Help me here.

[Ishoutandscream2]

The talk of the "war on Christmas" really gives me some laughs - both with the right wing political hacks and the funny threads we have here at DU. But, I think it has hit me personally.

I live in red hell. Politically conservative to the core, with our local teabaggers getting a lot of press in our local rag of a twice weekly newspaper. I have seen my community become mad as hell after Obama's election, and some of them seem out for blood.

The school district I work in has permitted the presence of the Gideons, and the yearly "At the Pole" gaterings are numerous on our campus. Forgotten are our Jewish, Hindu, Muslim, and students of other faiths - and yes, those Godless, evil atheists and agnostics.

I have gone through a spiritual journey myself. I have been studying eastern religion, and I have hooked up with the Hare Krishnas in Dallas. I guess you could call me a "closet" Krishna because I haven't become a total renunciate of the things the Krishnas call for. However, I really like their concept of life and of the passing of our souls, and the renunciation of the material world and how this is really just an illusion.

When I came back to work this August, I put a couple of things up in my office. I have a small picture of the baby Krishna up on one of my shelves, and another small picture of Caitanya, one who you would call the founder of the modern day movement who believed the ultimate in spiritual bliss is to chant the name of the Lord. I was so stoked with all of this, and on my voice mail message, I leave all of my pertinent information, and close with "Hare Krishna." To me, that is like saying "having a blessed day" or "God bless." No indoctrination on my part - just a happy greeting and parting.

Well, we're now in November, and my boss just came into my office. She is a wonderful person, and I have told her of my spiritual quests and my readings. She has been very sympathetic and has congratulated me on trying to find meaning in life. Well, she got wind that a parent complained about the end of my lenghty voice mail when I say "Hare Krishna." Of course, I was mad. This had nothing to do with separating church and state. This had everything to do with the fundies in our community who want to get rid of any other forms of thought and worship. She told me she understood this. So, I asked, I can't say "God bless you"? Or, for that matter, "Merry Christmas"? She said that was a good question.

I know some of you will say that it was inappropriate for me to make that last comment on my voice mail. And from you guys, I respect that. You will have legitimate reasons, I'm sure. But I guarantee you, this is a right wing nutjob who probably feels angered that her country is changing, and perhaps even her county. Yes, I'm mad about this. I just wanted to put this out there and get your thoughts and ideas. By the way, this person is remaining anonymous.

Thanks for reading, guys.

[Nikki Stone1]

1. K & R

:kick:

[Richard D]

2. OK . . .

I do respect your beliefs. Let's get that out of the way.
I also think that adding Hare Krsna to the end of a phone call with parents, or any other religious message is inappropriate. If I was talking with someone in an official capacity and they ended the call with "praise the baby Jesus", I'd be annoyed if not downright pissed.

[NYC_SKP]

3. +1 n/t

[timeforpeace]

4. Which side will win The BattleOf Intolerance and Proselytizing™? Tune in next week

[ZombieHorde]

5. If you want to mess with the fundies, you could try something like...

"Hare Krishna and have a very merry Christmas" or "Hare Krishna and God bless." Just an idea.

[Kali]

6. when I get things like that from a professional setting

my thought is "Unprofessional." and if I got it from a public school/govt situation I might even complain.

Your spiritual journey is none of my business.

[The Straight Story]

7. People just need to not be so whiny IMHO

Is anyone really offended by such things as 'have a blessed day', 'Merry Christmas', etc????

Are we not a melting pot and a country full of diverse people and beliefs?

If the beliefs of others scare you (not you the OP, meaning in general) then maybe you belong in a country where yours is the only view so you feel safe.

I hate it when people get all whiny because someone passed along a greeting that they think is all scary and hurts them.

[Kali]

8. There is no god, have a nice day.

Satan rules, have a nice day.

Religion has NO place in a govt/public school setting and frankly I try not to patronize any businesses that are blatantly religious (almost always x-tians, of course). Am I afraid? Of the individual? No. Of the insidious infliction of religion on those who choose not to participate and the consequences that eventually happen when we aren't vigilant about it? YES!

[MineralMan]

9. I'm sort of an equal opportunity objector.

For a business or, especially, a public school to include any sort of religious statements in its communications is inappropriate, in my opinion. Neither businesses or schools deal only with people of any single faith.

Since some are upset by declarations of faith, but none are upset if no declarations of faith are made, then no declaration is appropriate.

Your beliefs are, of course, your beliefs, and I would not discourage you from having them. However, they are none of my concern, nor are they of any interest to me. Unless your job deals with religion, why would you insert a religious message in your communications. Of what relevance are they to the communication? If the answer is "none," then I suggest you leave them out.

Hare Krishna, Have a blessed day, blessed be, or whatever. That's your business and none of mine. I don't care what you believe. Please don't ask me to. Believe as you choose and leave me out of it, please.

[verges]

10. I think you were perfectly within your rights.

Unless "God bless" or "Merry Christmas" or any other religious reference were also banned. That said, I would not have a problem with yours, or any other short religious blessing on a voice mail. even if it was on the school's voice mail. Including religious doctrine in curriculum is an entirely different matter however!