Jesus and the workplace?

Question

As a Citizen of the United States of America we are granted the right to freedom of speech. It seems to me that as time goes on our rights to practice that are slowly deteriorating. Such as removing "One Nation UNDER GOD". I was sent home from work last night because i said "Jesus". I work in a kitchen that has view to people up front. I am a Christian, and when i get distressed i'll usually say "Jesus..." as a call for help. It was completely under my breath, my boss was just standing next to me and herd me say something. So he said to me... "You mean Jesum" and i said "Am i not allowed to say Jesus" "and he replied "Not out front your not" "So i walked out back in frustration". He followed me back, and said that i needed to go home and i was to take the night off. (Mind you he was already in a bad mood, and hungover from the night before.) Something similar had happened to my 11 year old sister at school.

I'm just curious as to what my rights allow and don't, and why it seems that people with religious views, are slowly being stripped of their right to speech. Christian or Non Christian.

I was told that i am allowed to express myself with my freedom of speech as long as i am not putting anyone in harm. (Like yelling fire in a movie theater.) Am i wrong?

Answer 1

You are not taking into account the way others at work might view you saying Jesus! in whatever tone it may be. Usually people take it as calling His name in vain. Which is what you are doing. It is similar to people saying God! when something goes wrong. So it isn't that non Christians don't like it. It is most likely that the Christians don't like it because they take it as an offense to Jesus because you are calling his name when something goes wrong almost as if to blame Him. Whatever the reason may be, it needs to stop. If you want to call yourself a Christians around others I suggest you listen.

They take God out of the pledge because not everybody believes in "God." Kids whose parents aren't Christian shouldn't be expected to say "God" in the pledge because they don't worship Him. You have to learn to more considerate of others.

Wow the anal s*x must have been fun for a good little Christian.

Answer 2

I think he kind of saw it as you swearing. Like if you mumbled the f word under your breath. Because a lot of people use "JESUS CHRIST" as a swear word. You know, saying his name in vain. especially in frustrating or bad situations. I think that's how your boss took it, not you calling out to Jesus for help.  

Answer 3

Basically, that confrontation was a mix of "the customer is always right" and a hangover.  If you say, "Jesus," it could upset a customer, and that's bad for business.  If they're Christian, they could see it as taking His name in vain, if they're not, they could see it as an offense to their religion (I'm talking about extreme cases here - most people wouldn't be either).  Also, your boss had a hangover, so he's going to be really irritable.  

If it was a teacher that criticized your sister for having religious views in school, talk to the principal.  If that doesn't work, talk to the superintendent directly.  Tell them that America was founded so that people could get away from religious persecution, and that if they don't do something to stop it, you'll have their job.  Believe me, an angry parent (or older sister) can get a lot done, especially if the other members of the school board are Christians, or at least reasonable people, whether atheist, Christian, Jewish, Muslim, etc., etc.  

You have every right to say, "Jesus," no matter your tone.  You have every right to say "Under God" in the Pledge of Allegience, and you have every right to put up a Christmas tree instead of a holiday tree.  And if someone tells you otherwise, find someone who has more authority than them.  Find a police officer and tell them that certain people are intruding on your right to freedom of religion.  

As long as you don't harm anyone, you can say anything you want.  

Answer 4

I understand what you are feeling. In my children's school at Christmas time they are not allowed to have a Christmas tree, it is a holiday tree. I think it is absolutely ridiculous. If you were to call a Menorah, Holiday candles you would be criticized. Where does it end.