My life, morals, values, and opinions do not
align with those of the popular culture’s religion in my neck of the woods.
Duh.
But I feel like I’ve done a decent job of
accepting that this is indeed the popular culture and I am to respect that in
places like work, school and other public forums like the Wells Fargo I
frequent.
This weekend for Pride I will be wearing my
Rainbow Brite costume, each month I give money toward the Human Rights
Campaign, and I love Barack Obama unconditionally.
Today, we had a “monthly mingle” at work. We
are usually treated to cookies or some other small goodie and it is a generally
nice 20 minutes of social time honoring those whose birthdays fall in each
month.
Today, those with May birthdays shared their
monthly treat and social time with a senior partner who is leaving to serve an
LDS mission in England for three years.
Exactly what budget did the 20-plus helium
balloons, streamers, giant British flag table cloth, (catered) tea sandwiches,
ice cream, chocolate covered biscotti, and scones come from? Who was able to socialize while the music
blared and he was wished a very public, “God speed”?
Back up for a second: I am fine with God being
talked about here, with folks going on missions, with scones. I am not fine
with blatant favoritism and the expectation that we should all be A-OK with the
fact that this man and his wife are going to another country to spread what
they think to be God’s words.
As a non practicing anything, I can’t say
that I am personally, deeply offended. But what about those whose faith clashes
with the Mormon faith? What about those who deeply feel the words of God are something
else entirely? We are supposed to be happy and (this is a direct quote, here)
consider this man and his wife “extremely deserving of this honor”. Honor?
So, if I went around, door to door in Italy,
preaching that all humans should be
treated equally in the eyes of the law, or that “God” actually finds women to
be the superior sex, will I get a freaking spaghetti cook off in my honor?
Am I overreacting?
No, you aren't overreacting at all. That was unbelievably and ethically wrong to have a religious (and it was, they can deny all they want) themed monthly mingle. AND, we didn't even get any hooch!!! The nerve! I am not religious at all, and I was really offended and very ashamed of myself that I went to it.
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