Remnant of God - Workplace Deception

[Oblio]

So today at work I find my pocket NT on top of the towel dispenser in the restroom. I don't recall leaving it there (though I could have even though I am careful not to) and think nothing of it. Reading through it later today I notice that there are markers and highlights in the book. I've been using one post-it note type removable marker to hold my place but I don't recall any other markers, and I don't highlight my Bibles any more. So I look closer at the 'Sign Here' markers and they have scribbling on them, hard to read, saying Rome this, and Vatican that, another large post-it note in Acts that mumbles some bull about Havdalah service. In Revelation there is a post-it that says www.remnantofgod.org along with the usual highlighting and pointing at the beast and calling it Rome.

:sheesh: The nerve, some fundy whacko, sabbatarian (I think) marking up the word of God entrusted to someone else (me) :mad: I do think that whoever it is, and I have a good idea who, is pretty clueless as I make it obvious to most everyone that I am Orthodox, and I find the Chickian approach to 'evangelizing' a lost 'Catholic' amusing, if not sad.

PS - Anyone know what cult remanant of God is associated with ??

[/rant]

[HandmaidenOfGod]

Wow! Sorry to hear about that Oblio. :hug:

All I can say is, Lord have mercy.


In XC,

Maureen

[RobNJ]

PS - Anyone know what cult remanant of God is associated with ??

[/rant]

Looking around the site, it looks like people that have split off from SDA's

[Emmanuel-A]

Looks like a dissident SDA group.

[Emmanuel-A]

Looking around the site, it looks like people that have split off from SDA's

Wow, you were 1 mn faster.

[OnTheWay]

It would appear they call themseves the Roman SDA Church. The structure of which can be found here:

http://www.remnantofgod.org/flash/sda2rcc/SDA2RCC-menu.htm

[Oblio]

Thanks, my head gets dizzy reading those sites.

My suspect has been attending a local MJ group but for all I know he is SDAish and just been checking out the other sabbatarian sects. I know that he tends to be obsessed with Saturday worship, and has mentioned the Catholic church when we spoke about Orthodoxy. I was very careful to explain the differences between us and the RCC, aparrently not careful enough.

[OnTheWay]

Thanks, my head gets dizzy reading those sites.

My suspect has been attending a local MJ group but for all I know he is SDAish and just been checking out the other sabbatarian sects. I know that he tends to be obsessed with Saturday worship, and has mentioned the Catholic church when we spoke about Orthodoxy. I was very careful to explain the differences between us and the RCC, aparrently not careful enough.

I always found with a rather large core of the wild evangelicals and other cultist types the differences between the RCC and the EOC are either non-existant or irrelevant. You know we all worship Mary.:doh:

[Oblio]

OtW, I can't make it through all that wretched excess animation, but it looks more like a comparison of Roman vs. SDA on those pages linked on the page you referenced.

[RobNJ]

I always found with a rather large core of the wild evangelicals and other cultist types the differences between the RCC and the EOC are either non-existant or irrelevant. You know we all worship Mary.:doh:

And on Sunday, no less!!:eek:

[EvangeliGirl]

So today at work I find my pocket NT on top of the towel dispenser in the restroom. I don't recall leaving it there (though I could have even though I am careful not to) and think nothing of it. Reading through it later today I notice that there are markers and highlights in the book. I've been using one post-it note type removable marker to hold my place but I don't recall any other markers, and I don't highlight my Bibles any more. So I look closer at the 'Sign Here' markers and they have scribbling on them, hard to read, saying Rome this, and Vatican that, another large post-it note in Acts that mumbles some bull about Havdalah service. In Revelation there is a post-it that says www.remnantofgod.org (http://www.remnantofgod.org/) along with the usual highlighting and pointing at the beast and calling it Rome.

:sheesh: The nerve, some fundy whacko, sabbatarian (I think) marking up the word of God entrusted to someone else (me) :mad: I do think that whoever it is, and I have a good idea who, is pretty clueless as I make it obvious to most everyone that I am Orthodox, and I find the Chickian approach to 'evangelizing' a lost 'Catholic' amusing, if not sad.

PS - Anyone know what cult remanant of God is associated with ??

[/rant]

What a coward! Not to mention invasion of personal property. :sheesh: is right.

[Oblio]

I now this may sound weird, but I feel spiritually violated :(

[eoe]

Lame situation. You now have a marked up book and some jerk has obviously pegged your for an apostate papist. That sounds like a hostile workplace to me. You can fix that really fast if you can figure out who it was that did it.

on the other hand.... this brings up a strange question.

Is it proper to read certain materials in "the reading room"? Should one refrain from reading scripture upon the throne? What about other works?

[InnerPhyre]

Confront the man politely and ask him if he did it. If he did, kindly ask him to buy you a new Bible.

[OnTheWay]

IMHO, if one employee takes the property of another and damages it then at the very least he should replace the damaged property. I also think there should be some discpline handed out to correct this employee. The site that he referred you to as utter tripe like this:
http://www.remnantofgod.org/ratzinger.htm
In which the Bishop of Rome is called a Nazi and clearly impilies that he took part in the KZ system of NS Germany. This sort of religious bigotry has NO place in a work environment. Imagine what would happen if someone got a hold of a Muslim employee's Koran and marked up it with references to Osama Bin Laden?

[MrJim]

Turn the other cheek--do something good to him. By repaying evil with good you will be heaping coals upon his head. Bless those that persecute you...

(pardon me, my mennonite is showing ;))

[Indrid Cold]

You cannot be barred from bringing a bible into the "reading room" without there being a civil rights violation as far as I know - employers must make reasonable accomodations to supoprt the right to practice religion - it is unquestionale that someone can bring in a bible on what amounts to their own time.

If it happened to me (and every situation is different) I would bring it to my boss's attention immediately regardless of whether or not I knew who did it - it would be up to the employer to guarantee that there is no hostile work enviornment and discrimination (which this clearly is). I am the boss, and someone brought to my attention something similiar excelt it pointed to Fred Phelp's website. I triggered an Internal Affairs Invesitgation regarding the matter (all I will say on that).

[Indrid Cold]

Is it proper to read certain materials in "the reading room"? Should one refrain from reading scripture upon the throne? What about other works?

The employer can deem pretty much anything inappropriate to bring in to the workplace without infringing on the civil rights of others (i.e. Playboy, possibly Victoria's secret, KKK tracts,) but not reasonable religious material being used privately (Koran, Bible, etc.)

[Greg the byzantine]

Turn the other cheek--do something good to him. By repaying evil with good you will be heaping coals upon his head. Bless those that persecute you...

(pardon me, my mennonite is showing ;))
I think that sounds like a good idea. :)

[OnTheWay]

The employer can deem pretty much anything inappropriate to bring in to the workplace without infringing on the civil rights of others (i.e. Playboy, possibly Victoria's secret, KKK tracts,) but not reasonable religious material being used privately (Koran, Bible, etc.)

That's not accurate. A private employer can ban anything they want on their property so long as it is not done in a selective fashion. You don't have "civil rights" on private property. For example, an employer would be perfectly within their rights to say that employees may not bring religious books to work with them. On the other hand, you cannot say (provided your business is large enough for this to apply which varies according to state) the Bible is acceptable but you may not have a Koran. If you did this, say for example allowed the Bible but refused to allow books on Christian Identity you'd get sued and you'd lose. The US government, woefully at times, doesn't separate orthodox religion from the wild and often inane cult groups. This is why many employers just have an absolute ban on religious materials at work.
During the Bush and Kerry elections the courts upheld an employer's right to refuse to allow employees with pro-Kerry bumper stickers to park in his lot.

[eoe]

Clearly this employee has created a hostile workplace. No question there. My question was not regarding the employer's right to limit reading material... my question was more along the lines of... Is it ok to read scripture on the can? Is that disrespectful? Is it leaglism to think it is disrespectful?

I am an employer in the state of Georgia. I can tell you that in my state I can fire anyone for any reason whatsoever including no reason at all. I can fire someone because I do not like their new haircut. It really does not matter. So....

1 - Oblio is officially in a hostile work environment.
2 - He can take legal action.
3 - His employer can fire him for doing so as long as he does not explicitly state that as a reason.
4 - The guy that did this is a tool (power tool).
5 - it is a gamble to take any action at all without knowing what the employer's mindset might be.

[Oblio]

:)

eoe,

I understood your question, and I don't know the answer. Just to flesh out the specifics, I am blessed to be able to have Orthodox worship items in my office, I even have an icon corner :) Kinda goes with working in an offsite field office. I would not want rock the boat as far as that goes.

[Indrid Cold]

Civil rights end on private property?!?

I agree with the one poster who said I can fire anyone at any time for anything - you sure can, but get your checkbook out. If you fire someone for, say, being black, could be a problem there.

That type of discrimination including religious discrimination is protected under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and I was speaking in general terms since I am fully aware of the limitations of the act. I am not aware of any case challenged yet due to a person privately bringing in a bible to read on their time or break time - most of the issues have stemmed from public display of religious material. And yes, there are qualifiers for this . . .but as the OP said this is getting off-topic

[OnTheWay]

Clearly this employee has created a hostile workplace. No question there. My question was not regarding the employer's right to limit reading material... my question was more along the lines of... Is it ok to read scripture on the can? Is that disrespectful? Is it leaglism to think it is disrespectful?

I would never take Scripture into the bathroom. I'm not saying that I have some concrete iron clad reason based on Scripture or Tradition to hold that opinion, but I just don't feel the bathroom is an apporiate place for Scritpure. Nor would I agrue with someone that didn't see it as a big issue. I have zero problem reading theological works in the bathroom, just won't take a bible in there.

I am an employer in the state of Georgia. I can tell you that in my state I can fire anyone for any reason whatsoever including no reason at all. I can fire someone because I do not like their new haircut. It really does not matter. So....


The problem is he has to take this to the employer before he could have any real chance of winning in court. Now, if they refused to do something about this then absolutely it would be a slam dunk. But if he doesn't offer them the chance to fix the problem there is nothing to be done, assuming the offending employee is a peer. Now if he is management that is a whole different ball game.

[MariaRegina]

Do you think that sticky fingers ex-SDA thief took the bible from your icon stand?

[OnTheWay]

Civil rights end on private property?!?

I agree with the one poster who said I can fire anyone at any time for anything - you sure can, but get your checkbook out. If you fire someone for, say, being black, could be a problem there.

A black is a member of a protected class, this has nothing to do with the fact that an employer is completely free to tell you that you may not talk about religion, bring religious items to work, talk about politics, or bring political materials to work. In fact virutally every large employer has strict policy banning these types of items.

That type of discrimination including religious discrimination is protected under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and I was speaking in general terms since I am fully aware of the limitations of the act. I am not aware of any case challenged yet due to a person privately bringing in a bible to read on their time or break time - most of the issues have stemmed from public display of religious material. And yes, there are qualifiers for this . . .but as the OP said this is getting off-topic

No, his employment status cannot be changed, nor can he be fired for being a member of a religious group. However, that is where the protection ends. An employer is under no obligation to allow him to bring religious items to work, to talk about religion at work, or to give special treatment due to his religion (for example allowing Muslims extra breaks for required prayer times).
I don't think any employer would really care if someone brought a bible for their own personal use during break times. However, they are not under any legal obligation to allow it either.

Back to the topic, however, I would inform mangement of the issues related to this for a couple of reasons.
1.He had no right to deface your private property.
2.The anti-RCC website he directed you to and the defacement of your property could make this a hate crime. This would be akin to taking a black person's book and leaving the national alliance's URL in it.

[Indrid Cold]

A black is a member of a protected class, this has nothing to do with the fact that an employer is completely free to tell you that you may not talk about religion, bring religious items to work, talk about politics, or bring political materials to work. In fact virutally every large employer has strict policy banning these types of items.

No, his employment status cannot be changed, nor can he be fired for being a member of a religious group. However, that is where the protection ends. An employer is under no obligation to allow him to bring religious items to work, to talk about religion at work, or to give special treatment due to his religion (for example allowing Muslims extra breaks for required prayer times).
I don't think any employer would really care if someone brought a bible for their own personal use during break times. However, they are not under any legal obligation to allow it either.



One protected by race, one protected by religion. Everything you have described is protected under Title VII. Legally the employer has to accomodate the individual within reason. Title VII makes no provision whatsoever against political statements - the would-be bible carrier is also in a protected class (race, color, sex, national origin, religion). Under Title VII, an employer must reasonably accommodate an employee’s religion unless doing so would create an “undue hardship.”

[The Prokeimenon!]

Wow! This website is unbelievable! This is the kind of stuff that would make Jack Chick say "don't you think you're a little extreme?"!

Rdr Moses - servant of Baal

ps- how do these yahoos know so much about Babylonian religion?

[Oblio]

Do you think that sticky fingers ex-SDA thief took the bible from your icon stand?


I thought of that, though I can't be sure I didn't leave it there myself. The quandry is that if I left it behind then it could be considered lost property that he claimed, but as it had anti-RC notes left in it, it is clear that he knew that it belonged to me, and the only way he could know that is he has either seen it on my stand, or he took it from there, as I don't think he has ever seen me carry it. Also, the notes, especially the website address, were clearly left to proselytise the owner. There is also the off chance that it was a member of the cleaning crew, of whom I know nothing about, I may see if I can match the printing of the notes with samples from my suspect.

[MariaRegina]

I thought of that, though I can't be sure I didn't leave it there myself. The quandry is that if I left it behind then it could be considered lost property that he claimed, but as it had anti-RC notes left in it, it is clear that he knew that it belonged to me, and the only way he could know that is he has either seen it on my stand, or he took it from there, as I don't think he has ever seen me carry it. Also, the notes, especially the website address, were clearly left to proselytise the owner. There is also the off chance that it was a member of the cleaning crew, of whom I know nothing about, I may see if I can match the printing of the notes with samples from my suspect.

oooooh. The plot thickens.

We have a new Sherlock Holmes in TAW.

[Oblio]

The other really weird thing, is that this took some time ! Several books were meticulously highlighted, and place markers placed in it. It looked a bit like, no theological comparison intended, one of TLF's posts :)

[Indrid Cold]

Wow! This website is unbelievable! This is the kind of stuff that would make Jack Chick say "don't you think you're a little extreme?"!


LOL! Line of the day . . .

I've ran into a few serious whackjobs online, but for some reason I actually just got physically ill looking at this sight. That's a first . . .weird

This is the same kind of hate filled ignorance that has someone defile someone else's bible, and deface it with anti-Catholic propaganda to an Orthodox believer nonetheless! Service of God? . . . :mad::sick:

Time to cut off line and go cleanse my eyes or something . . .

[MariaRegina]

Poor TLF! :D



Whoa.

Only 13 days until Loucas is born.

Is his birth planned or is that by his estimated due date?

[Oblio]

Planned, or in Geekspeak: <= 13 days :)
The original DD was the 12th

Reports are all indications are normal.

[Jebediah]

So today at work I find my pocket NT on top of the towel dispenser in the restroom. I don't recall leaving it there (though I could have even though I am careful not to) and think nothing of it. Reading through it later today I notice that there are markers and highlights in the book. I've been using one post-it note type removable marker to hold my place but I don't recall any other markers, and I don't highlight my Bibles any more. So I look closer at the 'Sign Here' markers and they have scribbling on them, hard to read, saying Rome this, and Vatican that, another large post-it note in Acts that mumbles some bull about Havdalah service. In Revelation there is a post-it that says www.remnantofgod.org (http://www.remnantofgod.org/) along with the usual highlighting and pointing at the beast and calling it Rome.

:sheesh: The nerve, some fundy whacko, sabbatarian (I think) marking up the word of God entrusted to someone else (me) :mad: I do think that whoever it is, and I have a good idea who, is pretty clueless as I make it obvious to most everyone that I am Orthodox, and I find the Chickian approach to 'evangelizing' a lost 'Catholic' amusing, if not sad.

PS - Anyone know what cult remanant of God is associated with ??

[/rant]

That's crazy. My sympathies.

[OnTheWay]

Perhaps it's just me, but I find crazy types interesting. When I was writing my research paper on white separatism in the US I spent about two weeks talking to this Christian Identity "pastor" in Tacoma, it was a very interesting experience, but nothing I would care to repeat or recommend to others. I know how some modernists feel about the concept of possession, but I personally felt there were two very distinct writing styles in his e-mails. Not trying to pass judgement, but in sections that were "small talk" there was a decidedly different and seemingly less than well educated style. He would misspell common words (not typos because he would do it over and over with the same word) and the grammar was rather poor. However, when he shifted over and started in on Christian Identity "theology" it was like a completely different author. There were never any spelling or grammatical errors, and he seemed very well versed in Scripture and the rules of rhetoric. The modernists can say what they like, I am sure I had a two week e-mail exchange with a demon.

The "Nazi" types I talked to had a lot of anger which they placed into hatred for certain ethnic groups, but it was never anything like that Christian Identity "pastor." I really can't explain the difference in words.

[OnTheWay]

A very interesting parallel I noticed between our ex-SDA friend and my Christian Identity "pastor" would be their view of death. If you read this:
http://www.remnantofgod.org/Immortal.htm you get the basic idea of both in terms of what they believe happens after you die. I won't post a link to the CI site on this page, but if you'd like to read it feel free to PM me for it.
It's just interesting to note the strong denial of man as both material and spiritual being, and the reduction of man to nothing but material status. A very demonic jealousy if you will.

[repentant]

So today at work I find my pocket NT on top of the towel dispenser in the restroom. I don't recall leaving it there (though I could have even though I am careful not to) and think nothing of it. Reading through it later today I notice that there are markers and highlights in the book. I've been using one post-it note type removable marker to hold my place but I don't recall any other markers, and I don't highlight my Bibles any more. So I look closer at the 'Sign Here' markers and they have scribbling on them, hard to read, saying Rome this, and Vatican that, another large post-it note in Acts that mumbles some bull about Havdalah service. In Revelation there is a post-it that says www.remnantofgod.org along with the usual highlighting and pointing at the beast and calling it Rome.

:sheesh: The nerve, some fundy whacko, sabbatarian (I think) marking up the word of God entrusted to someone else (me) :mad: I do think that whoever it is, and I have a good idea who, is pretty clueless as I make it obvious to most everyone that I am Orthodox, and I find the Chickian approach to 'evangelizing' a lost 'Catholic' amusing, if not sad.

PS - Anyone know what cult remanant of God is associated with ??

[/rant]

OK so that I understand this correctly..someone stole your Bible and wrote in it trying to preach to you?

[MariaRegina]

Perhaps it's just me, but I find crazy types interesting. When I was writing my research paper on white separatism in the US I spent about two weeks talking to this Christian Identity "pastor" in Tacoma, it was a very interesting experience, but nothing I would care to repeat or recommend to others. I know how some modernists feel about the concept of possession, but I personally felt there were two very distinct writing styles in his e-mails. Not trying to pass judgement, but in sections that were "small talk" there was a decidedly different and seemingly less than well educated style. He would misspell common words (not typos because he would do it over and over with the same word) and the grammar was rather poor. However, when he shifted over and started in on Christian Identity "theology" it was like a completely different author. There were never any spelling or grammatical errors, and he seemed very well versed in Scripture and the rules of rhetoric. The modernists can say what they like, I am sure I had a two week e-mail exchange with a demon.

The "Nazi" types I talked to had a lot of anger which they placed into hatred for certain ethnic groups, but it was never anything like that Christian Identity "pastor." I really can't explain the difference in words.


Linguistically, he was codeswitching.

That is quite common among blacks, Hispanics, and all of us, for that matter. We do it without realizing we are doing so. It is an unconscious accommodating. Either we are diverging (showing our superiority and snubbing people) or converging (respecting others or "coming down to their level').

We diverge when we deliberately try to speak our best and toss in erudite words. Strutting our stuff, so to speak.

We converge when we try to pick up their accent and show solidarity, real or imaginary.

[Kolya]

My sympathy Oblio! They are ALL underhanded coward creeps! My sister is now anonymously mailing me a monthly SDA magazine. It goes straight to the trash! The will not and can not differentiate between the Vatican & us.

[choirfiend]

I think my priest was asked that question about reading the Bible in the bathroom. He said no, absolutely not ok to do. We keep the Gospels enthroned on the altar in a place of absolute honor. It's not appropriate to take into the restroom with us. It's kinda like, would you bring a toilet into the church nave and sit there...no?...then don't bring a part of the Church to your toilet.

[repentant]

I think my priest was asked that question about reading the Bible in the bathroom. He said no, absolutely not ok to do. We keep the Gospels enthroned on the altar in a place of absolute honor. It's not appropriate to take into the restroom with us. It's kinda like, would you bring a toilet into the church nave and sit there...no?...then don't bring a part of the Church to your toilet.

I asked my Priest a similar question once. I would take books I was reading about Saints, or what not with the Church in the bathroom with me, while I was doing a #2. I never thought about it, so one time I asked if it was ok to read in the bathroom. He said it was ok to read books, but to never take a Bible in there. I never did, but he made it quite clear that I don't ever do it, lol.

[MariaRegina]

I don't read in the bathroom. Reading puts me to sleep.

The two don't mix. :doh:

[repentant]

I don't read in the bathroom. Reading puts me to sleep.

The two don't mix. :doh:

So reading about Saints and such puts you to sleep? That devil he is so tricky..

[MariaRegina]

So reading about Saints and such puts you to sleep? That devil he is so tricky..

I was told not to do spiritual reading in the bathroom, so I brought my college texts in with me. And the rest is history. I fell asleep once on the throne and have not read on it since.

[repentant]

I was told not to do spiritual reading in the bathroom, so I brought my college texts in with me. And the rest is history. I fell asleep once on the throne and have not read on it since.

Yeah those put me to sleep too. It's a wonder how I passed. :sleep:

[The Prokeimenon!]

OK so that I understand this correctly..someone stole your Bible and wrote in it trying to preach to you?

HA! Ya- Oblio, you should get an inexpensive Bible, highlight "Thou shalt not steal" and put it on his desk.

Rdr Moses

[Melethiel]

Hehe. Reminds me of the time a Lutheran pastor I know found the Chick tract "Man in Black" in his mail box. Apparently a clerical collar automatically means papist. :P

[Melethiel]

I was told not to do spiritual reading in the bathroom, so I brought my college texts in with me. And the rest is history. I fell asleep once on the throne and have not read on it since.
Yeah...one time I had slept badly at night and was exhausted in the morning (luckily twas a weekend). I usually have a hard time falling asleep during the day, but when I started reading biology...:snore:

[Oblio]

OK so that I understand this correctly..someone stole your Bible and wrote in it trying to preach to you?


Pretty much. Though stole is probably too strong a word, he may have found it and used the opportunity to preach to me.

[Kolya]

Pretty much. Though stole is probably too strong a word, he may have found it and used the opportunity to preach to me.

It is totally beyond outrageous!

IS TOTAL OUTRAGE!!!:mad::mad::mad: