Patriotism

Kath

My boss is a Jehovah Witness and today informed me that although he respects the American flag he does not pledge allegiance to it - he pledges allegiance to God - therefore I cannot display an American flag in my work area. Can someone please explain this to me? Thank you.

larc

Kath, Does your boss own the company? If not, you could go to upper management and make a formal complaint regarding his treatment of you. What is doing is clearly illegal.

Mackin

I agree with larc. He is expressing the official JW belief about national flags, but he has no right to impose that belief on you or restrict you from displaying the flag if you want to. What he does is his choice but he cannot force that choice on you.

Naeblis

What a convenient subject topic considering what's happening on the board today. Give me a break.

TheOldHippie

What I do not understand, is this: Why the **** would anyone like to display a FLAG in one's work area?

Naeblis

Duh! So you know what country you're in.

TheOldHippie

Ah! That self-evident fact never occured to me!

Sirona

JWs believe that Gods Government will destroy all other governments at Armageddon. They believe armageddon is going to happen VERY soon. Therefore they pledge allegiance only to Gods government. IF they were to salute the flag, they see that as some sort of idolatry.

I would certainly explain to the JW boss that he should respect your beliefs just as you respect his, and allow you to display a flag. Then again, you might find it easier to not argue and simply put it down to him being an asshole.

Sirona

Kath

Thank you so much for the intelligent reply you sent me regarding my question about the flag. I was very surprised by some of the extremely negative replies I received as opposed to ones such as yours that actually gave me an answer. I appreciate you taking the time to give me the answer you did.

Kingpawn

Kath,

The second commandment (Ex. 20:4,5) specifies not making an image of anything in heaven, on earth, or in the seas, and not to bow down/be forced to serve them. Since the flag has stars and the Pledge pledges allegiance to the FLAG of the USA, they see it as a violation of their religion to recite the Pledge. In 1943 they took a case to the US Supreme Court and won the right to not salute the flag or recite the Pledge. But he is indeed forcing his views on everyone and can't do so legally--violating your right to free speech if nothing else. (There's irony--violating the same Amendment that gives him the right to believe as he wishes!)

I have to disagree with Sirona when she suggests (maybe) not arguing the point. Granted it's going to maybe make tension at work, but if he tried to fire you and the company and/or public found out why they'd back down quickly. And if you're a good worker that'll help too. But my main reason is that if things like this aren't protested we get more and more used to the silence of submission.

Edited by - Kingpawn on 4 July 2002 5:5:6

Edited by - Kingpawn on 4 July 2002 5:6:33

Patriotism

Share this