Coworker fired for Athiest views?

[AgaBoogaBoo]

He shouldn't expect society to accept things like that completely and going around expressing his views won't help. Society takes time to change, why keep going around and proving it isn't accepting when everyone knows it?

I think he should have just kept to himself and moved on with life

 

[DurocShark]

Originally posted by: Velk

Originally posted by: DurocShark
I don't have the whole story, mostly because management isn't talking. But it seems someone got offended by this coworker's repeated statements of his Athiest views and occasional ridicule of formal religions.

Obviously he isn't quiet about his views, but it really ticks me off that someone is so thin skinned and threatened by someone who believes differently that they would call HR and claim "hostile work environment" over religion.
[/b]

Occasional ridicule of black people ? Occasional ridicule of gays ? Occasional ridicule of women ? Occasional ridicule of stupid management ? ;p

Why is religion, or lack thereof, considered a safe topic to be insulting about ?

Religion is a choice. Last time I checked being black wasn't.

 

[Vic]

Originally posted by: DurocShark

Originally posted by: Velk

Originally posted by: DurocShark
I don't have the whole story, mostly because management isn't talking. But it seems someone got offended by this coworker's repeated statements of his Athiest views and occasional ridicule of formal religions.

Obviously he isn't quiet about his views, but it really ticks me off that someone is so thin skinned and threatened by someone who believes differently that they would call HR and claim "hostile work environment" over religion.
[/b]

Occasional ridicule of black people ? Occasional ridicule of gays ? Occasional ridicule of women ? Occasional ridicule of stupid management ? ;p

Why is religion, or lack thereof, considered a safe topic to be insulting about ?

Religion is a choice. Last time I checked being black wasn't.

Choice or not, religion (or lack of) is legally a protected class. Just like race. Discrimination and bigotry of protected classes in the workplace should not be tolerated.

 

[oogabooga]

Originally posted by: DurocShark

Originally posted by: Velk

Originally posted by: DurocShark
I don't have the whole story, mostly because management isn't talking. But it seems someone got offended by this coworker's repeated statements of his Athiest views and occasional ridicule of formal religions.

Obviously he isn't quiet about his views, but it really ticks me off that someone is so thin skinned and threatened by someone who believes differently that they would call HR and claim "hostile work environment" over religion.
[/b]

Occasional ridicule of black people ? Occasional ridicule of gays ? Occasional ridicule of women ? Occasional ridicule of stupid management ? ;p

Why is religion, or lack thereof, considered a safe topic to be insulting about ?

Religion is a choice. Last time I checked being black wasn't.

So make fun of workers being obese. Last i checked, anyone could get off their ass.
Is being gay a choice too? how about that.
How about political affiliation : lets make fun of those verbally too

your coworker was not professional in a work environment. That kinda talk belongs with buddies at bars, or at home, or wherever else. But at the place of work, you're not paid to spout out whatever you think/believe and exercise everyone of your rights to the extent where it is exercised at the expense of others. Mgmt can make terrible choices, yet you have not convinced many people this is an example of one.

The point is your coworkers inability to act professionally got him fired. (from what details you know...)

 

[91TTZ]

Originally posted by: Stefan

The thing with the darwin fish (although I really don't have a problem with it either) is that it is taking something that is close to the hearts of christians and essentially making a joke or mockery of it, which is along the same lines as outwordly mocking or ridiculing a christian for their beliefs.

You have no idea how many fights I've had with my GF over me wanting to put a darwin fish bumper sticker on my car. After a great deal of time I can understand why I shouldn't put one on.

That is not a valid argument. You have the same right to put a darwin fish on your car as a Christan has to put the Jesus fish on their car. Neither is any more right/wrong.

 

[eigen]

I would have promoted the guy.

 

[91TTZ]

Originally posted by: Astaroth33

That kind of discussion does not belong in the workplace at all. Management was right to fire the guy.

At my work, there's a guy near me that frequently talks to another coworker about religion. They're both Christians and openly talk about it at work.

How is that any different than if I talked to a coworker of mine about atheism or the fact that I'm not religious?

It's not. It's no different. They openly talk about their religious beliefs, which is against policy. Now I'm not one to complain to management because I'm not a rat. But you can see how there's a double standard here. It's only ok to be open about it if you're religious.

 

[Vic]

Originally posted by: 91TTZ

Originally posted by: Astaroth33
That kind of discussion does not belong in the workplace at all. Management was right to fire the guy.

At my work, there's a guy near me that frequently talks to another coworker about religion. They're both Christians and openly talk about it at work.

How is that any different than if I talked to a coworker of mine about atheism or the fact that I'm not religious?

It's not. It's no different. They openly talk about their religious beliefs, which is against policy. Now I'm not one to complain to management because I'm not a rat. But you can see how there's a double standard here. It's only ok to be open about it if you're religious.

There shouldn't be a double standard. If their discussions offend you, and you're not willing to "rat" them out to management (who would likely handle the issue, so it's not like there's really a double standard as what they are doing is against company policy,so the only fault in this case belongs with yourself), then you should at the very least discuss the issue with your co-workers.

Quite frankly, I find your argument to be highly flawed. You're bitching about a problem that you haven't done anything about, that probably only continues because you haven't done anything about it, and using that as the basis to claim that some kind of religious double standard exists. It's almost like a person getting robbed, but not reporting the robbery to the police, and then complaining about how the police never do anything about crime based on that single circumstance!

 

[BigToque]

Originally posted by: 91TTZ

Originally posted by: Stefan

The thing with the darwin fish (although I really don't have a problem with it either) is that it is taking something that is close to the hearts of christians and essentially making a joke or mockery of it, which is along the same lines as outwordly mocking or ridiculing a christian for their beliefs.

You have no idea how many fights I've had with my GF over me wanting to put a darwin fish bumper sticker on my car. After a great deal of time I can understand why I shouldn't put one on.

That is not a valid argument. You have the same right to put a darwin fish on your car as a Christan has to put the Jesus fish on their car. Neither is any more right/wrong.

The difference between the two is the jesus fish is representative of a belief. The darwin fish only exists as a mockery of someone elses belief and therefore isn't very appropriate unless your intent is to cause problems. If your belief is that there is no god then come up with something that is representative of that without mocking anothers belief.

Sure you have every right to express yourself, but people also have the right to fire you because you're trying to rile people up.

 

[Squisher]

Unless this was done in threatening manner the employee should be given the opportunity modify their behavior.

Your friend should have been told that such talk is not appropriate at the workplace. If he then didn't change his ways then dismissal becomes an option.


Lawyers cost lots of money and the justice system moves at a snail's pace.

 

[0roo0roo]

i guess its like the middle east. speak out against religion? how dare you!! off with your head! ideology is not protected from critisism

 

[dabuddha]

Originally posted by: DurocShark
I don't have the whole story, mostly because management isn't talking. But it seems someone got offended by this coworker's repeated statements of his Athiest views and occasional ridicule of formal religions.

Obviously he isn't quiet about his views, but it really ticks me off that someone is so thin skinned and threatened by someone who believes differently that they would call HR and claim "hostile work environment" over religion.

:|

EDIT: It seems quite a few of you can't read. I never said he ridiculed any individuals. Only religions themselves. And this was in conversations with other athiests. In my opinion it's NO different than religions icons or whatever people have all over their desks.

He deserves it. He should know better not to discuss religion at work. It's one of the 3 things you don't talk about at work.

 

[Netopia]

I don't have the whole story, mostly because management isn't talking. But it seems someone got offended by this coworker's repeated statements of his Athiest views and occasional ridicule of formal religions.

No different than if he started speaking badly about blacks or hispanics or asian. Discrimination (as defined by the government) is not to be tolerated. OTOH, even most militant atheists I know say that atheism isn't a religious stance, so their views are not protected as they are only opinions. (Not that I think people should talk badly about them either).

Joe

 

[EXman]

It seems quite a few of you can't read. I never said he ridiculed any individuals. Only religions themselves. And this was in conversations with other athiests. In my opinion it's NO different than religions icons or whatever people have all over their desks.

So a angel or a cross is the same as ridiculing athiests? That sounds like you are a little sensitive to crosses you a vampire? Just kidding but your opinion makes you sound like a crybaby.

If he was making anti-semetic remarks whoa watch out.

 

[Red Dawn]

I wouldn't want to hear some Fundie Monkey preach to me at work so I believe that it would only be fair that the Fundie Monkeys shouldn't have to hear my views on their beliefs at work either.

 

[EXman]

Originally posted by: Red Dawn
I wouldn't want to hear some Fundie Monkey preach to me at work so I believe that it would only be fair that the Fundie Monkeys shouldn't have to hear my views on their beliefs at work either.

Too bad AT isn't work then.

 

[stag3]

ok so it looks like someone had an agenda against him, found out some info- this coworker who got fired, had planned on a bbq for monday, july4th. multiple people @ work asked him to make it on sunday instead since they didn't want to show up for work on tuesday hammered. after he changed it to sunday as requested, the rat called HR yet again and complained that it was changed so that christians would not attend the said bbq since it was on sunday and christians had to goto church that day.

wtf is that? a personal BBQ shouldn't be bitched @ to HR. this is pretty lame.

 

[NikPreviousAcct]

Originally posted by: stag3
ok so it looks like someone had an agenda against him, found out some info- this coworker who got fired, had planned on a bbq for monday, july4th. multiple people @ work asked him to make it on sunday instead since they didn't want to show up for work on tuesday hammered. after he changed it to sunday as requested, the rat called HR yet again and complained that it was changed so that christians would not attend the said bbq since it was on sunday and christians had to goto church that day.

wtf is that? a personal BBQ shouldn't be bitched @ to HR. this is pretty lame.

Right. And the whole thing about Christians not being able to do anything on Sunday but go to church is gut-bustingly hilarious :laugh: What a moron!

 

[NikPreviousAcct]

Originally posted by: 91TTZ

Originally posted by: Astaroth33

That kind of discussion does not belong in the workplace at all. Management was right to fire the guy.

At my work, there's a guy near me that frequently talks to another coworker about religion. They're both Christians and openly talk about it at work.

How is that any different than if I talked to a coworker of mine about atheism or the fact that I'm not religious?

It's not. It's no different. They openly talk about their religious beliefs, which is against policy. Now I'm not one to complain to management because I'm not a rat. But you can see how there's a double standard here. It's only ok to be open about it if you're religious.

You're a fvcking moron, you know that?

There's no goddamn double standard so quit fantasizing about it. I bet you anything that if you spoke up to management, they would do something about it. Just because someone gets fired for bashing religion while others don't get fired for talking about Christianity doesn't mean jack shiot other than management probably just hasn't been notified about the ones who haven't been fired yet.

Fvckin'aye. :roll:

If you want it to stop but don't want to DO anything about it for fear of being called a snitch (gasp, oh no!), either quit fvcking bitching about it or install some sort of Big Brother system and pipe it over to HR so they can watch for themselves.

 

[stag3]

yea why bitch if you aren't gonna do anything about it?

 

[91TTZ]

Originally posted by: Vic

Quite frankly, I find your argument to be highly flawed. You're bitching about a problem that you haven't done anything about, that probably only continues because you haven't done anything about it, and using that as the basis to claim that some kind of religious double standard exists. It's almost like a person getting robbed, but not reporting the robbery to the police, and then complaining about how the police never do anything about crime based on that single circumstance!

You're missing the point.

My point is that people are offended by talk about religion... if it's not Christian. If it is Christian, most people think it's OK.

I think that if were to report my coworkers for talking about their Christian religion (which I wouldn't, because they're nice people), nothing would happen to them, they would just be told to quiet it down. BUT, if I was reported for talking about atheism, then I'd be reported (since christians are often offended by this) and I'd be fired on the spot.

My point is that the double standard exists because most of the policymakers at government/businesses believe in Christianity, so they're biased.

 

[91TTZ]

Originally posted by: Nik

You're a fvcking moron, you know that?

The mods frown upon that kind of talk. I suggest you clean it up or risk getting banned. I'm not one to tolerate that kind of talk.

 

[NikPreviousAcct]

Originally posted by: 91TTZ

Originally posted by: Vic

Quite frankly, I find your argument to be highly flawed. You're bitching about a problem that you haven't done anything about, that probably only continues because you haven't done anything about it, and using that as the basis to claim that some kind of religious double standard exists. It's almost like a person getting robbed, but not reporting the robbery to the police, and then complaining about how the police never do anything about crime based on that single circumstance!

You're missing the point.

My point is that people are offended by talk about religion... if it's not Christian. If it is Christian, most people think it's OK.

I think that if were to report my coworkers for talking about their Christian religion (which I wouldn't, because they're nice people), nothing would happen to them, they would just be told to quiet it down. BUT, if I was reported for talking about atheism, then I'd be reported (since christians are often offended by this) and I'd be fired on the spot.

My point is that the double standard exists because most of the policymakers at government/businesses believe in Christianity, so they're biased.

You're making assumptions about how management would handle the situation, but you don't have the balls to actually do anything more than complain about it. Then you're taking that assumption and spinning a whole opinion off of it as if it were a global truth.

Come on now... you're smarter than that.

 

[The Green Bean]

Originally posted by: KLin
The idiot should have kept his mouth shut.

 

[NikPreviousAcct]

Originally posted by: 91TTZ

Originally posted by: Nik

You're a fvcking moron, you know that?

The mods frown upon that kind of talk. I suggest you clean it up or risk getting banned. I'm not one to tolerate that kind of talk.

Yeah, that was uncalled for. I guess I'm just getting frustrated with your twisted view of society based loosely on your experiences with babbling idiots (like the friend you lost to "Christianity") and your opinion based on assumptions.