I am Catholic (I guess) but I haven't been to services in many years. I'd like to go this year, and I was just thinking ahead to Ash Wednesday. At work last year some people came to work with the ash cross on their foreheads, and left it there all day at work.
Does any employer have the right to tell you you have to wash it off or whatever? Or is this religious freedom ? Because I know there are sometimes lawsuits even over people wearing crosses to work.
also, Catholics, when do you wash that off?at end of day on ash wed.? thanks.
2006-11-08 14:26:32 · 12 answers · asked by allison 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
They are a private employer so they can make any rule they want. You need to check with them regarding this. It's their right to accept or deny it. We have religious freedom but when you bring it to work they have the right to set their own rules about it.
2006-11-08 14:28:59 · answer #1 · answered by Justsyd 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I see several mattters here, which I will answer in order:
(1) It is completely appropriate to wear the cross of ash on your forehead. This is part of the freedom of religion guaranteed by the first constitutional amendment. It would be illegal for an employer to ask you to remove this religious symbol. The only time there might be a problem is if the symbol somehow violated office dress code. It might be in your best interest to be discrete if you believe that the symbol might cause a problem where you work.
(2) Thinking ahead to Ash Wednesday: Wow, you're thinking pretty far in advance! The service comes sometime in March. It is a penitential prayer service that reminds us of our sinfulness before God and the need to repent during Lent - the 40 days before the holiday commemorating the passion and ressurection of Jesus.
(3) When to wash it off? There is no prescription that says there's a certain time to wash it off. Some wash it off right away, others allow it to remain until they naturally would next wash their face. This is ultimately a personal choice. Many people wear the cross as a testament to their faith and as a reminder that, as the priest tells us when giving the cross, "you are dust, and to dust you shall return."
(4) In my experience, most of the time, the cross of ash is so discrete that it's not even noticed outside of the appearance of a light, dirty smudge (unless, of course, you're at a Catholic campus like Notre Dame!). A real way to show the faith might be to think about returning to mass regularly - you could easily get these answers and more from a priest.
Happy Lent!
2006-11-08 23:19:12 · answer #2 · answered by CB 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I do not know. I do know that where I work at, there are a lot of Catholics (who do not practice at all) who goes to church on Ash Wednesday and get that cross on their foreheads. They leave it on all day. They wash it off either before they go to bed or when they wake up in the morning. The reason why I think they do either of the two is because the next day, they do not have it on anymore.
I personally think that some bosses may be peeved by having their workers walk around with a cross on their heads. It all depends on the place that you work at. Maybe the compromise is that after work you can get that placed on your forehead, not only to keep "peace" at your job, but to show your religion and your faith in it.
2006-11-09 17:18:00 · answer #3 · answered by uchaboo 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can wear the ash cross on your forehead. No one has the right to tell you to remove it. Anyway, it's a sign that we came from dust and will become dust. In simple words, it means to turn away from our sins and live what the Gospel tells us. Let freedom of religion stay. You don't have to wash it off because sometimes, it washes off even without water because your sweat washes it off but it's okay. At school, we have a silly contest in our class to whoever can keep the ashes even after the end of the day. Sometimes, at the end of the day, the ashes will be gone completely. You may wash your face after.
2006-11-09 04:09:33 · answer #4 · answered by archangel_of_fire_and_air 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Where I work there is over 2000 employees and many are at work wearing their ashes. That is freedom of religion and no one can has the right to insist you wash them off. I'm not Catholic, but I bet most people leave them on until they take their next shower or before they go to bed.
2006-11-11 07:59:55 · answer #5 · answered by Classy Granny 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes, it is our right to wear the ash on our forehead and we take it off when we shower in the evening. unless you work in a place where all christian symbols are forbidden (saudi arabia), it is within the bounds of our religious freedom.
2006-11-08 23:49:05 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
You do not have to get anyones okey. You do not have to tall anyone either. And yes you wear it all day. Do not wash it off. if you take a shower it will come off then. But do not wipe it off
2006-11-09 01:33:19 · answer #7 · answered by Angelus 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You're suppose to leave it on all day. Your employer cannot tell you to wash it off. If they do, they'd be in big trouble.
2006-11-08 22:47:53 · answer #8 · answered by vik 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Let your boss know ahead of time so he/she wont be shocked.
2006-11-08 22:30:24 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
its your right wear it girl when i was a catholic i did but now im a recovering catholic.
2006-11-08 22:28:33 · answer #10 · answered by thesunnshynne 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋