I've had this issue... but I'm the boss so I tell them to shut it. We really don't talk about it much. I was suprised because eventually they just started asking me questions about it. I will always answer questions but I will not debate religion with my staff.

I agree with you, don't debate the issue. The more you debate with some people, the more self-righteous they seem to feel. It's pointless.

I don't agree with this comparison at all. If that was true than blacks should have taken responsibility for being lynched and generally harassed for demanding they be allowed the same rights as whites?

The idea of taking responsiblity for your own actions is not hard to understand even when it applies to standing by your principles. You aren't released from that responsiblity just because you don't like the reaction you get, any more than the person reacting to you can deny responsiblity for how they react.

I have to say that I�C(TM)m with Hunter on this one. You've tried to compare apples to oranges. It�C(TM)s not a matter of taking responsibility for Bubba bashing your head in. It�C(TM)s a matter of taking responsibility for the actions that triggered his response. If he�C(TM)s just sitting there not bothering anyone, walking up to him and telling him he�C(TM)s stupid (even if it�C(TM)s true) is not doing anything to help anyone. Similarly, arguing about your right to practice whatever religion you want, with someone who is unable to think logically about the subject, is not doing anything to help anyone either.

I have to say that I�C(TM)m with Hunter on this one. You've tried to compare apples to oranges. It�C(TM)s not a matter of taking responsibility for Bubba bashing your head in. It�C(TM)s a matter of taking responsibility for the actions that triggered his response. If he�C(TM)s just sitting there not bothering anyone, walking up to him and telling him he�C(TM)s stupid (even if it�C(TM)s true) is not doing anything to help anyone. Similarly, arguing about your right to practice whatever religion you want, with someone who is unable to think logically about the subject, is not doing anything to help anyone either.

Sometimes you have to stand up for what you believe in no matter what it costs, but weigh the costs with what they accomplish. There is probably a better place to get better results than in the workplace.

You are right. All I'm saying is that once you decide what you are going to do about it you will be responsible for your actions.

And I'm sure she weighed the costs and went on with it knowing what she was getting into and accepting that responsibility. Do you think she was surprised by the reaction she got? Or did she take it on knowing that it was worth the fight? That is called taking responsibility for your own actions too. The people she had to stand up to probably denied any responsibility for their actions.

I was recently told at work that I should "be careful" about how "out" I am about my religion at work. I know this is not that uncommon for pagans in the workplace. I am wondering who has had this issue and what did you decide to do about it?

Luckily for me I work at home, but in office settings in the past my theoretical leanings (I won't call it "belief" because I really try to get along on as little belief or "faith" as possible) have ALWAYS caused me problems and I ALWAYS end up getting the sh1t end of the stick. (Yes, I said "always". People can tell just by the way I DON'T say anything that I'm "not one of the cool kids". If I try to play along, that gives me away just as quickly.)

But that's not religion, that's just how offices are, especially if there are a lot of female employees. Females tend to try to make their workplace into a "family". (Lest it sound like I'm bashing females, I'm not--this is a fact and can be looked up. There have been a number of studies done regarding this subject.) While men usually keep a distance from their coworkers, colleagues, and underlings, women want to be in their coworkers' business, and they give each person a "role" in the office family. There's no way one can escape it. (I am typically cast as the scapegoat, in case you are wondering.)

In one of the last office settings I worked in, I was getting hassled by a lesbian coworker who was a Wiccan. It was extremely stressful. She would do things like take little objects from my desk or purse and do spells on them, and put them back. I would get to that office at 0500, and often be the very first person there. One time this lady got there before me and marked things--the doorknobs, the walls, and the bathroom sink and mirror--with blood. I'm not sure why she did this but I think it was directed at me, because an hour later, when everyone else started coming in, it was all gone.

I ended up getting fired from that job because of my "violent, self-destructive jokes"--it was basically because I came in on Halloween with "Crow" makeup. (You know: The Crow, a cartoon character. He's awesome!)

Anyway: Don't ever suppose that discriminatory or abusive behavior is exclusive to Christians; it's definitely not.

NOTE: I'm not expressing a bias against Wiccans or religious people in general, here, either! I don't care what people believe in or how they worship, or if they worship at all.

Everyone has a right to his or her own beliefs. In the office setting, however, I prefer for people to behave in a professional manner. In the past when I have employed people or managed them, I try to discourage in as gentle a way as possible those who make their religious leanings so obvious that there's no way to overlook them. I try to discourage people from forming cliques based on religious affiliation. I do this in the name of professionalism and a calm, friendly, organized work environment.

If someone challenges me, it's usually someone who has fundamentalist Christian beliefs. I will, once the conflict gets to a certain point, take that person into a private setting and allow him or her to vent for a time--I force myself to listen to whatever the person says, and give him/her ample opportunity to express whatever it is that he wants to express.

Once it seems like he's finished and said everything he wants to say, I'll say something like, "So, I'm getting here that you feel that everyone should be proud of his beliefs and be able to express them in the work setting regardless of whether it's considered appropriate by others or not?"

The answer will always be a vehement "yes".

I will then say, "Do you know what the Temple of Set is?"

The answer will always be a somewhat confused-sounding "no".

I will then say, "The Temple of Set is a church for those of us who tend toward atheistic or agnostic, intellectually-based Satanism. Would you be comfortable if I displayed the upside-down pentagram in a frame behind my desk? When I take off early on May Eve, would you like for me to wish everyone 'season's greetings' and tell them where I'm headed, maybe invite them to the bonfire?"

That usually shuts em up. yours in Chaos, Scarlett

I worked in an office that was entirely female at one point and it was constant chatter. I sometimes got a head ache. I mean I enjoyed it up to a point but sometimes I just wanted to work and keep to myself and I always felt forced into "compulsory fraternization".