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Does my God have the same name as your God…and do you know his name?
December 21, 2011 08:58 PM EST views: 150 | 2 people recommend this | comments: 7This was asked of me today, but a fellow worker…A Jehovah witness that I have worked with for some time now, 6 years to be exact.
You may ask why this came about, or even came a part of our conversation. This is the Christmas Season, and seriously I am all about Christmas…But also I don’t judge or condemn anyone else for their religious beliefs. But her children come to the restaurant where we work every day when they get out of school. They wait an hour or so for her to get off work. They had gifts from school, not wrapped, but gifts and she was so upset over this. She threw them away in the trash. The gifts were gloves, a hat, and a scarf. She said quickly we don’t celebrate Christmas or any other holiday…And I have told the teachers…So why do they keep giving them things when I ask them not to…
Actually I knew that she was a Jehovah Witness and have always known since day one of working with her. For throwing things away and the real reason that I am upset, is because in telling her children there wasn’t a Santa Claus while there were a number of children that were in the restaurant that were between the ages of 7 and nine or so. Some were setting at a table near her children… She spoke to her children telling them loud and clear that there wasn’t a Santa Claus or any other mystical human that would bring those gifts or anything else. And I have told you not to believe and you still do…We are Jehovah witnesses…what part of that don’t you understand.
Then talking to her about telling her children in front of customers about her beliefs shouldn’t happen. This is when she asked me if my God the same God as hers was, and if I knew his name. Seriously I am not against anyone’s religion, or what they choose to believe…The point is she should respect others, mostly at her place of employment, as I respect her religion. Don’t put me down for what I believe and I won’t put you down. But she is an employee, and she should choose to act and represent the place she works for.
This is a woman that accepts Christmas Cards from Customers with money in them, are you shaking your head yet? If you don’t celebrate Christmas, then why do your accept the cards with money? Why don’t you refuse them and practice what you peach. I asked her, and she explained it off as it is the service I give to them the whole year long! It isn’t a gift, but it given in a Christmas card. Really, then why can’t your children accept a scarf, socks and a hat…? Because it is a gift…Really what is the difference? Mind your own business, this business is mine…she explained.
Sorry I know the name of your God, but I know the name of my God and I know the name of my judge at the end of my time on earth. I am not judging her, just upset with her for forcing her beliefs on the customers and me, throwing stuff away, if she didn’t want her children to have it ask if someone else wanted them and even asking me if I know his name, it may not be the same name she calls him, but I know him, he has saved me, he has been there for me, and he always listens when no one else does. So her asking me this hurt my feelings, I have always treated her good; I don’t judge her for her religion so what gives her the right to judge me, she doesn’t have the right or the position to do so, And yes this hurt my feelings.
Christmas is a highlight of my year, seeing relatives, spending time with family, and looking forward to giving and receiving gifts. A major family dinner to die for and also being a Grandmother now, enjoying my Grand-daughters Christmas Eve and looking forward to Santa Claus as a family tradition. Don’t judge me on my family traditions, and I won’t judge you.
My family traditions are what I was raised on, and you may not agree. My family means a lot during this holiday time, gathering together, eating, and enjoying each other’s company. Christmas Eve Traditions, loving, is spending time together. Really it isn’t all about the gifts, being together, seeing people you haven’t seen all year. Okay, there isn’t a Santa Claus…it is fun…The tracking of the sleigh etc. But truly the reason for the season is Jesus…Jesus is the reason for the season. But this holiday comes but once a year. And my Grand-daughter will know Jesus, and My God….or actually her God and she will know his name. And hope she sees a little Santa time along the way…the magic human mystical being of Santa Claus.
So some of we see things differently than others, is it because of how we were raised? Agreed I don’t want you to push your beliefs on me, and agreed I won’t push my beliefs on you…Actually I wouldn’t disrespect your beliefs so don’t disrespect mine.
The whole subject of this conversation and how she handled it in confronting her children in the place where we work in front of the customers that keep us in a job, with her beliefs. You work where people celebrate Christmas; you work where customers celebrate Christmas. We shouldn’t have to bow to you, or shy away from our Christmas Spirit just because you don’t celebrate.
And actually My God is the same God as yours you just call him a different name.