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

[l.rae]

l work for Seventh Day Adventist hosp....l have never felt their beliefs shoved down my throat...they offer meat in the caffateria...and some SDA's eat meat...it is obvious through out the hosp that it is a Christain organization...just as the Catholic facility l worked for had objects of the Catholic faith.....There is a couple of Jewish facilities...a hosp and an ECF in the area....guess what....same there...l believe if the facility is based in a religious affiliation then it is wrong for anyone to expect that they would not aknowlege their faith within the work environment......however for secular establishments...l agree with the posters who state personal beliefs should be a discreet matter with the individual.....Shoud anyone ever ask me to share my faith with them though, l certainly would.....LR

[CashewLPN, LPN]

Danke schoen...

hmm... and another day goes by.... the statue is now down... management decided to YELL down the hallway that it was innapropriate... so... my statue went down... the st. joseph at the nurses station went down, the beautifully enameled white cross is down... its all down.... after debate with management... (and a promise to call the ACLU if she did not wish to be legal with her wants) small icons/figures/pictures shall be ok at the nurses station, on the small wall surrounding it... so, now, a tiny St. Joseph, my penticle (essentially my avitar) a star of david, a cresent and star, and a laughing buddha are all hanging out down there.... ahh well...

--Barbara

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

Compromise can be rewarding.

[micro, RN]

Originally posted by Yeti1313LPN

Danke schoen...

hmm... and another day goes by.... the statue is now down... management decided to YELL down the hallway that it was innapropriate... so... my statue went down... the st. joseph at the nurses station went down, the beautifully enameled white cross is down... its all down.... after debate with management... (and a promise to call the ACLU if she did not wish to be legal with her wants) small icons/figures/pictures shall be ok at the nurses station, on the small wall surrounding it... so, now, a tiny St. Joseph, my penticle (essentially my avitar) a star of david, a cresent and star, and a laughing buddha are all hanging out down there.... ahh well...

--Barbara

Actually, Barbara, I say "You go girl"!!!!!!!!!

But if belief systems are to be honoured, then all should be allowed and honoured. PM later;)

micro

[nurs4kids]

Originally posted by prn nurse

I think there is a time and a place for everything.

I don't think a small place on a shelf at work for any kind of icons/amulets is appropriate.

"a little piece of wood" could be left in your pocket if it gives you a sense of comfort.

America thrives/functions on the majority of people being "Mainstream."

It makes people anxious to be exposed to something that is not mainstream.

A little piece of wood.....how do others interpret that?

Is it voodoo? witchcraft? an object that is being used in a ritual?

It isn't "mainstream." It sends a message..... no one but you knows the message.

If you need a constant inspirational support/reassurance at work, I would wear a necklace under my uniform, or have something in my pocket. I would not build an alter at work, no matter how small.

I think your co-worker may have meant you were crazy to create your alter at your place of employment.

I think you are "asking for it." It is challenging authority. If you want to stand for your rights....for the "all or nothing"....ACLU & lawyers....and all that........ go for it!!!

This is America !! It's your right !!

Myself, I need to work. I don't make waves.

If I want to light black candles, put hexes on people, get drunk, have sex with the priest, worship at midnight under a full moon wearing black gauze, or any other stuff that is even slightly unmainstream, I'll do it, but not at work or in the presence of co-workers.

It depends on how much you need/want your job.

As someone said on another BB, we all "choose our battles."

I'd let this one go and die a quiet death & never mention it at work....a reputation for being an alternative "religious nut" would take a long time to live down .....even an undeserved one.

I couldn't agree more..well said!

[Cubby]

Originally posted by 2MagnoliaTrees

Praying for all of you. God Bless you and yours.

And the Goddess too.....:)

[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.

[micro, RN]

and it is only mo.........

1) I will echo myself and repeat again to Barbara. You go girl. Something of value to you should be allowed if other items of belief systems and personal preference are allowed. She was not trying to impose her beliefs or ideas on anyone else, as often is done with other belief systems/mainstream.

2):stone The underlying tone, that if "I" am different, that "I" should just fade into the "woodwork" ........is...........all I can say is "bunk"...............Just because my approach to life or outlook is different from possibly "mainstream", does not make me less valid as a person or a nurse.............My approach may be just what is needed..................

3):zzzzz I so agree that symbols are very important. Symbols have meaning to a group, country, culture, and to an individual. I have symbols that are of great import to me. The hammer and sickle, I agree is a powerful symbol of humanity and the star that denotes the five continents of our world's population. THE EARTH AS VIEWED FROM SPACE.........THERE ARE NO DIVISIONS SEEN THEN.

4) I also agree with the issue that in our health care and nursing care of our patients' that our belief systems do not have merit. The belief systems and needs of my patients do have merit and I do consider them in my care. As a health care worker, our place is to care with all of our knowledge for the patient and as warranted for those in the patient's circle. It is indeed enough of a powerful task. Very powerfully stated above and I would agree in toto'.

5) and last, this is just my humble opinion as a nurse and a person...............take it as such...............

bye now,

micro:p

[kittyw]

Christianity was not mainstream 2000 years ago.

[rebelwaclause, ASN, RN]

....Sigh....I bet, Buddha, Jesus, Yahweh, Twigs and all get a kick outta us. Like the "Pepsi" thread, I can imagine them saying:

"Baby...It's about your heart an our relationship. Otherwise, it ain't that deep"

[donmurray]

Cultural difference here. I have no idea what most of my colleagues' religious preferences are, they are personal to themselves. If any of us were to suggest decorating the nurses station with religious symbols of whatever flavour, they would be thought to be a little odd.

[mario_ragucci]

Originally posted by micro

humanity and the star that denotes the five continents of our world's population. THE EARTH AS VIEWED FROM SPACE.........THERE ARE NO DIVISIONS SEEN THEN.

Hey Micro - are you insinuating that I am a spaceman? Lol. It's lonely out in space, on such a timeless flight :-)