Yesterday at work I overheard this one colleague use our holy father's name in a vulgar sexual manner. I have known he is a non-believer of the Christian Sect and he knows I am devout in my faith. I thought this was a great insult so proceeded to tell all my co-workers that he is a bad influence on the company.
We united in our efforts to confront him about his comments. To our astonishment he used the f word to describe our holy father. That crossed the line so we proceeded to take it the next level and went directly to our boss. He said he can't do anything as the man has every right to have his opinion heard.
This is not an opinion. He has NO RIGHT to say what he did in this country. I have NEVER insulted him on the fact he believes in cows and two headed, ten arm icons, practice paganistic rituals and mumble some jibberish things while facing the sun.
Do you think I should report him to Human resources, do I have a
case? Please advise!
2006-09-19 22:45:23 · 22 answers · asked by Skyeboi 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
If he insulted you because of your belief, yes. If he attacked Christianity in general, no.
However, you SHOULD NOT go to human resources, as a Christian.
Jesus told us to turn the other cheek. He told us to bless those that curse us. Paul tells us not to judge those that are not in the church. We are told to love our enemies.
We are called to be different from the world. The world says, "You can't get away with offending me." However, the Christian should not. Bring this man some cookies or do some other act of love to show that you will not let him get to you. Kill him with kindness, as the saying goes.
P.S. - He does have EVERY RIGHT to say what he did in this country. That is what freedom of religion and freedom of speech are all about.
2006-09-19 22:58:00 · answer #1 · answered by Serving Jesus 6 · 5⤊ 2⤋
Perhaps you can reconcile with the man to not use that language while at work.
There is legal precedence...The KKK, for example, has been legally prohibited from marching and exprssing there opinions in a known crowd of blacks celebrating MLK's birthday. The reason is that such a march would likely incite violence.
For similar reasons, your coworker can be made to mind his speech while at work, or be transferred, etc.
On the other hand, you and your co-workers can collectively confront your boss for a transfer, etc. Now it becomes a business decision for your employer.
2006-09-19 23:12:30 · answer #2 · answered by BowtiePasta 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Come on christians! You think it's ok to use God's name in vain? You want to take the name of the one that gave you life and turn it into a curse word? Kudos to you and your co-workers for standing up for God. You should. In fact, you did. And you went to the boss already. I don't think that you need to go further with this. However, the response of the company should be noted. So, if someone else tries to complain about an offense to their religion, it gets handled in the same manner. I can see it now, christian gets offended = no big deal. Hindu dude gets offended = BAD CHRISTIAN! We must punish you!
2006-09-19 23:00:57 · answer #3 · answered by ScottyJae 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
No... don't report him to human resources.. and don't have a case...
I'll give you some encouraging verses from the bible...
Mathews 5:38-40 "38 ¶ Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:
39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also."
Mathews 5:44-48 "44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?
48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect."
Mathews 10:24-28 "24 The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord.
25 It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household?
26 Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known.
27 What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops.
28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell."
2nd Thessalonians 3:14-15 "14 And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.
15 Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother."
2006-09-19 22:55:31 · answer #4 · answered by jmdanial 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋
As a Christian, I can say that you do have a case, because although that guy has every right to make his opinion heard, I still think that there is still a line when it comes to other people's beliefs. If he expects everyone to accept the things he believes in, he should be able to respect other people's beliefs and not mutter such stuff like that. But of course it still depends if your company has rules regarding religion in the workplace. If ever your company doesn't have any laws regarding this matter, then you're in deep trouble.
The bottomline is that we should all accept and respect one another's beliefs. Whether it's Christianity, Hinduism or Islam; God, Shiva or Allah, we have the right to express our faith in our own way.
2006-09-19 22:53:36 · answer #5 · answered by enlil4_enki_1998 2 · 1⤊ 3⤋
Yes you do. If his comments were on a sexual nature of any kind. This is sexual harrassment in the workplace. Use this argument instead of the religious one. It seems to work better. As far as this person being of the Hindu order, I can't bring myself to believe that since they are famous for not wanting to insult others in any way. You might want to remind him that Gandhi himself would not have approved of his behavour.
2006-09-19 23:36:07 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
the swearing and sexual inuendos should NOT be tollerated in the work place, and maybe neither of you should be talking about religion.. its a good chance he doesnt want to hear your opinions on religion if he is an unbeliever and maybe this was his way to make sure you do not speak it at work? who knows , but I would say the only thing you have to go on is he should not be cussing or useing sexual terms at work place, nor should he be putting you down personally.. so yes you have a case, but if you can ignore it , then I would try that first.. you dont really want to cause problems if you dont have to. its up to your really.
2006-09-19 23:03:48 · answer #7 · answered by minx 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Dear brother,
Remember Jesus said the world hated him before they hated us.
Also remember that the enemy will TRY to do anything to temp us or move us from where God has us. Remember that the enemy has no power over us But we have power of the enemy.
What you need to do is ask God to forgive your co-worker, I know its difficult because he blasphemed Our Heavenly Father. Some times as Christians the most difficult thing to do is to forgive some-one. But its something we must do because its what Jesus said we must do, love our enemies and pray for them and forgive each other. Just forgive him in pray and keep to yourself.
You should take your pain and thoughts in prayer to God and Let Him deal with it. Remember we should cast all things upon Him.
Let God deal with Him, all vengeance belong to God.
Rebuke that spirit on your job in the name of Jesus and leave the rest to God.
I would not go to human resource. God is Bigger for that.
We are covered by the Blood of Jesus and there is nothing no-one can say or do to change that.
God bless
2006-09-19 23:00:57 · answer #8 · answered by Donovan J 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
I don't think you have a case unless he is directly harrassing you. You might try talking to the director and see what they have to say. Also, even though you are upset you should try sitting down with him and explaining why it upsets you so much and that you both need to be tolerant of each other. The best thing you can so is pray for him. I am sure it wasn't easy for him to be confronted by a hostile group of people. I don't how you couls expect a postive result from you and your co workers behavior.
2006-09-19 22:53:42 · answer #9 · answered by Sandra W 2 · 2⤊ 3⤋
People are allowed to their own opinions. You can't think for this man, he can think of your religion and of you as he damn well pleases. Who says that he has no right? As far as I know the Constitution defends his right to freedom of speech, just as it defends yours. Actually what he did say was opinion, not fact.
People have all sorts of opinions especially when it comes to religion and politics. Besides, you don't know if this man is pagan or not, he could be an agnostic for all you know. You can try to report him to HR but would end up looking stupid, because people are allowed to their opinions, whether you like it or not.
Grr, I must be really bored, if I'm answering questions like these at nearly 3am. :-P
2006-09-19 22:55:38 · answer #10 · answered by luckyscribe7 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋