Religion and work-- is there a median?

[CashewLPN]

hi kids...

For those that dont know me, my name is Barbara. I am a Wiccan priestess, a moderator on these boards, and a LPN.

Wicca is a very gentle peaceloving religion...if anyone needs more info, PM me...

anyhoo... enough background...

I work in a large NY hospital, inpatient rehabilitation.

On the back nursing station, on top of a shelf that is empty, I have placed a small statue, some pennies and a small twig. It, in essence is a prosperity/peace shrine.... Total space, 9 square inches...

On the back bulletein board is a christian prayer (it is the only thing on that board, and, distinctly references the 'one lord jesus christ')

On the front board is a similar paper.... on it is a christian cross and a prayer/thanks to our staff..

Now, I've been ill for a few days... I had some emergency oral surgery... I left my shrine up...

I have a religious student of mine who works on the unit... A nurse on the unit pulled her over to the side and told her that she worried about my sanity-- about how I left something like that up on the floor.... (mind you, the day I set it up, she was working,and could have come to me immediately)

My student (who I'm VERY proud of) told her about wicca, and fielded a few not too nicely worded questions in a professional and courteous manner...

I'm miffed that she questioned my sanity and religion to anyone other than me... I've never questioned her love of christianity, or her sanity... grr... (maybe except now)

anyhoo... I'm leaving my shrine up, until management asks me to take it down, or until a staff member or patient asks me to remove it... and when that time comes, I will remove every single item on the floor that mentions 'god' in any of his/her/its form... or... call the ACLU...

Am I justified to be angry... is my plan of action skewed?

I'm quite angry right now, but of course have no ill will... aka-- I come in calm and collected, and do not bother with these people who do not ask questions..

Thanks for letting me vent

Barbara

[studentOH]

Originally posted by delirium

Barbara:

:rotfl: :lol2: :rotfl:

Besides, mainstream is overrated. We have the status quo to thank for the missionary position.

Del

ROFLMAO! Amen girlfriend!

Brian

[mario_ragucci]

Originally posted by delirium

Barbara:

I agree that if its acceptable to have a Christian prayer, its equally acceptable to have a Buddha statue, or a wiccan shrine, or whatever.

missionary position.

Del

But ya gotta say sumpthin, right? What about it being equally acceptable to not have any of this stuff out or around because it gets folks to fighting.

I was so happy to read about how the Soviets turned all that religious stuff into history, and churches into museums.

The Role of Nursing does not include superstitious promotions what so ever. Right?

[Sleepyeyes]

Originally posted by mario_ragucci

The Role of Nursing does not include superstitious promotions what so ever. Right?

My goodness Mario, you just drew a bullseye in the middle of your forehead with that question. DUCK!! :chuckle

[KP RN]

Barbara,

I guess I'm in the minority. Displaying religious items at work is not appropriate. I don't think you can achieve a happy medium.

The point is that prayers referencing Jesus as the only Lord cannot be agreed on by everyone. A crucifix can arguably make some uncomfortable. Imagine a jewish nurse displaying a star of david and an israeli flag on a shelf. How long do you think that would last??

I would never consider displaying religious symbols in a common area of my work, and I would request the same of you...

[boggle, ASN, RN]

I just have to comment on how proud I am to be associated with you allnurses folks! What a wonderful, mature discussion you have here about a very sensitive issue!

You have kept to the point, been respectful ( and funny too) and truely given me food for thought.

You are awsome!!

[RNConnieF]

I wear a religious medal under my uniform at work all the time, none of my patients know about it. (Just as an aside, the one neck chain rule many places have is to avoid running into any religious problems by banning all neck chains.) Funny though, every time, and I mean EVERY time I've asked an acutly ill patient if I could pray for them they NEVER ONCE asked which religion I would be praying in. To a lot of us God is God no matter which church we pray in. If I ever request your prayers please feel free to pray to a Christian God, to Budda, to Wicca, to any and all Native American Gods, to the Hebrew God, and to any other God you feel will listen and grant peace. Hell, if I'm at the point where I need prayers the ONLY person I can think of I wouldn't want praying to me is Osama BinLadin (sp?) and that's only because I'm pretty sure NO God would listen to anyone who's mission in life in mass murder. I don't mean to sound flip, I'm just trying to point out that we all nedd all the prayers we can get most of the time. So for those of you who won't take offense if I pray to a Catholic God, I'll pray for you all tonight as fellow nurses.

[SheilaK]

All I can say is if you can take the heat.. by all means STAND UP for your rights. On a personal level I had a job in the past make my working life VERY difficult once my "religious beliefs" were known. So I do my own thing and to each there own.

Blessed Be

[P_RN, ADN, RN]

Sleepyeyes...excellent post.

KP RN I agree Displaying religious items at work is not appropriate.

Your faith/spirituality is within you. A representative symbol on a chain or in a pocket is sufficient. After all YOU know it's there.

I'll not get into a discussion that trashes ANYone's beliefs.

[semstr]

Neither a star of David,nor the Israelian flag are religious symbols for me, but a sign of something else, like belonging to this country or group of people.

We have crucifixes on the walls of the hospital, but we take them down, when patients want it that way.

Take care, Renee

[delirium]

Originally posted by Stargazer

O/T: What's wrong with the missionary position?

Uh, I'll have to PM you about this, baby.

[delirium]

Originally posted by studentOH

ROFLMAO! Amen girlfriend!

Brian

Bri:

Can I get a 'hell yeah'?

:lol2:

Del

[nrsjo]

Try working in the midsouth and escaping religion.

My coworkers openly read and discuss the bible, pray over patients, and sometimes wonder about those of us that don't join in the group prayer sessions. I have lost count of how many family members have gotten in my face to ask me if I have been saved. I often feel like asking "from what?"

My religion or lack of is my business. I just wish we had a bit less of it in the work place. It does amaze me though with as many churches and preachers as we have per square mile, and as many people who claim to be "religious" in this town, that we have as many drunks, druggies, killers, and criminals as we do.