Advice, Please.

[Steve]

I have worked here seven years. For seven years, there has been a cross on my office wall, a plaque that says, 'Jesus Never Fails,' a sign that only I see that says, 'In the Cross of Christ I Glory.' This agency is private, but gets State funding. We have a new Clinical Director. She came in here Friday and was 'completely overwhelmed' by the office. She claims to be a Christian. She basically said: 'That needs to come down, that needs to come down, and that needs to come down.' And went into a spiel about how would a client feel who comes in here and sees these things and feels offended because he doesn't share my beliefs? Would I pray with a Muslim? HOW would I pray with a Muslim? The Scripture says to Render to Caesar the things that are Caser's..........' etc., etc., etc. I see what is coming. I have no intention of taking anything down. It's been up there for 7 years with no problems whatsoever. Any thoughts/advice? Thx. :-?

 

[dancing queen]

Pray and ask God whether you should stand up to this. Ask God what will bring Him glory: you standing up to this and refusing to take them down, you imply this means you could lose your job, or taking them down so you don't lost your job but allowing you to be the light rather than the cross on the wall.

My gut feeling is the former, as if you take them down you may keep your job and be able to share the love of Christ in your workplace still directly through yourself, but I wonder if people would respect your faith in the same way.

Bottom line, I don't really have any advice but to pray and follow what the spirit calls you to do. You never know, next time you are told to take them down the spirit might speak for you on this, so keep praying. Sorry if this seems of little help.

 

[Guest]

Forgive me for not knowing the verse off the top of my head - however, Paul does say that we should not be a stumbling block to others.

 

[Rick W]

Wear a chain with a cross? This may bring the focus to you rather than the office and the business in general. Walls are kind of thought as "the place", part of the establishment. You on the other hand are not a part of the decor or building. A chain and cross is much more personal, not apt to give someone the idea that the business itself is advocating any one faith.

 

[destiny]

Steve, Chances are she has been brainwashed into our politically correct anti- Christ society. Ask here to let you poll the clients to see if anyone is actually offended; chances are you might find one in a hundred.
You will also find that the truest enemies of the cross are those who claim to be christians.
Keep in mind that it was the religious and the government working together who crucified Jesus.
Don't be too surprised when she asks you to take it down in spite of your proposal to conduct a poll.

PS. During the 7 years you've had the cross, how many people have been offended? How many clients has it actually cost you?

 

[Guest]

Steve, Chances are she has been brainwashed into our politically correct society. quote]

Is it brainwashing to be considerate of others? Even if it is only 1 in a 100?

Perhaps if we were willing to self-sacrifice for the sake of others, others would self-sacrifice for us. Just an idea. Something about treating others how we would like to be....I know, a little too radical and "PC"....

 

[Guest]

Steve, Chances are she has been brainwashed into our politically correct society.

Is it brainwashing to be considerate of others? Even if it is only 1 in a 100?

Perhaps if we were willing to self-sacrifice for the sake of others, others would self-sacrifice for us. Just an idea. Something about treating others how we would like to be....I know, a little too radical and "PC"....

 

[destiny]

Is it brainwashing to be considerate of others? Even if it is only 1 in a 100?

Perhaps if we were willing to self-sacrifice for the sake of others, others would self-sacrifice for us. Just an idea. Something about treating others how we would like to be....I know, a little too radical and "PC"....

Freedom isn't about losing ones rights to please a few. If I walk into an office to file my income taxes and I see a depiction of mohammad on the wall, I wouldn't care, and if I did I wouldn't try to take that persons freedom in expressing his or her beliefs, I would go elsewhere.
Thats all i'll say in argument to what you've stated, alonevoice. I will let steve speak in regards to what I asked him.
I realize he will have to follow the law in regards to seperation of church and state, or lose his job.
I only posted my opinions, the ultimate decisions will be his alone.

 

[Veritas]

Steve,
I don't really understand the big deal either. Its just a symbol of your belief. Chances are, people are going to discover you are Christian anyway. Sometimes I wonder what will be next in our "PC" world - Will we not be allowed to talk of the good news because it is offensive to some? Will it actually come to a time when we are not allowed to believe it because it is offensive to some?

I have a little calendar on my desk with Bible verses on it. And I'm not ashamed to say that I use it as an opportunity to witness. I'm not sure how I'd react if I was told I had to take it down.

My prayers are with you, I hope God leads you to the right decision.

 

[Fnerb]

Forgive me for not knowing the verse off the top of my head - however, Paul does say that we should not be a stumbling block to others.

I don't see how that applies in this situation...

 

[Solo]

Is it brainwashing to be considerate of others? Even if it is only 1 in a 100?

Perhaps if we were willing to self-sacrifice for the sake of others, others would self-sacrifice for us. Just an idea. Something about treating others how we would like to be....I know, a little too radical and "PC"....

Don't hide your light under a basket. You are a little too easy in this world of antichrist.

 

[lovely]

Steve,

It seems as if you made your decision. Maybe you could pray for her, and talk with her about it. It doesn't seem as if she thinks it is an issue of the government, but rather an offence to the clients, and she may be willing to hear what you have to say if you approach her lovingly...and not in anger. Perhaps you could ask her to revisit the situation if someone actually complained about those items, but for now the remind you of why you do what you do and no one has ever complained about being offended for the past seven years. I hope it works out that you are able to keep them, Steve, but if you are not able to, God will use the situation for His glory if you obey Him...His will be done. He tells us to obey those in authority over us, but not where it means denying Him, or disobeying Him...does taking the cross down fall into either for you? Just pray, and listen to Him.

The Lord bless you.

 

[Veritas]

I think that's great advice lovely... I guess now I know what I would do if I was asked to take my calendar down.

 

[Guest]

Don't hide your light under a basket. You are a little too easy in this world of antichrist.

If Christ would have been sacrificed by guillotine would we have little ones hanging around our neck or hanging on the wall?

I doubt a symbol of the cross is at the heart of not hiding your 'light under a basket'. If he takes the cross down, will his actions change? Will he stop being a "christian"? No.

Our actions, attitudes, and interaction with others should be our witness our "light". Sorry if this sonds tough, but hopefully as Christians we have more than a cross hanging on a wall as our 'light'

 

[Solo]

If Christ would have been sacrificed by guillotine would we have little ones hanging around our neck or hanging on the wall?

I doubt a symbol of the cross is at the heart of not hiding your 'light under a basket'. If he takes the cross down, will his actions change? Will he stop being a "christian"? No.

Our actions, attitudes, and interaction with others should be our witness our "light". Sorry if this sonds tough, but hopefully as Christians we have more than a cross hanging on a wall as our 'light'

You have avoided looking at the whole picture, my friend. Ask yourself why after seven years is it wrong to hang a cross on the wall of ones personal workspace. Also ask yourself why it is wrong to practice Christianity in society as we always have in America. I suspect that the force at work is not God, but satan. Would you rather stand for the works of satan, or the works of God?

You sound more like an appeaser and not a preacher. Perhaps your gift is not preaching, teaching, prophesying; and is more bent on hospitality, mercy, giving. What ever your gift is, do not attempt to condemn a brother for living according to the gift that that Holy Spirit has given him. Hopefully you are a brother in Christ Jesus and not a member of the accusers family.

17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. 18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. 1 Corinthians 1:17-19

 

[Steve]

sorry...duplicate

 

[Steve]

Just as an update, everything is still on the wall, and nothing further has been said........yet. But, knowing this place, anything can happen.