.

I think you got your answer!

Its all emotion, not intellect.

 

[Horton]

I wear a large cross on a long chain and a crucifix, my saint medal, and a medal of the Blessed Mother on a shorter chain. The long one I wear under my clothing always and the shorter on outside my clothing. The only time these come off is for medical procedures when necessary.

When I was still working I wore them both as described above. No employer was going to tell me I couldn’t. Prior to my retirement I had a new boss who hated Catholics (his ex-wife was Catholic), and he attempted to persecute me for my faith. He attempted to change my working conditions without a valid need for the change, only the desire to impact my life in a negative way. I stayed true to my faith and retired early rather than allow his persecution.

Ironically the man was recently terminated from his for using his employment email to set up an Ashley Madison account.

 

[Della]

I think you got your answer!

Its all emotion, not intellect.

Nonsense. We cited the CCC and the US Constitution and the fact that we ought to be witnesses for Christ. I see no emotional explanations in any of that. Still, emotional reasons aren’t bad as long as they aren’t the primary ones or the only ones. Law and order aren’t based on intellect alone, but on morality, rights, and people’s need to be free to express themselves.

 

[vz71]

Just a question. Why do you think you have a right to wear a religious medal at work?

They cannot expressly forbid the wearing of a religious medal any more then forbid Muslim headresses.

In absence of restrictions, freedom.

 

[Zoltan_Cobalt]

Here is a different take…

I managed a large upscale furniture store some years ago. All the sales people worked on straight commission. They all did pretty well (average earnings were in the low six figures) My top saleswoman was Jewish and always wore a tasteful version of the star of David.

One day my number two sales lady asked me if there was a company policy against wearing a Crucifix. I told her no. She could wear any religious jewelry she wanted. However I told her that it would be a bad idea. Our clientele was primarily wealthy Jewish families and not all, but some, would rather be served by one of their own. Why lose a sale? She agreed.

 

[Della]

Here is a different take…

I managed a large upscale furniture store some years ago. All the sales people worked on straight commission. They all did pretty well (average earnings were in the low six figures) My top saleswoman was Jewish and always wore a tasteful version of the star of David.

One day my number two sales lady asked me if there was a company policy against wearing a Crucifix. I told her no. She could wear any religious jewelry she wanted. However I told her that it would be a bad idea. Our clientele was primarily wealthy Jewish families and not all, but some, would rather be served by one of their own. Why lose a sale? She agreed.

Actually though, I think it’s the same situation. You didn’t order her to do anything. You left it up to her discretion considering the clientele and the fact that she worked on commission. She still had the freedom to wear her crucifix or not, just as she saw fit. I would have thought a tasteful crucifix, not too large or garish would be fine because her clientele surely wouldn’t expect everyone to be Jewish who served them. Still, the decision was hers to make, and that is the whole point, as I see it.

 

[CaptFun]

Important update: I was called to my manager’s office this morning and he told me that according to the organization’s human resources, I am permitted to wear the Miraculous Medal. What an immense victory for Our Heavenly Father! May Our Blessed Mother crush the head of the evil one and lead unbelievers to her son, Our Lord Jesus Christ. Deo Gratias!

AND you did stand strong in both your compliance (rendering unto Caesar) in the first place and your later witness. As it turns out the controversy called people’s attention to the Miraculous Medal, the question of PC bullying, unified believers of different stripes against a secular power play and probably has made your place of work a better place TO work!

I was about to suggest, if they brought up your mere wearing of the medal, again … that you respond by enthusiastically… explaining why it was good that you wear it!

“You don’t understand … but since everyone is so interested in what this medal means … I’m happy to take time out from my duties to share with you the promises made by our blessed Mother to St. Catherine Laboure …”.

The demons that are provoking the attack might possibly then flee – and take their unwitting functionaries with them.

I must remember these incidents in case something similar happens to me on the job.

Thanks

 

[adamhovey1988]

Yesterday at work, I was told by my assistant manager to remove the Miraculous Medal that I have been wearing since it violates the organization’s policy. I obeyed her request, but when I consulted the employee handbook it did not say anything about forbidding workers from wearing any religious symbols. It only stated that employees are forbidden to wear t-shirts with slogans, images, or words that contain sexually explicit, political, or religious themes. But according to her, a religious medal falls into that category. I should even point out that there are many Muslim workers who wear the hijab and have a special place to pray in the break room (“equality” at its finest). Nevertheless, I showed up to work today with the medal and was again told to remove it, this time by my manager and his supervisor. I adamantly argued that it was my right to wear the medal and that the employee handbook does not prohibit the wearing of religious symbols. I also added that I am not here to evangelize or convert anyone and I keep my beliefs to myself. I even asked them why they allow the hijab and a Muslim prayer space at work but I’m not allowed to wear my medal. They told me that the Muslims pray during their break time and can do whatever they want during their break, which for some reason to them is acceptable and does not violate the organization’s policy. This whole ordeal left me angry, upset, and with lots of tears. It was the first time I cried in front of my co workers.

Surprisingly, I received much support from two assistant managers, who happen to be Muslims by the way, and other fellow co-workers. My colleague, who is a practising Buddhist, gave me lots of words of support. She told me to stand firm for my Catholic faith, even to the point of death, and to pray for strength in times of persecution.

When I think about what I went through today, I am very thankful that the form of persecution that I endured was nothing compared to what our fellow brothers and sisters are going through at the hands of ISIS. I pray that Our Lord, through the intercession of Our Blessed Mother, would give us all the grace of a firm faith, especially at times of persecution.

I don’t have a problem with enforcing company policy but as you pointed out they targeted you specifically

 

[Kal2012]

This is why people should be able to wear their religious medals and cruxifics.

Amendment I
**Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, **or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

It’s in the Constitution. Read it and Live it. Liberty isn’t something the government (or your employer) gives you. It’s inherent in every human being.

Despite the recent idea that people should check their religion at the door when they enter public spaces, that isn’t how people actually live their lives.

You don’t stop being male or female once you leave the house. You don’t stop being whatever race or ethnicity you are once you leave the house. You don’t give up your culture either.

I’m not a secularist, nor will I pretend to be one.

Look, the Holy Spirit dwells in our bodies - and it’s not like He cares whether or not it’s working hours or not. He’s going to show the love of God whenever he feels like it. Not whether some HR rep gives Him permission. That’s not a Christian or Catholic belief and we shouldn’t act like it is. If you have a personal relationship with Jesus and know God, then this is really a no-brainer.

You just don’t turn God off because you clock into work or lock the door to your house. God is always with you and actively works in our lives - and through us - regardless if it’s the public or private sector. That’s why it’s important to be a good witness for Christ, regardless of the situation.

So, please Wake up! We don’t need permission to express our faith! It’s not like OP was evangelizing (and being a total jerk about it!) on work time. OP was just wearing a medal. Like the Muslim women wear their hijabs. All of us are allowed to have our symbols of faith and religious accommodations.

The only reason this is even a problem is because Leftists are more interested in secularizing America than defending people’s rights (though they talk a good game about rights). It’s easier to go after the Christians because we “turn the other cheek” instead of shooting people (and blowing things up) like the radical Islamists do. A lot of people just expect Christians to “go along to get along” when they are told not to express themselves and that’s just stupid. We are just as entitled to wear our religious symbols as any other group.

Like one of the earlier posters said, if you still have issues, then sue. It’s in the Constitution that we have freedom of religious expression. Just because other people are offended - that’s on them, not you. It’s really that simple.

Praise be to God that you are able to wear your medal.

 

[jmjZelie]

I have worn my Miraculous Medal nonstop for years now, and I have never given much thought to how much my medal means to me, until I read your story. I cannot imagine being told to remove it. Thank you for sharing your story. I am glad to see your update that your employer will now allow you your freedom to wear it. The Miraculous Medal is an incredibly powerful devotion to The Blessed Virgin Mary.

 

[teeboy]

Just a question. Why do you think you have a right to wear a religious medal at work?

There are federal and state laws that prohibit religious discrimination against employees or in the hiring process.