Disciplined for showing faith symbol

[daniel]

I think that most, if not all, posters so far have missed the bigger picture. That is one of health and safety.

With such a gigantic palm cross on display it would not take a huge amount of imagination to forsee that someone unfortunate enough to be so underwhelmed by the size and stature of the said offensive (palm cross),  to negociate the road in such a way as to be taken from this world prematurely by the very vehicle carrying the obstructing item.

All vehicles should clearly be the same size shape colour etc etc
there you have it multiculturalismnonracialisticpoliticalycorrectliberalism 

[Boudi]

   Surely the van is checked on a regular basis.  As such, it would smack of hypocrisy on their part - and I can see why the guy is querying the decision.

I doubt the vans are checked regularly at all.  They were part of the same Authority as me, and all we have is a daily check sheet.  The only thing that would vaguely cover this would be the box that says 'cab clean and tidy'.  Otherwise it would be down to a random check by Fleet enforcement. 

One of my team is a Daily Express reader, and typically it came up there.  He'd brought his palm cross in that he'd had for years, as well as a glint in his eye, but both of them agreed that since it's not his van he can't dictate the rules.

Perhaps he should check what the Bible says about submitting to eathly authorities.

[AndyHB]

Perhaps he should check what the Bible says about submitting to eathly authorities.

Without a exact check, about the same as it talks about standing against unjust rules and placing God's rules before man's.

[Boudi]

what does God say about decorating work's vans then....

[Martin]

Martin, lest you forget, Palm Crosses are not the 'run of the mill' crosses that you buy.  They will have been given out on Palm Sunday (hence their name) and, for some people, have a greater significance than a silver or jewellery cross.  That is why I pointed out the nature of its construction/material.  I don't know if this guy regards it differently to a metal one, but the fact that it is a palm cross does seem to have been quite prominent in the reporting.

I know what a palm cross is Andy.  If they're intended for anywhere, they're intended to be kept in the home, not in someone else's van. But I dare say that, if for some reason I really felt I needed to keep it with me, then I could devise some way of keeping it about my person. (Or, in short, You are being ridiculous).

[Martin]

what does God say about decorating work's vans then....

[JJ]

funnily enough i've seen a few vans with crosses - an agronomist friend of mine - self employed!  has one in her Land Rover.  They are handed out on Palm Sunday and one wants to do something with them, I suppose - not quite like going out especially to buy a sliver crucifix.  I had up to a dozen of them around the house after several concentrated years of Palm Sunday attendance.

[ecuworrier]

Isn't the first question to ask....is it his van?  If it isn't then he has to be bound by the rules of the owner.  I think this is a van very local to me, belonging to Wakefield Distric Housing, an arms length local authority company.  I was surprised when during the last world cup that we had an edict coming out allowing a small flag in the van, though it must be removed on the day of the final.  There are plenty of companies/authorities who are particular not to portray an individuals choices as those of the parent company.

don't they know football is a religion and nationalism in football is too.. did they object to the display of polish flags or french flags or the like?


GOD BLESS!

Peace and Love,

[ecuworrier]

I just think it is so petty. Someone could be really good at their job, a caring hard working person (whatever their faith) and end up losing their job just for having a symbol of their faith  in their car or van. A 'girlie' mag or page 3 paper, left on the passenger seat would probably not have caused so much fuss!

aNOTHER religion

[Boudi]

Isn't the first question to ask....is it his van?  If it isn't then he has to be bound by the rules of the owner.  I think this is a van very local to me, belonging to Wakefield Distric Housing, an arms length local authority company.  I was surprised when during the last world cup that we had an edict coming out allowing a small flag in the van, though it must be removed on the day of the final.  There are plenty of companies/authorities who are particular not to portray an individuals choices as those of the parent company.

don't they know football is a religion and nationalism in football is too.. did they object to the display of polish flags or french flags or the like?


GOD BLESS!

Peace and Love,

any flag was allowed, but limited size and time period

Of course the whole thread here is skewed by the fact that he was disciplined for disobedience, not for the display of a palm cross

[AndyHB]

Of course the whole thread here is skewed by the fact that he was disciplined for disobedience, not for the display of a palm cross

Whilst not up to complete speed with all the details, Boudi, I think that he was disciplined because he happened to contravene a particular rule with a particular item - after all, most people will decorate their van cabs with something (even if unpaid parking tickets, I've seen in one case!!).  This particular item causes offence but, interestingly enough, not particularly amongst those who are usually cast as the offended - Muslims, Hindus, etc.

[saundthorp]

Just for the record, common sense did prevail in the end! 

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1379410/Christian-electrician-Colin-Atkinson-wins-battle-display-cross-van.html

[AndyHB]

Just for the record, common sense did prevail in the end! 

I wonder what the authorities thought about the support shown to Mr Atkinson by those who are so often deemed to be 'offended' by such symbols?  I wonder whether other organisations/authorities will now reconsider their approach to the banning/renaming of religious events, and actually say what they mean by such actions rather than 'blaming' the action on the perceived attitudes of ethnic minorities.

Interesting to see that the original complaint was anonymous, and suggested that tenants 'might be offended' by the displaying of the cross.  Whilst organisations ought to respond to 'named' comments, anonymous ones claiming to speak for others should really be treated for what they are - unrepresentative of anyone's opinion.

Also interested to read that Mr. A. was supported by the Unite union rep.

[Boudi]

and what of when Steven Green, or a hundred others of this or that Alliance, or Voice, who claim this that or the other on behalf of the dumb and oppressed masses?  Are they not just a sounding brass as well?

[AndyHB]

and what of when Steven Green, or a hundred others of this or that Alliance, or Voice, who claim this that or the other on behalf of the dumb and oppressed masses?  Are they not just a sounding brass as well?

Just because we have a couple of daft/whacky/call them what you will Christians who claim to be spokesmen (and they usually are men!!) for believers, doesn't mean that others should follow their lead