My husband was "forced to resign" today from an NRA call center for being an atheist.

Originally posted by schuyler
It depends on how much energy you have to pursue this, but you have acase if you want to make it. As a long-time NRA member myself, I have never encountered any religious bias on their part. I doubt they have a clue this is the policy of the sub-contractor. One way to pursue it would be to wrote to the NRA itself with a factual, non-emotional account of what happened.

This is a great idea. Thank you for that. I will definitely pass this on to my husband and make sure it gets done. What you said about the sub-contractor is probably right but don't you think its odd that they would force them to become members of the NRA if the call center is not run by the NRA? That would be like working for a call center that tries to sell Visa cards and being forced to have one.

The reason being blue, is that the constitution was built upon un-alienable rights by god, and the NRA does not want atheist in it's masses, or the constitution would read, "under governement we trust." fine line that the founding fathers came up with. But was only a matter of time that god would be stripped out, and government inserted.

Thus, your husbands delimia

While I don't entirely agree with everything the NRA does do politically, they have done more for our 2nd amendment rights than anybody else and probably without them American citizens would've lost their gun rights long ago. But I am a member of the NRA, and the NRA is a non-profit organization just like Planned Parenthood. I'm pretty sure that Planned Parenthood would have issues with somebody who is non supportive of abortion rights. Non-profit organizations tend to be very political and I don't think they have the same set of rules of a equal opportunity employer because of their status as a non profit organization.

What I really can't understand is why your husband would want to work a organization if he didn't support what they do? It doesn't matter who you work for, if you don't support what the company you work for is doing, you're not going to be a ideal employee. Basically your husband told the woman that NRA sucks! Every Monday we have our weekly safety meeting at work and I'm pretty sure if I stood up and said this company sucks, I'd be without a job too.

Sorry but I have to agree with the NRA on this one, I wouldn't want a employee with that kind of attitude towards what I am doing as a organization working for me either.

Originally posted by ProjectBlue
And I suppose the question was "what will you do for Easter." I don't really keep track of religious holidays. I knew it was one of these weeks. Sorry for the confusion.

Isn't Easter next weekend anyway?

But, as for the OP, sounds downright bloody illegal but he should NEVER have signed that paper they put in front of him as that will make life tricky. What would they had done if they had a black guy who was a muslim? Or an Indian Hindu?

Actually, thinking about it, sounds like they wouldn't have hired them at all. Maybe you could start a class action against them, there might be others who have gone for jobs and lost out because of race or religion? Where all the employees white?

Originally posted by allprowolfy
The reason being blue, is that the constitution was built upon un-alienable rights by god, and the NRA does not want atheist in it's masses, or the constitution would read, "under governement we trust." fine line that the founding fathers came up with. But was only a matter of time that god would be stripped out, and government inserted.

Thus, your husbands delimia

Forgive me if I'm wrong, but the US Constitution does not appear to contain a single reference to the word God...

This is classic -

I own guns, lots of them in fact and thus I always end up being called by the NRA. I have told them in no uncertain terms while I love my rights under the 2nd Amendment I find the very concept of an organization that does nothing but lobbies repugnant. That is even if that organization supports my views.

I would have sat in the office for years if they wanted to keep me there - they would have to pay me. I also would have sued them - you can't ask a potential employee certain questions. One of which is religion or lack thereof.

Originally posted by ProjectBlue

This is a great idea. Thank you for that. I will definitely pass this on to my husband and make sure it gets done. What you said about the sub-contractor is probably right but don't you think its odd that they would force them to become members of the NRA if the call center is not run by the NRA? That would be like working for a call center that tries to sell Visa cards and being forced to have one.

you can also try this
www.aclu.org...
Contact them and tell the story. See what they have to say.

reply to post by Smurfwicked


I agree with what you have to say about the NRA. I support their cause. I believe in the second amendment and the right of the people to be armed. Actually, its funny, because my husband and I had a debate the other day about the NRA and gun control and I took the NRA's side. I really don't want to live in a world where criminals are the only people who have guns!!

Because of many of the responses, I have considered that it was more the call centers fault then the NRA's, and we will be bringing the issue to the NRA's attention.

God works in mysterious ways.

reply to post by ProjectBlue


Before my job was outsourced to India I worked with a group of women that were all very very Christian.

I am spiritual not Christian.

But, while each day some of them talked of Jesus this and Jesus that, in order to keep my job - and if you anger your co-workers, particularly your boss, you can face discrimination that can lead to termination...........I kept my mouth shut.

Many people won't admit this but America in ways is just like the Islamic Muslims far too many fundamental zealous cram it down your throat and pick at you again and again like some kind of thought police.

Many people get very angry at others that do not share their "core beliefs".

Doesn't surprise me and I note your location is WV...............the south is noted for being Bible Belt Country.

Funny some of the blacks are the most zealous and they don't even realize the white plantation owners beat Christianity into them. They, like the Native American Indians embraced the White Man's God, not realizing most of them simply gave up their heritage and spirituality.

My best friend is a Native American and she never gave up her people's rich spiritual heritage.

“Men will never be free until the last king is strangled with the entrails of the last priest” - Denis Diderot quotes (French man of letters and philosopher, 1713-1784)

Religion (in my opinion) was invented to control and manipulate humanity.

We were meant to be spiritual not religious - big difference.

Some of the most obnoxious and hateful people I have met were very religious.

We were lucky enough to know a archeologist / ex Priest that studied ancient languages and was known the world over. He broke away from the Priesthood after 25 years because in studying and yes he was actually allowed to study some of the actual holy scriptures, he maintained that they were not translated correctly.

He also stated that many books were purposely left out so that humanity would not learn of his true potential.

Sorry your husband is out of a job, maybe he can sue?

Maybe he is meant to now travel a different road.

When I worked, I simply refused to discuss religion, politics or personal matters.............dangerous at work.

People have no right to know your spiritual beliefs.

Too many people now are pod people, they absorbed the gunk they were spoon fed and will never break free from cradle to grave.

reply to post by Smurfwicked


I both agree and disagree with you. I can understand that they may have gotten the impression that he said "the NRA sucks" by calling them a lobbyist organization, but at the same time it is the truth. What he meant by that is that he doesn't agree with money in politics and I agree with him. Its not just the NRA, its all lobbyist groups that we disagree with.

And also I can assure that, even though he didn't agree with the NRA, he would have been the best damn employee they had. When he was the host of that gospel show I mentioned in the OP, he was beloved by his listeners because he was dedicated to his job. For a while, he had the highest ratings of any show in that region of the state. He never let his person feelings get in the way of doing a great job, and when he left the station, they were inundated with calls from people saying that he was a good host and that he will be sorely missed.

Of course, managers at the call center didn't know that my husband was that kind of person. They just assumed that he could not preform the job.

I would certainly hope that the husbands story is true. The op should realize that she just made a statement of fact against a very large and powerful lobbying group. The term liable comes to mind. Lets hope not. True or not they are not someone that I would take on without all my "ducks in a row"

Originally posted by bourbon2nite
I would certainly hope that the husbands story is true. The op should realize that she just made a statement of fact against a very large and powerful lobbying group. The term liable comes to mind. Lets hope not. True or not they are not someone that I would take on without all my "ducks in a row"

See, this is one of the reasons why my husband just signed the resignation form and was done with it. I realize the nightmare that legal action would become. It would be turned into a long drawn out legal battle that would just perpetuate this bad experience. I don't really have much fear about posting this story on a forum. You realize the kind of garbage that people post on here every day, don't you? I'm sure I'm not the first person on the internet with a negative story about the NRA, and I probably wont be the last.

That old bag, um, excuse me "Lady", shouldn't get away with that-it will just embolden these nut jobs to continue to discriminate. It's understandable why he doesn't want a fight, but who's going to fight them? How long should reasonable people continue to tolerate the intolerable from fanatics?

I don't know how brave I would be in a similar circumstance. I keep mum about my opinions at work for the most part because I'm surrounded by christians and work for a christian charity.

They wouldn't let him leave

What exactly does this mean? Are you saying that they physically prevented him from leaving the room?

reply to post by ProjectBlue


It's the NRA, they're the enemy of logic/rationality...which doesn't go along well with atheism. Sorry your husband lost his job, but he's probably better off than working for those crooks.

Good luck with the job hunt

Originally posted by AlreadyGone
I am a Christian, and have been an on and off member of the NRA.

However, I would consult a lawyer and see if you have grounds for a lawsuit. What you believe is your business. Frankly, a person's religious beliefs have no bearing on gunrights and the 2nd Ammendment.

Having such conversations at a place of employment are a NO-NO. Having been in public work and management for more tham a few years, 3 things you never, never, never talk about at work is Religion, Sex, and Politics.

I think you have good grounds for a lawsuit.

I agree with this. Surely under equality laws the employer is not permitted to force religious belief on anyone.

Funny thing is if we were talking about Islam here instead of Christianity there would be outrage and hundreds of posts by the far-right - I guess it's not so bad when it's Christian extremists?

Originally posted by ProjectBlue
Later in the day, while they were on break, the old woman asked everyone to say what they did for Easter, and they all when around the room and told their stories. When it came to my husbands turn, he simply said "I didn't really do anything." and the old woman walked up to him, put her face in his face and said "Now, why is that?". My husband replied and said "Well, I am non-religious, and I don't really celebrate religious holidays." The old woman's face turned very red and she stormed out of the room.

The old woman was angry once she knew your husband was not religious because she obviously planned use God as an excuse to control him, and that left her feeling powerless. That is why she left the room. Because he stripped her of her power card.

She didn't feel comfortable having an employee under her who she had no power over, so she felt he had to leave.

I had an employer once where the big boss tried the "how would you pay off your house if you lost your job" card on me. When I told him I don't believe in a debt based life so I don't have a mortgage, he became angry too. He then said "well, what do you do with your money"?!! (I was earning over $1000 a week there).

"I bury it in case I lose my job"

I swear I saw steam coming out of his ears as he stormed off...

reply to post by ProjectBlue


If this story is true, he would have a lawsuit on his hands, but I hope you will quell my curiosity.

Do you and your husband support a person's right to bare arms?

The reason I'm asking is because of your ATS handle 'ProjectBlue'.
Blue represents the Democrats
www.chacha.com...

In the 2000 election, news media adopted Red as the Republican's color and Blue as the Democrat's.

and democrats are usually lobbying against gun ownership.
en.wikipedia.org...(United_States)

With a stated goal of reducing crime and homicide, the Democratic Party has introduced various gun control measures, most notably the Gun Control Act of 1968, the Brady Bill of 1993, and Crime Control Act of 1994. However, some Democrats, especially rural, Southern, and Western Democrats, favor fewer restrictions on firearm possession and warned the party was defeated in the 2000 presidential election in rural areas because of the issue.[110] In the national platform for 2008, the only statement explicitly favoring gun control was a plan calling for renewal of the 1994 Assault Weapons Ban.

answers.yahoo.com...

... there are vocal advocates of extensive gun control, and many of them claim to be attached to the Democratic Party. But the number of Democrats who would support their proposals is not large.

There does, however, need to be some recognition that guns are a danger, and one that cannot be met simply by having more firearms spread among the populace. The problem is that when a malefactor has a gun ready for use in a crime, he's got the advantage of surprise and preparation over anyone who uses guns exclusively for defense.

Another part that doesn't sit right with me is that you state that your husband agreed to lead prayer, yet was shocked to be asked about what he does for Easter and the way the "old woman" treated him. Why would he agree to such a thing, then flip flop? Maybe they felt as though he was being less than truthful with them.

Anyways, I hope you're not too offended by my curiosity. This is ATS and it's not strange to think that some members might have an agenda here. I just hope you aren't making things up in order to conduct some sort of smear campaign against the NRA and our right to bear arms.

reply to post by ProjectBlue


By my calendar, it isn't Easter yet, so I find it odd the lady was asking what everyone did a week too early...

Anyhow, since your husband is no longer employed by the call center, can you share the company name? I too am athiest and was once a member (no longer) of the NRA but this story is so perfect, it seems like a fictional smear campaign against the NRA. Is it possible that the call center isn't part of the NRA at all and just some random business with an NRA contract? It seems to me that the issue here is probably the nutjob christian lady and the other manager that sometimes prays with his cold-call recipients. I'd say the NRA should do a better job of selecting their vendors but sadly, these are probably exactly the types they want working with them.

Anyhow, I appreciate what the NRA does and they do support the 2nd amendment. However, it does seem that they are overrun with crazies.