Cady Barrett
SOC 202
23 September 2008
Religious Conflcits
In Denver, Colorado a group of meat factory workers were fired after being denied the right to pray during work hours. The workers are practicing Muslims and also reported sexual harassment, physical abuse, and threats of termination to keep them working. More than 100 Muslim employees of the US slaughterhouse walked out when they were denied a break for their Ramadan fast with prayer, food and water. Before the terminations there were tensions between the Mexican workers and the Muslims during the Islamic holy month when they were allowed breaks and the Hispanics were not. The supervisor worked with the labor unions and allowed an hour break, but no other workers.
When interviewed some of the Muslim employees said that they worked at other US companies and were allowed to take breaks and pray. They were allowed to take five breaks a day to fast and pray. US law protects freedom of religion, and all companies should accommodate to their employee’s faith. But when you have 3,000 employees it’s difficult to allow them all to take as many breaks without productivity falling.
Supervisors were quoted as saying, “This is mainly down to misunderstanding”. Claiming that the Hispanic workers did not know of the break time and didn’t agree with it being at 7 in the morning.
I believe that the injustice of diverse religion is spreading drastically in America. When you hire an employee their religion should never be taken into consideration, but they shouldn’t be discriminated for it. If we are allowed to have Christmas and Easter off for religious purposes, how is this any different?
2 comments:
I totally agree with you. But the sad thing is that, Islam in the western world is viewed negatively. I would not be surprised if they would not let them pray because of the fact that they are Muslim. I just feel that Christianity is accepted and popular therefore time off is not only understandable but even expected. I feel that no matter what your religion or race is, we believe in freedom and therefore if you are a hard worker you should be able to receive that benefit.
Although America is recognized as a "melting pot," the very concept that gained us recognition is the the very thing that is holding us back as well. America itself was built on the foundation of Christianity and when religious views deviate from this standard, individuals are less likely to be understanding. As a people, we have to coexist, whether white, red, Muslim, Christian, or Hindu. In Matthew 7:1-2 it states, "judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again." Who am I to judge one's action? Regardless of my beliefs, I feel that they have just as much a right to practice and maintain their religious rituals as I do; it's an inalienable right which is secured in the Declaration of Independence long ago.
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