Legalities of the Pentagram

Back in April I applied for a position with the City of Phoenix. Yesterday, I finallly had my three hour background interview. The process is far from over but I had to sign some papers yesterday. One was on the policy regarding jewelery and tattoos at work. Towards the bottom on the form was a section on religious jewelry.

It said something to the effect that you can not wear anything that would incite a strong negative reaction from your co-workers. Some of the examples listed were: KKK paraphenelia, swatiskas, and pentagrams.

However, further down the page there was a section about how you can wear items for your religion, as long as it is a recognized religion by the government.

Wicca is a religion given legal rights to its followers. So to me, this means that one could make the argument that they should be allowed to wear their pentagram because Wicca is a recognized religion. However, I consider myself a witch and not a Wiccan, so would this still apply to me?

I'm not sure if I'm going to get the position or not. And if I do work there my pentagram is on a long chain and is usually under my shirt (close to my heart). But I like to think things out as a 'what if' question.

Any thoughts?

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by DragonWulf on December 11, 2008 at 8:38pm: Until they tell the xians at my work they have to hide their cross, I refuse to hide my Pentacle; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Char on December 11, 2008 at 8:38pm: Exactly...; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Brenda Marie on December 11, 2008 at 8:55pm: I like this line of thought, but I tend to avoid confrontation. I love my necklace, but if it's going to cause someone to attack me or my beliefs, I'd rather keep it out of sight.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Char on December 11, 2008 at 8:58pm: Not me... I am proud of it and the fact of what I am.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by DragonWulf on December 12, 2008 at 11:12am: I refuse to give them the satisfaction of hiding.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Lillee Allee on December 11, 2008 at 8:49pm: Often many confuse the difference between pentagrams (earthward) and pentacles (skyward)
If hired, I would ask for a picture of a pentagram and see if it is indeed what you wear.
Of course, those who wish to wear a pentagram should be able to as well, but at least then you can work for equality from the inside out.

The way it should be worded really is no religious jewelry. From a legal sense, I wonder what would be considered a strong negative reaction? What if you are not Christian and see a cross? What about a headscarf on a Muslim woman - would that be considered negative? What about the star of David?

The problem in their handbook is that they did not define negative reaction. In fact, that opens the door that if you find a crucifix (rather than a cross) disturbing then you can also lodge a complaint.

Get the job first - then you can work to right this rule
lca; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Brenda Marie on December 11, 2008 at 8:54pm: Very valid points...I thought that myself "If I find Christian crosses offensive-does that mean no one can wear them?'

I'm working on getting the job...it's mine when I pass the background check. Only iffy thing is my credit report.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by SIN on December 12, 2008 at 11:49am: Technically, a pentagram is the star in either direction. It's the circle around it skyward that deems it a 'Pentacle'.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Rhiannonfirewitch on December 11, 2008 at 8:55pm: I had a coworker get alot of crap from the boss because he wore his pentacle out in front of customers. I wore the same pentacle and the boss didn't say a word to me about it. Although I did remind him that it was discrimination, to do so. Hehehehe I am so bad sometimes lol.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Char on December 11, 2008 at 9:06pm: Why does it always have to come down to stereotypes???; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Char on December 11, 2008 at 9:17pm: I am 47 almost 48... I don't care what others think of me.. they will do that no matter what I do or think.. It's OK with me. I am happy with me and that is all that matters. People come and go in your life, it is the ones that truly know , love and accept you that matters, all the others are not worth the time it takes to worry about them.; ▶ Reply to This