So there's this forum...

[whatever]

STL Today, and I posted a response to a story about a women who had been fired because she invited a lesbian employee in her charge to church, and church meetings, and other things.

Rick, I don't know if you saw what I posted on this or not, because after everything I'd written was passed over like an annoyance, I just went sheeeez and took it off. Goodness, one person give a credible response (actually it was two people or more, mine was just the longest) and nothing back.

I read what you wrote, and can't exactly argue. I qualified my example with the military. It still migh be wrong, I'm not as good and unselfish with this issue. I am weak!

want to share it here though. I wittled it down tons to try to keep it sensible. Maybe it won't blow the 1000 character limit, or whatever the limit is I have a habit of going over
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forums.stltoday.com/viewtopic.php?t=152857&start=0

Certainly, the company didn't want an employee dumb enough to do things like that and get them sued, in any case.

It's all about equality. Is my judgment on religious right and wrong as important and worth as much...in the eyes of the law...as yours?

It’s a yes or no question.

Illegal acts against other people, such as murder, are already against the law. So, barring any invalid examples such as satanic cults which already break the law, are we on equal footing? Does it matter which religion is the "majority" religion? And does it matter what the religion is?

If non-Christians are free to practice their non-Christian beliefs, no one, no coworker, has the right to imply that person has a “problem” that needs “fixing” due to those beliefs. That's what the gal did. What she either said, or clearly implied by the invitation, is "There's something wrong with you." It could just as easily have been a racial slur. Yes it can have a negative impact on performance. Nothing good could come of that.

It’s similar to being judged on the job if you’re in a non-typical for your gender type position. I didn't much like it that on the flight line. Being treated on the job as if you just aren't good enough, not a good enough person or not able, to do the job. Some mechanics would give me an attitude...just for standing there. On sight. Just for being there, a women, I got attitude. Think about what a pressure that is, to have that kind of blanket judgment - on the job. Every day. Anyone who sees you, and most people are NOT in the same group you're in that causes this. Causes this extreme difference that others pick up on so quickly, you don't even notice it happening anymore.

Ha…and some people wonder why gays/gay culture are/is so sensitive sometimes. Oh, gee, I don’t know, maybe because you’re only the 5 billionth person to invite me to go to church?

I can’t imagine, and don’t want to, what kind of comments I would have gotten had the guys felt free and easy to express their belief I shouldn't really be there? And but, without some kind of legal intervention, I wouldn't have been there. For the military, at least, I don't think that’s necessarily a bad thing. Racism was handled the same way, and the military was actually on the leading edge of that. None of it's perfect, but it feels very, very good to have a leg to stand on.

[outgirl]

Hey this happened to me too only a little more severe. I worked with this resp. therarist who was a very conservative born again Christian. Now it was a small unit and we worked long nights together so we used to talk a lot. She shared her views on homosexuality and I shared mine. It was cool for a while but then I guess she got frustrated with my lack of repentance so she stepped up her game. In the mornings before I would leave, she would drop a little note in my pocket or bag. Always a bible verse about how homosexuality is a sin. At first it didn't really bother me. I felt like her convictions were real and oh well, a little prayer couldn't hurt. Then it got worse. She got into Leviticus and all the verse that said that homosexuality should be punishable by death. That started to creep me out so I asked her to stop which she did not. I saved them all in case I really had to make an issue of it but I handled it on my own. The worst part was that during this time, another resp. therapist was fired for making too many sexual comments regarding his sexuality. He was gay. Now he was definately innappropriate but so was she. I probably should have gone to management about it but didn't really want her in trouble. This shit went on for like 5yrs though. I would bring these home and show my girlfriend and she would freak out. And your right whatever, people think we're overly sensitive but after years of this shit, you do kind of reach a breaking point.

[n2nsites]

Happens everywhere, in different forms. I had a screensaver of floating skulls and the reborn receptionist complained it was Satanic and offended her. I countered with her daily email from scripture bothered me and her daily affirmations screensaver offended me. What a mess. In the end, boss asked me to back off, because I was the mature one and should show consideration. Hah.
Mature? I started sending her quotes from the Tao Te Ching. ;D

[whatever]

outgirl said:

Hey this happened to me too only a little more severe. I worked with this resp. therarist who was a very conservative born again Christian. Now it was a small unit and we worked long nights together so we used to talk a lot. She shared her views on homosexuality and I shared mine. It was cool for a while but then I guess she got frustrated with my lack of repentance so she stepped up her game. In the mornings before I would leave, she would drop a little note in my pocket or bag. Always a bible verse about how homosexuality is a sin. At first it didn't really bother me. I felt like her convictions were real and oh well, a little prayer couldn't hurt. Then it got worse. She got into Leviticus and all the verse that said that homosexuality should be punishable by death. That started to creep me out so I asked her to stop which she did not. I saved them all in case I really had to make an issue of it but I handled it on my own. The worst part was that during this time, another resp. therapist was fired for making too many sexual comments regarding his sexuality. He was gay. Now he was definately innappropriate but so was she. I probably should have gone to management about it but didn't really want her in trouble. This shit went on for like 5yrs though. I would bring these home and show my girlfriend and she would freak out. And your right whatever, people think we're overly sensitive but after years of this shit, you do kind of reach a breaking point.

Yeah, I think that's something many people, espeically guys (present company excepted of course) don't realize; most "victims" of sexual or racial discriminations never turn in offenders. I had a boss tell me I shouldn't work on the flight light, and other things that I could have easily said was offensive enough to complain about. I never saw a need to, although in retrospect I owed it to those following me to do something.

I think my tactic was to be too stubborn to turn anyone in, not to be intimidated and not to go away.

And I'm fully aware that the differences between the discrimination between women from men, as opposed to against homosexuals, is a large component of hate. And through it all,every friggin victim is supposed to be so calm and reasonable and perfect about every damn thing. So dumbass.

Well there go the kids with the hourly alarm of who's doing what to whom and who'd bleeding...is it a kid I can send to their room or a neighbor kid I can't...

Wasn't done dang it

outgirl, I'm sorry that happened to you, but it's no surprise for sure. Then, isn't it the funniest thing when a Christian individual confronts you with their belief you're "wrong"...and wonder why you'd get exasperated? Just have to laugh. Then they think you're the one being thoughtless and rude. Save me...

[outgirl]

whatever said:

If non-Christians are free to practice their non-Christian beliefs, no one, no coworker, has the right to imply that person has a “problem” that needs “fixing” due to those beliefs. That's what the gal did. What she either said, or clearly implied by the invitation, is "There's something wrong with you." It could just as easily have been a racial slur. Yes it can have a negative impact on performance. Nothing good could come of that.

It’s similar to being judged on the job if you’re in a non-typical for your gender type position. I didn't much like it that on the flight line. Being treated on the job as if you just aren't good enough, not a good enough person or not able, to do the job. Some mechanics would give me an attitude...just for standing there. On sight. Just for being there, a women, I got attitude. Think about what a pressure that is, to have that kind of blanket judgment - on the job. Every day. Anyone who sees you, and most people are NOT in the same group you're in that causes this. Causes this extreme difference that others pick up on so quickly, you don't even notice it happening anymore.


I can’t imagine, and don’t want to, what kind of comments I would have gotten had the guys felt free and easy to express their belief I shouldn't really be there? And but, without some kind of legal intervention, I wouldn't have been there. For the military, at least, I don't think that’s necessarily a bad thing. Racism was handled the same way, and the military was actually on the leading edge of that. None of it's perfect, but it feels very, very good to have a leg to stand on.

This is why I believe strongly in anti discrimination laws. America was founded on the principle of freedom from persecution. Anti hate legislation makes the statement that that is not acceptable and will not be tolerated in the workplace. I believe that freedom from persecution comes before the freedom to hired or fire indicriminately and act like a bigot because it's your right. This is where I differ with the Libs and it's a huge difference in ideology.