Forum Thread: "How To Prevent Being "Under Fire""

I found a really good article on how to handle a situation in which you either want to come out of the "broom closet" or are some how outed. It's well written.

It can be found here: "How to Prevent Being "Under Fire""

Now, there's one issue a member of this forum raises. An assumption made by fellow co-workers that an individual is not Christian because they failed to participate in daily prayers (one, it shouldn't be made mandatory because unless it's a religious organization, religion should remain out of the work place), and an attempt at conversion. How does one deal with this situation.

Well, it's fairly simple. First (in a professional manner, not ranting and raving) you inform the employer that it's against the law to force your employees to participate in religious actions. Second, inform them that attempts at conversion is considered harassment and they can be put up on charges should it continue.

This isn't a case where the victim is to blame. This is a situation in which the victim needs to stand firm on their rights under the Constitution or Charter and KNOW their rights and enact them. While you may fear repercussions for filing a complaint, what's worse...being continually harassed to the point in which you need to quit your job (and the employer wins their harassment), or stopping the problem in it's tracks and preventing a similar issue being done to someone else.

If it's illegal for an employer to ask you your religion in an interview, it's illegal for them to harass you for lack of conformity to the popular religious belief in the work place during the course of your employment.

If you have an issue like this...research your rights under the Constitution or Charter of Rights and Freedoms, research the laws, and make copies to give to your employer. Make a report, and keep a copy, and if it continues, bring up with the employer the possibility of charges being made.

You can't bow down and conform if you're really true to your beliefs. If it really bothers you, do something about it. Don't complain!

Yes, I wear a Pentacle, and I'm Not Ashamed of it.

People wear various symbols of their faith for whatever reason. Some people wear crosses, some people wear Ankh's, some people wear Tree's of Life, and some people wear Pentacles.

I am one of the people who wears Pentacles. I don't wear it to be cliché, I don't wear it to be rebellious, I don't wear it as a fad, and I'm not ignorant of it's meaning.

I wear a pentacle for MANY reasons. Not only do I feel it's the closest representation of my faith (being a Witch and a Spiritualist), but it represents numerous aspects of my life.

        -The pentagram represents the five members of my immediate family: my son, my daughter, my
          youngest son, my husband and myself.
        -The pentagram represent the five members of my originating family: my mom, my dad, my two
          sisters and myself
        -The pentagram represents the four elements and Spirit/Goddess
        -The pentagram represents the four directions and the Great Spirit (stemming from my Native
          beliefs)
        -The pentagram represents the five senses

So, as you can see, I have more than one reason to wear the pentagram/pentacle. Now, you won't see me wearing a pentacle the size of a hubcap, nor will you see me wearing multiples of the same symbol/shape. While the Pentacle HAS meaning to me, it doesn't mean I prefer to show it off for the purposes of seeking attention. I hate being the center of attention, and dislike being approached randomly. While I wear a pentacle, it's a small subtle ring on my right finger.