Beth

[Beth]

Even when I was a Christian I didn’t really understand the trinity. They’re all God but they’re also three separate things? Doesn’t make sense, and I doubt most Christians could explain it in a way that does make sense.

[Beth]

Update: there wasn’t an initial response from HR to my anonymous letter, but today we received another bereavement email and it said “Condolences” instead of “Thoughts and Prayers”! Of course, it still concluded by saying the family would appreciate our prayers, but that doesn’t bother me as much because it doesn’t sound like the request is coming directly from the company.

[Beth]

I do. Plus, I express myself better in writing than in verbal communications. 🙂

[Beth]

@Strega I prefer to stay anonymous, not because I think the HR rep would blab or that the company would retaliate, I just don’t want to have a target on my back in case it gets out that someone complained and there is a personal response from my fellow employees. (The majority of them are Christians, and I can totally see a “But how could anyone possibly be offended by this? How dare they??” response.)

Also, I think it’s important they know that someone *is* offended by the religious language. Of course they should clean their act up either way, but it would be an important indicator that they need to take their EEO responsibilities more seriously.

[Beth]

I did a little more research on the EEO laws (including my own company’s policy), and I can’t quite make out whether this really does violate the law or not–it seems to be a bit of a gray area. While I do agree with Simon that this isn’t an egregious example of religious discrimination, the religious tone of the email is making at least one employee uncomfortable (and who knows how many others–I’m pretty sure I’m in the minority in this position at my company, but it’s quite possible others feel the way I do and just haven’t spoken up) and it seems like I’m within my right to say something to HR.

I prefer the cover of anonymity, not because I fear retaliation from my company (I know I’m legally covered there, and in all other aspects this company treats its employees really well–this thoughts and prayers things is its only offense so far since I’ve been working there), but because I don’t want it to seem like I’m making a sensitive situation (the death of a loved one) all about me.

They do have good intentions sending these emails out, but I think that religious language should be struck entirely, as it’s inappropriate in a company-wide email. They should say “condolences” or “sympathies” instead.

[Beth]

Haha! I’ll start with a politely worded (anonymous) letter and go from there. I’ll definitely be keeping a paper trail just in case I do need to get the FFRF or ACLU involved.

[Beth]

@_Robert_ That’s the Midwest for you.

[Beth]

@_Robert_ The emails come from the executive assistant, and I’m not sure who is giving her the orders to send these out (or if she is doing them of her own volition); I’m guessing HR gives her the notice of death. So yes, it’s different than if my coworker sends a private email to a few other coworkers asking for prayers (I’ve gotten these before too), because it’s going out to everyone in the company.

[Beth]

I don’t think it’s outright discrimination, and we’re not being forced to pray, which is why I’m worried I’m overreacting. I just don’t think “keep so-and-so in your thoughts and prayers” is a statement that should come from your employer in a company-wide email. I do read it as an outright request to pray, and that’s what upsets me.

[Beth]

So now I’ve noticed that both TA and AZ are up. Which site are people using? I notice there’s a little bit of recent activity on TA. Are they now two independently operating sites?

[Beth]

I loved this book too! Normally I don’t like alternating first-person perspectives, but I thought it was done really well in this case. And as you said, such beautiful writing.

[Beth]

@Winter Lily I read that book too and I cried at the end it was so beautiful!
My favorite book(s) ever is the His Dark Materials trilogy by Philip Pullman. I love how he takes the theme of original sin and turns it completely upside down.

[Beth]

I don’t know if it’s up for vote but I actually prefer the lighter background here to TA’s darker one. But I agree the font should be darker as it is a bit hard to read.

[Beth]

Not sure about why fewer women identify as “none”, because it seems to me religion is generally unkind to women (with the exception of some more liberal denominations). I couldn’t identify with a religion that blamed my gender by proxy for all human suffering and expects me to be silent and submissive.
I do find it disconcerting that most public atheists are male. I can’t come up with the name of a famous female atheist at the top of my head. A lot of people are probably under the impression that all atheists are angry white guys!

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