This was originally in the "Other Conversation" part of the forum, but I thought I'd move it here to comment. Has anyone else found themselves in a difficult situation like Ava Rose mentioned? I have! When I taught in the Education Dept. @ Sea World of FL, I put in for vacation waaaaay in advance for Halloween because I did not want to be assigned to teach any Halloween-themed programs, as it is a "holiday" I do not observe nor want to participate in. My request was flat out denied citing a lack of instructors to teach. Not only was I given a framework for teaching an entire "spooky" Halloween class focusing on sharks, eels, etc. complete w/ trick or treating throughout the park BUT I was told I had to dress up! AND if I called in sick or did not comply w/ my assignment, I would be suspended! MAN! And just in case you are wondering, this was definitely a case of being singled out. In a dept. full of self-proclaimed evolutionary intellectuals, being a Christian was quite a challenge, but I can look back now and see how God was deepening my convictions and growing my understanding, faith, and trust in Him. My solution? I taught that class for pre-schoolers but w/ as little emphasis on Halloween as possible and total focus on the wonders of the animals we visitied. Did I dress up? I had to, so here was my "costume". I had a white t-shirt that said "LIFEGUARD" with the red lifeguard cross on the front but more the shape of THE cross, and it had a big, bold verse of scripture on the back and a saying something like "Son protection, so you don't get burned." I put a towel around my neck, and I think I had a whistle. Sunscreen on my nose. I wore flip flops and used eyeliner to draw the shape of the Christian "fish" symbol on my ankle like a tattoo. I think I had a WWJD bracelet and wore cross earrings. They never made me teach Halloween again! On the "Behind-the-Scenes" tours, we were required to teach the concept of evolution basically as fact. When we were evaluated, we'd get penalized if we failed to discuss evolution at a certain stop on the tour and after so many times, possible termination! So.....I put the emphasis on "SOME scientists believe that evolution...yada yada yada...." That it was a "THEORY" and go in much detail about the definition of the term "theory", sometimes having volunteers come up with an outrageous theory and having everyone vote on whether they believed it or not, then encourage everyone to check out the facts for themselves and not to take what they hear at face value based on "expert opinion". I did get evaluated, and did fulfill the requirement for mentioning evolution, and for some reason, was never pressured to do so again! Later, while doing shows @ Universal Studios in FL, I asked to be reassigned during their Halloween Scream Fest where I wouldn't have to directly participate in any halloweeny activities, which was declined....so I resigned. I have strong convictions against Halloween, and know that there are many perspectives on this event, but I was curious to know if any others have had belief-based challenges OTJ?
Good for you. If you feel that strong I'm glad you kept to your convictions. Sometimes though I think that God allows you to be placed in those settings to be a beacon. You did get that opportunity and hopefully some lives were changed just by your strong faith.
Wow Apple. That was at Sea World!?!? Now I know why I never cared for the place. We celebrate Halloween, in a way (T or Ting basically), but I most certainly would be appalled in this situation if I felt like I was convicted to not participate. What they did to you is unbelieble and totally disregarding your religious beliefs...a HUGE no-no if you ask me. I think you did a wonderful job by standing up for your convictions! I would have done the same thing had I been in your shoes. I would NEVER compromise my faith, for anyone!!! As hard as it is sometimes, God will always reward you for standing up for him and standing by your convictions.
Well, I haven't lost a job because of my faith, but I have lost friends because I wouldn't compromise. When I was 12, I had two close friends, we did everything together. They were step brother and sister to each other, and we hung out all the time. I grew up with my parents and family having a strong standing against ANY alcohol. That was a strong belief for me. One day I was over at these friends house, and the adults were out. So my friends ran to the fridge and got out the wine. They asked me how much I wanted and wasn't this so cool?! I said, "No it's NOT cool! We shouldn't be drinking this, and I don't want ANY!" Then the teasing started: "Baby", "Dummy", "Show-off", etc. I must say I was shocked! I thought we were good friends! I would've still been their friend, but from that point on they blacklisted me, and told even new kids that came to school that I was a loser and stupid, etc. So I always had a strike against me before these new people even tried to be my friend! They asked me a couple other times if I'd join them now and drink some wine, after all, it was very mild, and not worth losing friends over! But to me it was, and I never joined in, despite how sad I was about the situation! In school with the boys wanting more than you want to give, I lost the friendship of some of what I had thought were cool guys by refusing that one! In highschool, even though it was a Christian Private School, most of the so-called good kids (that the teachers held up as good examples!) also dealt drugs. Lost many friendships with that one, was made fun of, and felt like a total outcast! But, I felt it was right and needed to be done, and I look back now and am glad I did that! I haven't had problems of that nature in my adult life though.
It is hard standing for what we believe sometimes but God does want us too. Good for you. What a thing to share with your kids!! They will really learn from that too. Both stories too. Lorna
Lorna, You know, you're right! I think of Laura Ingalls Wilder writing all those amazing stories about her growing up years and think, boy, I wish I could remember stuff that happened that well! But I DO have stories like these that I can share! Thanks for that reminder! And I agree that you handled your stiuations VERY well, Apple. What a good example for living what you believe!
Wow, Apple! I am so proud of you! I can't wait to show your post to my beloved husband. It must have taken a lot of courage to do that. Can't you just imagine that the "great crowd of witnesses" mentioned in Hebrews 11 were standing up, clapping and cheering for you?!!! Maybe some day you'll see the harvest which your seeds planted. I'm sure you will. They were good seeds!
BTW, AppleOmyeye, I've thought of you several times this week, as I'm helping type a Master's thesis for a dear cousin of mine. How is your graduate work progressing? (You could answer on another thread, if you think that would be more appropriate.)
Wow, Apple, that is a great testimony! I know I have lost friends over strong convictions.....like not drinking and stuff like that. I haven't had to face this in the workplace, as I have not worked in some time. However, I know I would be glad to loose a job for Jesus. Afterall, He is the one that provides the jobs, right? Maybe one day I will be tested in this area and we will see if I can put my money where my mouth is....lol. I am pretty confident about it though. I once made mistake in the workplace as a teen. It wasn't a Christian issue but a racist one. I had a manager...when I worked at a retail store...that was a racist. She refused to hire any minornities. She made it clear that minorities were not to get applications. I thought I was doing some great thing by giving applications out to anyone that asked. Stupid me. I considered calling the main office...but a girl that worked with me discouraged it. She said she wanted to also but didn't want to see the manager loose her job...as she was elderly. I didn't want to make waves...afterall it was only a summer job. I always regretted that. I mean..this lady broke the law. She went against policy. Sure it would be her word against mine...all other workers were not willing to put themselves on the line...but it would be have been worth it. So, ever since then, I decided it was more important to stand on my convictions and whimper in the face of opposition. As a Christian, I can't imagine ever putting a job before my Lord. However, I think the Lord allowed me to learn from that experience to give me strength and conviction to not make that mistake again.
Thanks to all for the encouraging words! At first, I'd wondered if I'd done the wrong thing by posting 'cause no-one responded. But, WOW...the responses! During that time, God was really working on my spiritual development as I was newly saved and I guess I'm thankful that at the time, I didn't realize how much I was being (and was going to be) tested. He never gives us more than we can bear, but He also needs us to be willing and able to give, endure, or perservere beyond what WE think we're capable of. I can look back now and say I'm grateful for those times of testing because it made my faith that much stronger.
