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

[micro, RN]

:zzzzz

Mario, I insinuate nothing, but the truth in my humble opinion.

:stone

DM, I think sometimes that our openness here is not always a +. Cultural differences, I agree.

just micro all

[nurs4kids]

Originally posted by mario_ragucci

Personally, I'd rather see a nice symbol of human power, like a hammer and sickle, or a red star with 5 points (five continents). All this hocus-pokus, pie in the sky, theistic stuff leads to discention. Always will.

All these vain attempts to bolster your personal slants about the nature of goodnes in people is convuluting :-) We have a place and a task as health care professionals, which can never include trying to sneak in some personal/mystic slant to a health care environment.

To me, it's in poor taste to place symbols of a man being murdered on a piece of wood and reflect on that as a source of inspiration. I'm sorry.

well said, Mario! ..now, pass me that moon pie!

[mario_ragucci]

I don't understand the context of this. A moonpie is a individually wrapped marshmellow cake treat. I don't eat moonpies. What does this mean?

[ohbet]

Im a christian. Practicing my religion does not involve erecting shrines,or any conspicuous display,but it involves my being active by loving my neighbor,ie the patients at the hospital where I work.

If your religion,Wiccan,has the same ethical obligation,then forget about the shrine, get active and be of service,which Im sure you are.

[Lausana]

Originally posted by ohbet

Im a christian. Practicing my religion does not involve erecting shrines,or any conspicuous display,but it involves my being active by loving my neighbor,ie the patients at the hospital where I work.

If your religion,Wiccan,has the same ethical obligation,then forget about the shrine, get active and be of service,which Im sure you are.

My thoughts exactly! Barbara to answer the original question, unfortunately I don't think they'll be a happy medium. Personally, I'd have no problem with what you've described if it is in you personal space at work, or a trinket or necklace...but sometimes it just isn't worth the fight. I think your passion for your beliefs will show even when you don't display it on shelf...they may not know the specifics of "what you are", but they'll know. (They meaning patients and coworkers) That's what really matters, that you're representing yourself honestly! (hope that all made sense!)

Interesting stuff you guys! :kiss

(Sounds like you've got one PC nurses station Barb :chuckle Hey as long as everyone's happy now!!)