Fla. man says Home Depot fired him over God button

Originally posted by Seiko
reply to post by Annee

 

Is this comparable to the free speech zones in the big summits and conventions?

I think confusing the issue of public thoroughfares and private property is confusing to the conversation here. I may not like what others want to say, but I believe strongly in their ability to say it.

I wasn't taking it as far as being specific - other then freedom to proselytize publicly in designated areas.

Just generalizing. Beyond that should go into its own thread.

Regarding the OP, the problem I see here is inequality. I have shopped at Home Depot and have seen the buttons, patches, hand drawings, etc. on the aprons worn by the employees. There may well be a "blanket company policy" prohibiting such, however, it is not enforced as a "blanket" policy. Next time you are in one of their stores, look for yourselves.

I'd guess there is way more to this story. Particularly since it appears he had worn the button for over a year.

Once again, though, I am stunned by some of the posts concerning religion. Exactly how does the wearing of a religious symbol or saying harm a non-believer? How does the sight of a cross, a nativity scene, etc. cause someone physical, psychological or emotional pain? What is so difficult about simply ignoring something "religious", rather than creating a whole scene? How does one become so insecure as to allow themself to be so greatly offended by an inanimate object or written words?

Does freedom of speech not include religious speech? If not, then who has the list of what speech is allowed and what is not? Isn't this attitude somewhat arrogant and elitest?

I'll tell you, it gets pretty old reading posts, ad nauseum, declaring one person or group of people as being "stupid", "idiots", "ignorant", etc. because of their religious beliefs. When I see a thread with a title using a defamatory label to describe a religious person or group, I just ignore it. Why can't others just do the same, rather than feeling compelled to post in a religious oriented thread for the sole purpose of spewing hate? I just can't comprehend that mentality.



[edit on 29-10-2009 by WTFover]

Originally posted by WTFover
How does one become so insecure as to allow themself to be so greatly offended by an inanimate object or written words?

Insecure? Wanting equality is insecure? Freedom from is just as valid as freedom for.

However - for me its about changing E Plurbus Unim to "In God We Trust"

It's about putting "under god" in a pledge written by a Socialist.

Christians have tried to make America a Christian nation. What may seem insignificant - is not.

I was raised Christian - - by choice I am no longer.

reply to post by WTFover


I guess you missed the part where they offered to give him a home depot version of the button that said the same thing essentially but was company approved.

People just don't get what allowing one guy to wear his own slogans would do to a major company. It allows others to wear union buttons without recourse or even buttons that say I hate obama or bush. If he can wear what he wants then somebody else can have a burn the jews button or I love hitler with a swastica button.

It has zero to do with what the button actually says itself. All the badges and vendor buttons are approved by management that you see people wearing and they are very keen on watching for it because of the union aspect.

reply to post by whoshotJR


I guess you missed the part where I said the employees of my local HD store are permitted to wear buttons, patches and hand drawn slogans, pictures, etc on their aprons, that are not store issued. So, there is no "blanket" enforcement of the company policy prohibiting such. When this is plainly visible, I have to wonder what is really going on , in this case.

[edit on 29-10-2009 by WTFover]

reply to post by Annee

Wanting equality is insecure?

How is wanting to stifle someone's freedom of speech, because it might be "offensive" to you, equality?

Freedom from is just as valid as freedom for.

Freedom "from" is simple. Just don't participate. No one is going to hog-tie you and force you into a religious service. See, you are free. Besides, the Constitution of our great nation guarantees the freedom of religion, not freedom from being offended.

reply to post by WTFover


First off - you don't want to get it.

Did I say someone wearing their belief is offensive?

Originally posted by WTFover
Once again, though, I am stunned by some of the posts concerning religion. Exactly how does the wearing of a religious symbol or saying harm a non-believer? How does the sight of a cross, a nativity scene, etc. cause someone physical, psychological or emotional pain? What is so difficult about simply ignoring something "religious", rather than creating a whole scene? How does one become so insecure as to allow themself to be so greatly offended by an inanimate object or written words?

I would not be offended to see such. I think it reveals a lot about the person you are dealing with. If someone wants to wear a flashing light on their head that says "I am gullable", they are entitled. (If its not against company policy that they agreed to when they were hired!)

The problem I have is that because of wearing such paraphenelia, some of these people think it gives them the right to prostelytize along with it.

I don't want to go into the store for a heater and have to listen to some diatribe about how praying can keep you warm.

reply to post by WTFover


Take some pictures and prove it for me. about 7 years ago I worked for The Home Depot and i can tell you that the badges and stuff they get are from the stores.

And I guess you missed that they offered him the same button just a store approved version.

Originally posted by whoshotJR
reply to post by WTFover

 

Take some pictures and prove it for me.

Not necessary. Go look for your self. I stated a fact and could really care less whether or not you believe it.

And I guess you missed that they offered him the same button just a store approved version.

"One Nation Under God, Indivisible" and "United We stand" are not the "same button". It may be an acceptable sustitute to you, but, obviously, it was not to Trevor Keezer.

Personally, I don't care what someone else wears. There are bigger fish to fry. If Trevor violated a store policy that is enforced equally, so be it. However, I know this is not the case.

reply to post by WTFover


Correcting a grammatical error in my previous post....

I meant to say I really could NOT care less...