Saturday, September 27, 2008

When Pentecostals Sue

Alert Reader Billy sends this:

Former Galleria Hollister Worker Sues Over Dress Code
Lakettra Bennett is Pentecostal and says her religion does not permit her to wear pants or skirts if the hemline does not cover the knee.

++++
Is there a line that has been crossed? Should Christians take matters to court when they have been “persecuted” for a bad dress code? Should we insist on our rights? Or, have we become so non self-sacrificing that we shirk at persecution thinking it’s not God’s will? (Think of the first century church and they were fed to the lions)

Consider…
“Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you” (Matthew 5:10-12).

and…

“For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men. 10 We are fools for Christ's sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised. 11 Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace; 12 And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it:” (I Corinthians 4:9-12).

and…

“For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. 20 For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. 21For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: 22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: 23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:” (I Peter 2:19-23).

On the other hand, didn’t Paul stand up for his Citizen rights after being thrust into prison and beaten wrongfully? Are we Apostolics to be “dumb sheep” never standing up for our rights?

“And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house. 35 And when it was day, the magistrates sent the serjeants, saying, Let those men go. 36 And the keeper of the prison told this saying to Paul, The magistrates have sent to let you go: now therefore depart, and go in peace. 37 But Paul said unto them, They have beaten us openly uncondemned, being Romans, and have cast us into prison; and now do they thrust us out privily? nay verily; but let them come themselves and fetch us out. 38 And the serjeants told these words unto the magistrates: and they feared, when they heard that they were Romans. 39 And they came and besought them, and brought them out, and desired them to depart out of the city” (Acts 16:34-39).

What sayest thou, kind reader?

2 comments:

stu said...

Stand your ground! I think that the speed with which EEOC jumped on the bandwagon makes her plight serious, a threat to diversity. Civil rights are big business in this country, won many times by individuals who made a stand. Rock on!

aahrens said...

Wow, Kent, you really raise some good points. My automatic response was "how dare they!" but now, I wonder......

But on the other hand, I must agree with Stu that the fact that the EEOC acted so promptly makes me raise an eyebrow or two. I wonder if taking Paul's position would be the best response. Let it be known that you were wronged, but show some capitulation..... not sure, just a theory.