Link to article: When Faith and Work Are at Odds - New York Times
An increasing number of Americans are non-Christians, and this trend will continue for the foreseeable future. Americans should understand that religion and culture as we understand them are not the same for everybody. Employers and schools, in particular, must increase their awareness and understanding of their employees' and students' religious needs. For one thing, blind observance of traditional American holidays under the assumption that it is what everyone wants, needs, or expects can create unwanted problems. Not only Muslims but also Jews, Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, and others do not celebrate most of the "traditional" American holidays. Many of these people would have serious objections to being asked to dress up as a witch or an ax murderer, for example, and they probably wouldn't be too keen on dealing with others who are. These practices do not belong in the workplace, and they certainly have no place in public schools, no matter how fun they may seem to some.
In addition to holidays, employers and schools should be be considerate of other facets of their employees' and students' personal choices. These include food choices, schedules, and issues of modesty. Cafeteria lunches or pizzas ordered for meetings or classroom celebrations don't all have to include ham, pepperoni, and sausage. Pork is not the only meat. In fact, there should always be a vegetarian choice anyway, right? When all else fails, ask. Don't assume. Different religions have various scheduling requirements too. Allow your Muslim students and/or employees to take a short break for prayer times and to have an extra hour for lunch on Fridays. And don't force people into situations where they are uncomfortable, particularly when it comes to clothing. If people don't want to undress, go to the bathroom, or shower in front of others, they should not be required to do so.
America is a society of many cultures and religions. This is one of the most beautiful things about our country. Allowing individuals to exercise their personal religious choices, especially when it does no harm to anyone else, will only strengthen the bonds that tie us all together as Americans and as human beings. Suppressing others' beliefs and practices by imposing your own traditions only adds to unnecessary tensions and frustrations.
An increasing number of Americans are non-Christians, and this trend will continue for the foreseeable future. Americans should understand that religion and culture as we understand them are not the same for everybody. Employers and schools, in particular, must increase their awareness and understanding of their employees' and students' religious needs. For one thing, blind observance of traditional American holidays under the assumption that it is what everyone wants, needs, or expects can create unwanted problems. Not only Muslims but also Jews, Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, and others do not celebrate most of the "traditional" American holidays. Many of these people would have serious objections to being asked to dress up as a witch or an ax murderer, for example, and they probably wouldn't be too keen on dealing with others who are. These practices do not belong in the workplace, and they certainly have no place in public schools, no matter how fun they may seem to some.
In addition to holidays, employers and schools should be be considerate of other facets of their employees' and students' personal choices. These include food choices, schedules, and issues of modesty. Cafeteria lunches or pizzas ordered for meetings or classroom celebrations don't all have to include ham, pepperoni, and sausage. Pork is not the only meat. In fact, there should always be a vegetarian choice anyway, right? When all else fails, ask. Don't assume. Different religions have various scheduling requirements too. Allow your Muslim students and/or employees to take a short break for prayer times and to have an extra hour for lunch on Fridays. And don't force people into situations where they are uncomfortable, particularly when it comes to clothing. If people don't want to undress, go to the bathroom, or shower in front of others, they should not be required to do so.
America is a society of many cultures and religions. This is one of the most beautiful things about our country. Allowing individuals to exercise their personal religious choices, especially when it does no harm to anyone else, will only strengthen the bonds that tie us all together as Americans and as human beings. Suppressing others' beliefs and practices by imposing your own traditions only adds to unnecessary tensions and frustrations.
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