Fla. man says Home Depot fired him over God button

[BurtWorm]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_god_button_home_depot/pri...

By BRIAN SKOLOFF, Associated Press Writer Brian Skoloff, Associated Press Writer Wed Oct 28, 8:35 am ET

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – A former cashier for The Home Depot who has been wearing a "One nation under God" button on his work apron for more than a year has been fired, he says because of the religious reference. The company claims that expressing such personal beliefs is simply not allowed.

"I've worn it for well over a year and I support my country and God," Trevor Keezor said Tuesday. "I was just doing what I think every American should do, just love my country."

The American flag button Keezer wore in the Florida store since March 2008 says "One nation under God, indivisible."

Earlier this month, he began bringing a Bible to read during his lunch break at the store in the rural town of Okeechobee, about 140 miles north of Miami. That's when he says The Home Depot management told him he would have to remove the button.

Keezer refused, and he was fired on Oct. 23, he said.

"It feels kind of like a punishment, like I was punished for just loving my country," Keezer said.

A Home Depot spokesman said Keezer was fired because he violated the company's dress code....

[mkultra]

1. good, next up is those assholes that say "have a blessed day"

[RKP5637]

10. AGREE!!! I'm so tired of hearing "have a blessed day," drives me up the wall! I'm

fed up with in your face religious freaks trying to dominate the world.

[arcadian]

2. I wish I had a God button.

I'd press it all the time.

[mikeytherat]

8. God has a button:

mikey_the_rat

[Cronus Protagonist]

3. This has been posted so often this week I'm thinking it must be astroturf

This is beyond the pale.

[SoCalDem]

4. When will people learn that the workplace is for WORK..not for preaching or

political discussion?

Workplaces are neutral-zones, where a JOB is to be done, and where personal "causes" are not the reason you are hired..unless you work at a church or for a political organization.

Customers who shopped at Home Depot wanted lumber, tools or any other item sold there..they did not go there to "see the light".
Most workplaces have strict rules about what can be worn to work, and every new-hire gets a handbook.

If you cannot make it though 6-8 hrs of work without referring to your Bible, maybe you should be working at the church.

[BurtWorm]

9. I wonder which side Fox and the Republicans will take on this: God's or Mammon's?

Nice little wedge issue to exploit if the idea to wear these pins catches on among a little patch of zealots.

[RKP5637]

11. Excellent Post! Absolutely Correct!!! n/t

[unpossibles]

5. Why do fundie-types tend to thrive on being persecuted?

Even when they bring it on themselves?

[SoCalDem]

7. Because they have figured out ways to shame companies into settling

their bogus lawsuits..to stop the press coverage ..

[Fleshdancer]

13. Because it makes them feel justified in persecuting others

I think it's easier for them to rationalize their own bigotry if they fool themselves into believing that the people they hate are out to get them.

[Uben]

6. Would they condemn a "Worship Satan" button?

Of course, it's against company policy. Doesn't matter which imaginary being you worship, if the company dictates what you are allowed to wear on premisis, you are to follow the rules.

[realisticphish]

12. yup

dress code is dress code, people, it's private property