Not sure if this should go in the political thread or the religion thread, but I'll post here and the mods can move it if they want.

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?

well...they don't take out the Christmas decorations anymore at work...and you know, at my kids school on September 11 they did not say anything about our soldiers! No one stopped to take a moment of silence specifically for them, or the people that died on Sept 11. Unreal. Kind of a separate issue than what you are speaking about...but similar in that expression of "faith" is frowned upon.

I agree with you...it does seem to be a very disturbing trend for all religions. However, at my workplace it is perfectly fine to be Christian. Christmas is celebrated, decorations are brought out and Merry Christmas is the gretting used. Nor would I ask for it to be any different. I just don't think I should have to hide the fact that I'm a witch. Of course, my choice is to go with the flow and not fight it. I need my job.

Last I checked one major reason we became a nation was to escape those who would tell us what to believe and how to practice. I say let it all hang out, it won't take long to catch others flaunting their religion, whether it is wearing a cross or suggesting you pick secret santa's.

I agree

Lots of people where I work wear crosses and we always have several Christmas parties. Being Christian is not a problem.

That sounds like grounds for a discrimination suit to me. Not that I would recommend going that route as it's untimately counter-productive. I have never had a problem with my religion in the workplace because it has never come up and I try to keep it that way.

I am not a Christian, but I enjoy celebrating Christmas. Whatever the origins of it may be, I don't feel like I have to subscribe to a belief inthe origins in order to enjoy the spirit of the holiday.

I did once have someone exclaim "There is only one true god" in response to an offhand remark about "the gods of (somthing or other)". I found it to be in very poor taste as the original comment was more of a figure of speech than anything else.

My opinion about discussing anything to do with religion in the workplace?

"Don't!"

It seems to me that Pagans in particular are singled out because they are considered "odd" and "non-traditional" at best and scary and potentially dangerous at worst. There still tends to be a lot of fear and misunderstanding of them and especially from the Christian perspective. Wicca has grown and increased in popularity since its origional inception and many in fact have left the church to pursue it or to at least explore it as a new spiritual path. I think this could possibly be a problem also.

It sounds like they are uneducated about your practice/beliefs...and you shouldn't have to expend the energy to educate them or explain yourself to them. You should be free to believe what you do...so you should continue to do so. What visually would cause them so much fear that they would actually tell you to be careful about how "out" you are? What honestly do they think is going to happen? People need to start embracing diversity for crying out loud. We don't have to like everyone...but we do all have to learn to live together.

Come in on Halloween in a witch costume, that'll get them thinking.

People flip out just over a simple piece of jewelry displaying the pentagram. The pentacle represents the integration of body and spirit, and the spiritual mastery of the four elements. Its no different than wearing a cross around the neck of a Christian.

I am not out visually more than anyone else. I often wear a triquetra necklace or other silver symbolic jewelry. However, I live in a very Christian community and while most people don't care, there are some who will cause problems. The person who told me this is only concerned for me. The Christians in this area routinely harrass Pagans and have been known to get ugly. Anyway, I know how I'm going to handle it...I want to keep my job and remain low key at work. I was just wondering how others have handled this.

I would never wear a pentacle to work...that's how bad it is. I wear the Triquetra. That is a symbol that I truly love (have it tattooed on my back) and most people who don't know anything about it don't notice it or figure I'm a big "Charmed" fan.

Ruth I think if I was you, based on what you have described here and some of the questionable behaviors that could arise from this, I might just discontinue wearing the jewelry at work or doing anything that would announce what your spirituality consists of. I know that sounds like a cop out but if it can effect your physical safety, or even jeopardize your position at work, its not worth it.

It seems to me that the prejudice is based exclusively on the Christian stance. It's positively shameful that such an inherently tolerant and ethical religion is/was attacked so brutally - physically in the past and still verbally in the present. But then, that has always been the way of those who are intolerant.

When people find out I'm wiccan, they get skittish and act shocked. I don't go around announcing my faith, but I don't hide it. I know from experience most people think satanism when they hear "witch". They're afraid of being cursed, etc. We can thank the movies for that. I have stopped others like that before by reminding them their religion says not to judge others but to love them and it's the same thing I believe. They kind of stutter and give up the arguement then.

Most pagans understand the forces of nature and its easy to see that what you project outward will cause an effect that will come back at you. If you want to stand on principle and make your point even if you know you are creating fear in people you have to be ready for their reaction and realize your part in causing it. Of course they are intolerant and close-minded but its like going up to bubba in a bar and telling him how stupid he is and not feeling you had some responsiblity for getting your head bashed in.

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 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?

I've only had 2 jobs in my life... And at each job I got the same thing. Honestly I think people need to mind there own and worry about themselves. As far as I know I'm not hurting anyone by staying my beliefs... If it offends someone I'm sorry but I have to hear about there decided practice. I do, however, think that at the work place you should be respectful of the others around. Paganism is highly misunderstood and because of that people are quick to throw up walls... It really is a shame!!!