Man plans to sue over "One Nation Under God" button

In Okeechobee, Fla., a man is planning a civil lawsuit after he refused to stop wearing a "One Nation Under God" button and was fired from his job at Home Depot. The company says it has a policy against employees wearing any buttons, but the man's attorney say the policy isn't really enforced. Other employees wore buttons, and the man wore his "Under God" button for a year or more. The man says he wonder if this is retaliation for him reading a Bible during his lunch break at work.

Comments

[aqua]

Home Depot's secret agenda of undermining Christianity,
one home project at a time, has just been revealed ...

[Gabriel J. Kergis]

I just emailed Home Depot Investor Relations 'investor_relations@homedepot.com'and informed them that I would no longer buy stock or shop at Home Depot until this issue is resolved.

[Jellybean]

He's been reading a book about a persecuted martyr and he wanted to be one too. "Help, I'm being repressed!"

[Sharat]

No problem, Gabriel! I'll step right in and buy all that stock and merchandise that you've declined :)

[Fallen]

"Home Depot's secret agenda of undermining Christianity, one home project at a time, has just been revealed ..."

I trust this is a bit of sarcasm. :)

He's free to wonder if it's retaliation for reading the bible at lunch, but the fact is the employer's free to prohibit wearing of non-company-approved or issued buttons. That isn't a religious discrimination or free speech issue. Folks seem to be confused about this, but it's not the first time Americans had no clue what the Constitution actually means (the *government* may not infringe upon free speech; that doesn't mean an employer may not).

Employer isn't preventing him from practicing his religion. If they let one person wear a button that says whatever, they'd arguably have need to let everyone wear one (including "Death to the infidels!"). Just so happens that he did something else that may have called attention to the button?

[Chuck Rizzo]

Yeah it's part of the dress code. I'm a christian and not offended. I understand that businesses need to draw the line as far as pieces of "flair" and Home depot says no "flair."

Now if they let another employee have a button that said "satan is a genious." or "cross nails available in isle 5." Then he'd have an argument.

[Pat, the happy handsome bastard]

Jellybean-If you are having a Pythonesque moment, its "opressed".

As in the line "stop opressing me!" from Eric Idle's role in that movie.

[D-man]

15 pieces is the minimum.

[Kuzari]

Let's see............Home Depot won't allow employees to express patriotism by wearing a button. OK. Perhaps Home Depot would do us all a favor by not selling those Chinese-made American flags!! Or, as Sharat says, also sell PLO, Iranian, Al Queda and Taliban flags so as not to offend anyone!!

[Fallen]

Kuzari,

Interpretation of what the button signifies is completely subjective. Someone can call it "patriotism" (though I see it as nothing of the kind), whereas another person can recognize it as a presumptuous comment that every citizen believes in god(s), or any particular god, or their God.

You have to remember (or read up on) the origins of how "under God" came to be added the Pledge of Allegiance in the first place. It was in the 1954 at the height of the freaks seeing "godless Commies" in every nook and cranny. Making religion or belief system part of our government was never intended, but good luck getting the asshats in Congress to change it back.

[Nemesis]

It doesn't matter what the Home Depot policy states, if mamagement allows more than one person to wear any kind of badge for over a year with no enforcement of the policy, it is defacto approval. Home Depot is singling one person out if it is true other people wore badges and are not being punished the same way this guy is.

[Hary]

Can you imagine if he had a "Satan Bless America" or a "Allah Bless America". People would freak out. But God seems to be OK.

I wrote Home Depot and thanked them for keeping religion out of the store.

[Bohica]

Gabriel....

Hate to tell you... but that email you just sent... went to India!!!

Don't believe me?? Wait for a response, and look at what time it was sent!!

[Drasil]

A question people, What is Home Depots attitude towaard head coverings? I've seen several Home Depot employees wearing them. Is this just more Christian bashing (I know we're evil)?

[Emily]

How dare you not be able to wear a badge that says "God" in "God's country. If you're an atheist and want to live in His country, suck it up. We're not changing our religion for you.

[jeffisright]

What a wonderful time we all live in, when a man working in an oversized hardware store can not wear a pin with the American flag on it and the words "One nation, under God" on it for fear of offending someone. Should we change all of our currency as well? Would that make everyone happy? Can you imagine how wonderful of a world we would live in if we just tossed out or made punishable anything that makes someone else feel uncomfortable? What a great colorless, tasteless, substance less world that would be!

[gameshow]

I think you are all missing the point here. What does Home Depot have against buttons? Just another way these giant stores are driving a death nail into the coffin of the small business button maker. How many button stores have to close before we as a society stand up and support the "little guy?"

What's next? Bumper Stickers? Those oversized magnetic ribbons?

[Patty PV]

This has nothing to do with buttons, or religion. It has everything to do with business and profit.

This corporation cannot rely on Christians as their sole revenue stream. The sell to Christians, Jews, Muslims, agnostics and atheists. They don't want to offend anyone who wishes to purchase items from their store.

I'm not sure how stores would invoke Button Police to determine who wears buttons for how long. Requiring them to monitor that would be insane.

I went to my doctor a couple months ago for an early morning appointment. She ordered a blood test. In the lab, the tech had a religious station blaring out of the radio. I actually listen to this broadcast on occasion, and do not find it objectionable. However, while having my blood drawn in a medical office, I thought it was inappropriate to have a preacher shouting a sermon. I don't go to my doctor to learn about religion. Nevertheless - I didn't have the nerve to object because the tech dude had a needle in my arm.

That makes a button seem a lot less signifacant . . .

[Obama is the Man]

If this man cannot wear his "One Nation Uner God" button, then Muslims cannot wear Burquas, Shiks and other religions cannot wear towels on their heads either.. If expression of Christainity an patriotism are going to be banned, then other religions have to be treated equally!

[JLA]

Let's see. Home Depot paid their own money to buy the land. Home Depot paid their own money to build the store. Home Depot paid their own money to acquire the merchandise to sell. Home Depot paid their own money to pay the employees' wages. It seems to me that since Home Depot is the only one putting its capital at risk in this business operation, Home Depot is the only one allowed to make the rules on what buttons their employees can and can't wear.

When this clerk puts HIS capital at risk in a business operation, then HE can decide what buttons HIS employees can and can't wear. Until then, if he doesn't like Home Depot's dress code policy, he's got two options: (1) comply with the policy, or (2) quit.

[gary]

pssttttt..remember those Muslims washing their feet in the restrooms in the sinks out at the airport? Why could'nt they wait until they got to their motel or whose ever house they were going to? By providing them with foot washing basins the government seems to be giving them special treatment. That sure gets overlooked...

[cody]

They have a dress code, he violated it on multiple occasions. That is what this comes down to. It is also important to add, not everyone is Christian. Do you think it would be people would be ok with someone wearing an atheist pin? Probably not, so its probably not ok for him to wear a christian pin either. Leave your Gods at home.

[John Mack]

What a freak! Who cares about him or his stupid religious nut button, or his fragile self-esteem. Perhaps he would not be in this situation if he had read something a little more enlightening at work, such as a nice biography or history book, or one of the many hundreds of how-to books that Home Depot offers.

Home Depot obviously doesn't want some ignorant religious nutcase working for them. They scare away the customers.

[Thin The Herd]

Somehow I don't think this rates up there with what one thinks of as martyrdom--you know, getting burned, eaten by lions, crucified, etc. How can one claim to be committed to anything if one attempts to use the commitment to enrich oneself?

I agree with the sentiment expressed on his button, but an employer has the right to set dress codes, and to change them from time to time. Don't want to comply? Check Lowes or Ace for employment opportunities.

This is another clarion call for a "loser pays" rule in civil suits. As it is, Home Depot will end up spending many, many thousands defending against this idiot.

[FEDup]

The issue with this story is that the company hasn't enforced their policy up to this point. For some reason, decided to enforce it with this man. Thus the open door for a lawsuit!

This is why it is critical to follow policy these days, down to every last word, if you don't you will get slapped with a loophole lawsuit. WHICH, is the reason we ARE already becoming a colorless society where everyone is expected to leave thier home and become like everyone else, so as to not offend anyone. WAH, WAH, WAH... What they are really doing is saying QUIT being so American in America, we foreigners don't like it.

All I know is that I was born into a country, the good ol USA, that stood for a lot of things. NOW, we stand for nothing but the melting pot, frivilous lawsuits, money/power trips and corruption.

I am so tired of people coming to America and crying about it not being like thier country and changing it. When in Rome...

I am tired of people complaining and wanting de-segregation and yet thier actions promote segregation.

If a man believes in God and that offends people, go to a place where no one believes in God so you aren't offended.

Gays/Lesbians want to flaunt thier ways and want everyone to be ok with it happening openly and freely and we are forced to accept it.

But, a man can't wear a button about what HE believes in, because it is GOD?

What the HECK is wrong with our Country.

[john]

Good. I am tired of the Christian Supremacists always getting their way. Keep that nonsense at home, or church not in the workplace.

[Chuck Rizzo]

Wow this brought out the crazy's on both sides.

[FEDup]

The funny thing is, my comment has me "pegged" as something other than I really am, apparantly. Some of my closest friends are people of color and/or gay/lesbians. I do believe in God, don't get me wrong...BUT, I personally don't care what anyone does!!! THAT my friends, is what bothers me so much. Why do YOU care what others do when you don't want them to care what YOU are doing. Just do your thing! That is all I am trying to say!

[Responsibility]

Why must Christians always play the role of helpless victim? Obey the dress code or find a job that allow you to wear buttons. I think name calling on these boards is really immature--but so many on here are just selfish, ignorant babies. Christians LOVE to play the martyr . . . since the beginning of time--that's really the only reason the religion even exists. This is the self centered attitude driving people like me away from the church.

[BJH]

Whether he wore the button for 1 day or 1 year Hole Depot has a policy for no button of any kind on there aprons unless its company approved. Many companies carry similar policies. In fact they offered him a company approved button with the US Flag on it. As a Wiccan, I totally believe in religious freedom but would it be a National headline if the button referred to anything other than Christianity? We non-Christians live with this every day.

[Suzie]

I tend to agree with the person who pointed out the head coverings, burquas, etc. as they are also religious based. A button quoting the Pledge of Allegiance and a burqua are different, in my opinion, but I can see the reference to religious beliefs, so ... ok. Fine. Ban the burqua and the robes and head covers too.

[Ignore Him]

What really irritates me is that Christians have taken to doing stuff like this simply for attention and to feel victimized. I think most of them would drag a 20 foot cross around behind them if they could just for the attention. This guy is throwing a fit because his employer has rules. It's asinine. These people should simply be ignored--then maybe they'll grow up.

[Ignore Him]

Suzie . . . this logic is really flawed . . . unless your religion mandates that you wear a button--which being raised as a christian--I know it does not.

[Invisible sky dude]

Religion: Brainwashing since 4000 BC....

[antifufusdawes]

Interesting points on both sides. I am a christian, and i realize that there are people who believe and people who dont. The real problem is the enforcement of the policy by home depot. You have to enforce it the same for everyone or you open yourself up to these types of problems. for some reason, we have gotten so thin skinned in the country. everyone get offended by every little thing. if you white,black,male,female,straight,gay...whatever, and someone doesnt like it, who cares.

[antirufusdawes]

Ignore Him....The point most people are making is that religion doesnt belong in the work place. Under that logic, head scarfs and such should not be accepteable dress in the workplace. You dont need these things to do your job. I think tolerance and common sense should win out here, but is seems by some of these comments that it is not very likely.

[Ignore Him]

I get that . . . and I still think the logic is flawed. Home Depot likely supports employees pursuing and living their religious beliefs and the requirements that go along with it (i.e. head scarfs). No religion that I am aware of requires a button on the chest to prescribe to that particular religion. I'm saying there is a difference between what is 'required' by a religion and what is done to get attention or feel a part of a club. Show me (or Home Depot for that matter) in the bible where God commands that man must wear tacky button at all times and I (as I'm sure Home Depot would as well) support his right to wear it all day long.

[antirufusdawes]

I understand your point...but to the man, the button was an expression of his religion. A religous requirement does not make it a workplace requirement. If home depot is going to support one expression, then support them all. Myself, I would set a dress code that everyone has to abide by no matter what religion. If you dont want to abide by it, dont work there....that includes our button man.

[Ignore Him]

I totally agree . . . I guess I dont see those other issues mentioned as issues of religious 'expression' (which to me implied it's voluntary)--I don't think HD is supporting expression--so that's the difference. I think when it comes to the head scrarfs, etc. home depot is tolerating religion differences--they're putting up with it--not embracing it. To let this guy where his button means that someone else can wear one that is pro or anti abortion, or gun, or . . . anything 'expressing' themselves. I will freely admit that I'm also not being entirely fair because I do sincerely question his motives.

[P-Boy]

I find it funny that when a lib wears a button, or paints art with feces and is critisized it is offending that persons right. But when someone has an opposing view it is not free speech.!! Hmmm! funny how that works. Home Depot can fire him (their policy) but that doesn't mean that people who are offended by that can not stop shopping there. Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton protest all the time. So can others.

[www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1326586567]

In-N-Out is a Christian based business. They have Christian's, Atheist’s, and many other people with different beliefs eat their food. They have chosen not to change their beliefs and even have Bible verses written under their cups and on their hamburger paper wrapping. Yet, In-N-Out still makes one of the highest profits in the fast food industry.

It's OK to play music with every kind of sexual connotation on the radio and to have violence all over our TV's but 'watch out' if someone wants to wear a button that has the word "God" in it. God is not negative, violence and songs about threesome's and men singing about women in such a sexual content...now that, is negative. It's negative for our children and for ourselves. It can be said to parents to keep our children away from these things. However, these negative images and sounds are everywhere. At what point is THAT enough?

[Searching]

That is because the statement made earlier about Christians playing the victim is somewhat tainted.

It is ok for anyone on the earth to be offended, but if Christians dare to be, then they are playing victim.

It is a sword that is swung by liberals, to explain why they should have their own way. and if you disagree you are a racist bigot. So, we know who are the ones playing victim... and it sure aint the Christians.

[Robert S. Cebina]

I all for supporting the troops my son is a Marine and I served in Southeast Asia and some one in my family has always served this country. But on the surface and I don't all the facts but it looks as if he was fired for viloation of a dress code. Its their company and they do have the right to set company policies for thgeir employees to follow and if the employees or employee choses not to them he or her is subject to be fired if that is the case. We may not care for those policies but it is what it is. I think that he ma be wasting his money on a law suit.

[Fallen]

Nemesis, I'm sorry, the notion that the employer cannot prevent the person from wearing a button because it was worn for a year is nonsense. Even if the employer had APPROVED the wearing at any point (tacit or explicit), that doesn't mean the employer isn't entitled to tell the person they may not wear it at any time they change their mind.

"... if it is true other people wore badges and are not being punished the same way this guy is."

I've not seen a thing regarding this story to indicate other folks were allowed to wear buttons of their choosing expressing ... anything.

[Fallen]

Er, "Obama is The Man", when wearing of such a button becomes an act required of the faith in question, let us know. :) And *please* let us know where you've seen a HD employee wearing a burqa (or a "towel" for that matter), you bigoted dolt.

[Fallen]

FEDup, I (still) haven't seen anything in this story that indicates other workers are being allowed to wear buttons of their own choice saying whatever and that this guy is being singled out. Doesn't matter if HD didn't enforce the policy before; it's free to do so any time it likes.

Unless it can be PROVED that the employer is disregarding policy and singling him out specifically because of his religion, there's no viable lawsuit.

Have no idea why the tangent about foreigners and "people coming to America and crying" is relevant.

"I am tired of people complaining and wanting de-segregation and yet thier actions promote segregation."

Huh? :)

"If a man believes in God and that offends people, go to a place where no one believes in God so you aren't offended."

Funny how the folks scream about un-Americanism still feel comfortable spouting nonsense like this. So you'd have no problem, if this were a country where, say, Scientology was a major-league "religion" if Scientologists regular told non-believers to go to a place where no one (or everyone) believes in X so you aren't offended? Does that make sense to you? Truly? :)

Gays/Lesbians want to flaunt thier ways and want everyone to be ok with it happening openly and freely and we are forced to accept it.
But, a man can't wear a button about what HE believes in, because it is GOD?
What the HECK is wrong with our Country.

"Some of my closest friends are people of color and/or gay/lesbians."

Not sure where this came up on the page, but I gather you don't realize what a cliche it is to defend with "Some of my closest friends are [fill in the blank]." The sure-fire way to peg yourself as something you claim not to be is to start out a protest with "I have [fill-in here] friends" or "My uncle is [blank]."

[tjl]

An ironic point is that the button actual said
"one nation under God, indivisible"
clearly the wearer is trying to imply that God can not be separated from our nation. The truth is the original pledge stated
"one nation indivisible". the "God" part was stuck in the 1950s. Therefore the button is a misleading selective quote, designed to push forward a political view. YES I find it offensive.
By the way the original pledge was written by a preacher named Bellemy. He was famous for 2 things:
1. Writing the Pledge
2. Outspoken belief in the separation of Church and State

[John doe]

He was targeted plain and simple.
Home depot did not make home remove the
yellow ribbon. It was the "under God" they h
had a problem with and I will never shop
at home depot again. They will not get
my Christian money!

[Bobby Sadler]

I feel sorry about Home Depot, because probably and, most likely their sales went down. I really hope they did.

[Youbetcha]

I can assure you that a dress code violation is only a minor work rule violation and would need to have been addressed multiple times with no attempt from him to rectify the problem in order to justify termination. Home Depot is a very well informed company and would not be so naive as to fire someone without a very good case with many documented prior violations. This man is nothing more than one of the many Americans looking for a free ride and, excuse me if I'm wrong, not very versed in christian values.