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Public service v private beliefs

on 28 August 2006 , 6:04 pm 65 | 3 views

Nine Scottish fire officers have been brought before disciplinary hearings after they refused to hand out leaflets at a Scottish gay pride parade. A number of officers cited religious objections to atteding other argued it was outside their core duties.

  • Occasional Commentator

    What was the purpose of handing out the leaflets? It appears the BBC didn’t bother finding out. Why aren’t they out fighting fires or educating about fire safety?

    Are gay people or pride festivals famous for being fire risks?

  • Garibaldy

    OC,

    I think they were recruitment leaflets.

  • Oranges for Sale

    Its strange to see how society has come full circle. I guess that not too long ago these men would have been disciplined for actually attending such an event. All things considered though, if they didn’t want to attend they should not be forced to, and thus should not have to stand before a hearing. There are some of us both here and in Scotland who still retain some moral standards, even if those standards are at present unfashionable. Also the fact that this case has even made it as far as a disciplinary hearing, seems to unfairly label these individuals as ‘bigots’. Hmmm, political correctness gone mad methinks!

  • Oranges for Sale

    Sorry that should be:
    ….unfairly label these individuals as ‘b.i.g.o.t.s’.

  • fair_deal

    OC

    From an earlier BBC report

    “had been asked to distribute fire safety literature at the event last month.”

    http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/5192976.stm

  • smc’giff

    “had been asked to distribute fire safety literature at the event last month.”

    That would suggest the firemen in question have less of a leg to stand on.

    Could we be certain firemen would risk their lives to put out a fire at a gay club/home if they wouldn’t hand out leaflets ot a gay pride march? Some may be of the opinion gays are going to burn in hell for all eternity, so why take the risk to save them, as it’d only be putting off the inevitable?

  • michael

    oranges for sale:

    i feel sorry that you hold those beliefs. but also i feel sorry that our society still contains those that also carry such beliefs!

    your loss i suppose.

  • Penelope

    “Are gay people or pride festivals famous for being fire risks?” Occasional Commentator

    OC… have you not heard the phrase “flaming queen”?? 😉 🙂

    Joking aside the fire department should be commended for doing community outreach/fire safety at an event such as gay pride. Those who would object should realise that gays and lesbians are part of the community they serve and within that community there is a far range of personalites and beliefs… as in the straight world. Personally I don’t care who holds hands in public but then again I don’t care to see people sucking face and groping each other, be it gay or straight… at that point I want to say “Get a room.”

    Personally I find it odd that those who would be most vocal about the *gay lifestyle* etc seem to have no issue when it comes to a little girl-on-girl action in movies or magazines… get over your fear/revulsion/fascination of the sex act and realise that there is much more to a person that what happens between the sheets between two consenting adults.

  • Dread Cthulhu

    Oranges: “Its strange to see how society has come full circle. I guess that not too long ago these men would have been disciplined for actually attending such an event.”

    Actually, that would describe a half-circle, not a full circle.

    michael: “i feel sorry that you hold those beliefs. but also i feel sorry that our society still contains those that also carry such beliefs! ”

    Such sermonizing… michael, it is their right to hold these beliefs, unless Parliment has instituted “thought-crime” legislation since last I checked. Whatever happened to “diversity,” I wonder? Or does that not apply to personal beliefs of morality?

    As for the central issue — whether or nor they should be disciplined, I would hazard that this was not something they were assigned when they on shift. If it is not part of their duties and something they were to do on time outside of their scheduled shifts, they should not be disciplined.

  • TAFKABO

    Gay people pay their taxes, and as such deserve the same treatment as any other member of the public.
    Firemen cannot pick and choose which public events they shall offer safety advice at, they must treat every member of the public in exactly the same way.
    Any parade that has been granted permission has to be deemed a legitimate and acceptable public event, anyone who thinks they have the right to refuse someone the availablity of advice which could potentially save their life, simply because one does not agree with aspects of their lifestyle ought to be sacked from their job if they don’t make it clear they will never again differentiate on the grounds of sexuality.

  • T.Ruth

    The firemen are quite within their rights in refusing to give out leaflets in a context which they consider brings them in contact with people who are promoting immoral,un-natural behaviour and which conflicts with their genuinely held religious principles.
    Because sodomy and associated behaviour has become legal and in some areas of society,socially accceptable, does not prevent it from being immoral and an abomination. The vast majority in our society find such behaviour repugnant and Christians have a duty to stand steadfastly opposed to people who behave in this way. T.Ruth

  • Setanta

    “T.Ruth”

    The vast majority in whose society exactly?

    Not even this one any more thankfully.

  • Garibaldy

    Firemen, like any workers, are entitled to refuse to do things that are outside their duties as outlined in their job descriptions. And if this is outside their duties, then fair enough. Workers are not, however, entitled to decide whether they do their job or not based on the nationality, sexuality, religion etc of those who are availing of their services.

  • nmc

    Christians have a duty to stand steadfastly opposed to people who behave in this way.

    Geniune question – Why do Christians concern themselves with other people’s sexual habits? What is it that obsesses them so much? If you take the bible so seriously it also says in there (Corinthians 1 6:9 – 6:10) that all effeminate men will go to hell, do you go along with that? How about the bit where it says (leviticus 20:13) kill any gay men you come across?

  • Garibaldy

    How about the bits where Jesus recommends loving sinners?

  • Dread Cthulhu

    TAFKABO: “Gay people pay their taxes, and as such deserve the same treatment as any other member of the public. ”

    And are not the firement entitled to the right of free association? The right to associate has got to have the right not to associate. Likewise, as for the same treatment, does that mean that the firemen need to distribute fire safety materials at every parade, lest someone feel left out? The homosexual community is entitled to have their fires put out, same as everyone else.

    TAFKABO: “Firemen cannot pick and choose which public events they shall offer safety advice at, they must treat every member of the public in exactly the same way. Any parade that has been granted permission has to be deemed a legitimate and acceptable public event, anyone who thinks they have the right to refuse someone the availablity of advice which could potentially save their life, simply because one does not agree with aspects of their lifestyle ought to be sacked from their job if they don’t make it clear they will never again differentiate on the grounds of sexuality.
    ”

    Again, if they are on the clock, I would agree. If they are off the clock, then you are dead wrong.

  • TAFKABO

    Who said they were off the clock?

    What employer has the right to compell people not working, to attend specific events and carry out actions such as distributing leaflets?

  • sevenmagpies

    “How about the bits where Jesus recommends loving sinners?”

    Or that bit where the bible gives advice on selling your daughters into slavery?

    The problem with the christian church is that whilst the message was supposed to be all about love, the institution itself is obsessed with sex.

  • Dread Cthulhu

    Garibaldy: “How about the bits where Jesus recommends loving sinners?”

    Loving the sinner does not require the condoning of the sin. Likewise, as that rather unfortunate incident in the Temple would indicate, not even the Divine is up to loving all the sinners all the time.

  • Greg

    Does T Ruth think that lesbian activity is ok? The bible only condemns sodomy which is a male activity.

    Of course, if the firefighters were off shift they should not be disciplined whatever they do or think but if they were on-shift and refused to have anything to do with the gay pride parade, I would have to echoe others who ask what if a gay night club was on fire?

  • smcgiff

    Folks, I think we can assume the firemen were on duty – Otherwise this is a non-story for starters! And Tafkabo’s 6:00 comment pretty much deals with this anyway.

  • Dread Cthulhu

    TAFKABO: “Who said they were off the clock? ”

    No one — hence the use of the conditional “if.” Politicans — and yes, upper level bureaucrats qualify, frequently attempt to make use of their inferiors time with just recompense… particularly where “pr” events are concerned. Obviously they were not engaged in their core responsibilities, or do you think they were simply going to short firehouses personnel for a shift for this public relations boondoggle?

  • smcgiff

    Dread,

    I don’t see how disciplinary action could be entertained if they were not on the clock.

  • Dread Cthulhu

    smcgiff: “Folks, I think we can assume the firemen were on duty – Otherwise this is a non-story for starters! And Tafkabo’s 6:00 comment pretty much deals with this anyway.”

    Do we? In my experience, upper level bureaucrats frequently assume they can infringe on employee’s personal time for precisely this sort of “pr” ‘stunt.’

    As for it being a non-story, would this be the first non-story fluffed up to get a by-line?

    If the story is silent on it, we must assume nothing — it would indicate an unasked, or at least unanswered, question.

  • Garibaldy

    Dread,

    I raised in the issue because it was said that the Christians had a duty to stand steadfastly opposed to homosexuals. I was asking how that idea related to the idea of loving sinners, i.e. being sympathetic towards them, not condemning and opposing them. As for the Temple incident, surely the problem was where the money lenders were doing it that provoked the violence? But I don’t think the gay pride parade was going through any churches.

  • sevenmagpies

    The earliest report on this issue states that the officers were ordered to hand out fire safety literature at the event. Some refused on religious grounds, others refused because they did not think it was part of their core duties.

    Presumably religion only stops you advising gays and lesbians on how to protect themselves from fire, but doesn’t stop you rescuing gays and lesbians if there homes are burning.

  • Dread Cthulhu

    Garibaldy: “I was asking how that idea related to the idea of loving sinners, i.e. being sympathetic towards them, not condemning and opposing them.”

    Ah, but while one is called to love the sinner, one should still hate the sin. Attendence at the parade could be construed as approval or condoning the lifestyle that relating to the sin.

    Garibaldy: “As for the Temple incident, surely the problem was where the money lenders were doing it that provoked the violence? But I don’t think the gay pride parade was going through any churches. ”

    Ah, but it is an example that even though Christians are called to love the sinner, they are not left helpless by that call. As for the Gay pride parade, there ia almost invariably at least one display insulting to the Church, so their passing by a Church is not strictly necessary.

  • sevenmagpies

    “almost invariably at least one display insulting to the Church”

    Ah, but christians are supposed to turn the other cheek, right?

  • Dread Cthulhu

    sevenmagpies: “Presumably religion only stops you advising gays and lesbians on how to protect themselves from fire, but doesn’t stop you rescuing gays and lesbians if there homes are burning.”

    Last I checked, “fighting fires” is part of their job description, without limit or exception.

  • Dread Cthulhu

    sevenmagpies: “Ah, but christians are supposed to turn the other cheek, right? ”

    Ah, but they’re not called upon to do it twice, now are they.

  • Mustapha Mond

    I would take a wild guess and say that participating in recruitment exercises is part of the job descrip. therefore they are breaking the contract.
    You think they go round schools and colleges just for the crack? its part of their job.
    The only leg they could stand on is if handing out these leaflets is in conflict with their beliefs, but thats a fairly shakey leg to be standing on if you ask me. What part of handing out leaflets goes against your beliefs?
    An even shakier leg would be if they got the old verbal GBH and unwanted innuendo etc from members of the public, then they could be within their rights.
    Either way interesting case.

    anti spam password is respect52!!! is this done on purpose?

  • sevenmagpies

    “Last I checked, “fighting fires” is part of their job description, without limit or exception.”

    Can you post a link? I’m surprised promotion of fire-safety isn’t a core duty these days.

    “Ah, but they’re not called upon to do it twice, now are they.”

    Aren’t they? It’s so hard to keep up with these weird religious rules and regulations. One minute rape and incest are fine, next they’re a Bad Thing…

    I suspect these firemen simply didn’t want to be standing around a gay pride march dressed as firemen.

  • Dread Cthulhu

    sevenmagpies: “Aren’t they? It’s so hard to keep up with these weird religious rules and regulations. One minute rape and incest are fine, next they’re a Bad Thing…
    ”

    This simply betrays your shallow understanding of the Testaments… a not unexpected development, but sad, nonetheless.

    Actually, there is a great deal in the Bible that is mistranslated from the original Hebrew / Aramaic. One good example is that the Commandment is “Thou shalt not murder,” as opposed to the mistranslated “Thou shalt not kill,” which represents a broader limitation.

    sevenmagpies: “I suspect these firemen simply didn’t want to be standing around a gay pride march dressed as firemen. ”

    It’s safer than being dressed as a Cub Scout, but only marginally.

  • bertie

    “Firemen, like any workers, are entitled to refuse to do things that are outside their duties as outlined in their job descriptions. And if this is outside their duties, then fair enough. Workers are not, however, entitled to decide whether they do their job or not based on the nationality, sexuality, religion etc of those who are availing of their services”

    Exactly Garibaldy!

  • sevenmagpies

    “This simply betrays your shallow understanding of the Testaments…”

    I understand that they say incest and rape are can be a good thing, which part are you suggesting I don’t understand?

    “It’s safer than being dressed as a Cub Scout, but only marginally.”

    A disgustingly ignorant comment. You seriously think “gay” equals “child abuser”?

  • Dread Cthulhu

    sevenmagpies: “A disgustingly ignorant comment. You seriously think “gay” equals “child abuser”?”

    No, I merely bask in the disquiet that arises when I point at the Scouting apparelled stage dancers at Sir Elton’s gigs in the past and the like. Similarly, of the gay men I have known personally (but not biblically), the numbers who have skated on the ragged edge of consent laws (and, in some cases, right off the edge) breaks about 55% to 45% in favor of the safe side.

  • World without religion

    I wonder what the reaction would have been if the parade in question was a pro-islam parade??????????

    Or a legalise prostitution parade????

    Or a pro-heterosexual parade?????

    If any firemen felt uncomfortable in the presence of Gay people should they be persecuted for it????
    This is a case for employment lawyers to sort out, not ne-cons to jump on.

    It seems we have a situation today wherby political correctness has gone mad and the so-called silent moral neo-Christian facists have seen something of a resurgence since 9/11.

    Everytime those Fasist inspired, born again evangelists, conservative neo cons, get a chance to jump on some percieved moral bandwagon they try and take society back to some kind of religious doctrine of control.

    In many ways 21st century retro-Christianity, (The whole panarama of Christianity) is as much a danger to freedoms fought for in Western society as fundermental islam.

    Those who try and defend the Firemen on moral belief grounds do so for their own ends not for the Firemen.

    My thoughts are:

    “Where are the hungry Lions when they are needed most” ????

  • Mustapha Mond

    Someone agree with me ffs, I need social acceptance!

  • Austin

    The Fire Brigade aren’t the only organisation attempting to reach out to the Gay Community.
    I note that Manchester City are the first premiership football club to fund a worker to try to draw greater support from the Gay community.

    No jokes that the first club should have been Fulham (nicknamed the Cottagers)

    As City are playing a friendly in Ballymena tomorrow night, can we expect a demonstration from The Free P’s?

  • T.Ruth

    You can love the sinner whilst loathing the sin. Lesbian sexual relationships are sinful and heterosexual behaviour is considered by Christians to be sinful outside marriage.It is not our place to condemn sinners but it is our Christian responsibility to witness to the Truth as we have received it and to bear witness to that Truth.It is the Christian belief that all have sinned so Christians understand better than anyone what it is like to have repented and been forgiven.We have a clear responsibility to love our neighbour and to treat others as we would wish to be treated and to be willing to help them in a way that is consistent with our faith.
    T.Ruth

  • Hell is Heaven, Heaven is Hell

    Lesbian sexual relationships are sinful and heterosexual behaviour is considered by Christians to be sinful outside marriage.

    What about male gay relationships??????

    It is not our place to condemn sinners but it is our Christian responsibility to witness to the Truth as we have received it and to bear witness to that Truth.

    No, witnesss the indoctrination as you have recieved it.
    And bear witness to that indoctrination.

    Before anyone can call Christian teachings the truth, let them prove it in a court of law and public opinion.

    Show us some clear hard evidence of truth, not some faith based doctrine formed over 2000 years to coral the masses into the Christian cult of money making, brainwashing and privilage for those at the top of this unproven collection of myths
    hiarachy.

    To back this up look at the wealth the church has in property and art,and continues to extort each week from its brainwashed followers.

    Show me a society free from religion and I will show you a society at ease with itself.

  • sevenmagpies

    “it is our Christian responsibility to witness to the Truth as we have received it and to bear witness to that Truth”

    In much the same way as it’s the responsibility of every rational thinking being to point and laugh at such benighted medieval attitudes.

  • sevenmagpies

    “Show me a society free from religion and I will show you a society at ease with itself.”

    It’s not just religion, it’s fanaticism in general.

  • Donnacha

    “it is our Christian responsibility to witness to the Truth as we have received it and to bear witness to that Truth”

    Fair enough but could you do it quietly please? Why is that Christians are allowed to stand up every Sunday and denounce their fellow humans as hellbound, sinful and an abomination and then they have the audacity to demand that everyone respects their point of view?

  • michael

    Dread Cthulhu

    Such sermonizing… michael, it is their right to hold these beliefs, unless Parliment has instituted “thought-crime” legislation since last I checked. Whatever happened to “diversity,” I wonder? Or does that not apply to personal beliefs of morality?

    actually, i didnt mean that such thoughts should be banned. i merely stated that i feel sad that such beliefs still exist. big difference there! but i appreciate what you’re saying. alas, i thought somone might Misinterpret in such a fashion!

    oh well, such is life!

  • Hell is Heaven, Heaven is Hell

    It’s not just religion, it’s fanaticism in general.

    Since 9/11 that fanaticism has reared its ugly head and by virtue of these demigogs, we have been offered only two choices:

    “either you are with us, (Christian Nazi) or against us, (Islamic Nazi’s)

    Most of us in the centre have no where to go, unless we fight back against the puritanical forces with a democratic, liberal, middle of the road backlash.

  • Rory

    I have been poring over the three copies of the bible in my house – the Douai, the King James and the JN Darby – and I’m damned if I can find any reference to the working rights of firefighters or their solemn duty to spread the message to gay and lesbian people.

    Does this mean I am bound to burn in eternal hellfire or will a gay band of firefighting angels come to my succour?

  • Fraggle

    I love the bit in the bible where the guy who gets to escape from Soddom and Gemorrah then went off and lived in a cave where he had sex with his two daughters. Go check it out.

  • Donnacha

    Egad, Fraggle, you’re right. I don’t remember that one being read out in church. That would be called date rape these days wouldn’t it?

  • Rory

    I think, Donnacha, it was seen contemporaneously as a matter of ‘needs must’. Had this last possible breeding couple (menage a trois?) not successfully mated their might not be any surviving Sodomites today.

    Just goes to show – God really does have a plan.

  • John East Belfast

    I wonder if these fire fighters would be disciplined if they were objecting Muslims ?

    I actually think they would be pressing a case for discrmination by being asked to officiate at this particular rally ?

  • Donnacha

    Ah, Rory, but was it God’s plan? After all, to extend your quote, isn’t it “needs must when the devil drives”? Not that I am making any judgements on people’s private lives. What others do with adn to each other is hardly my concern as long as no one gets hurt. I just wish I was getting some….

  • Christian Firefighter

    As a firefighter and a Christian I can not condone the actions of these homosexuals.
    In my view the best gay is one on fire.

    God will punish the homosexuals and we should do gods work for him.

    We should not tolerate anyone who a sexual deviant.

  • Animus

    We should not tolerate anyone who is a sexual deviant?! Who’s left, if we get rid of the onanists, the people who enjoy oral sex within the confines of marriage, the people who enjoy intercourse outside of marriage? Without even getting to homosexuals, there’s plenty of deviancy to go around.

    More and more Christians are supporting gay people. I find it amusing how some Christians want to speak for all of them. It’s not believable and it makes a poor case. Own your own prejudice and stand alone as the intolerant people you are, but don’t condemn the rest of the flock.

  • Turbopaul

    As a firefighter and a Christian I can not condone the actions of these homosexuals.
    In my view the best gay is one on fire.

    God will punish the homosexuals and we should do gods work for him.

    We should not tolerate anyone who a sexual deviant.

    A fair and balanced view according to modern retro Christian teachings!!!!!!!

    We, the majority, should not tolerate anyone who’s religious beliefs are to the detrement of society in general.

    As stated in an earlier post,

    Where are the Lions when needed most????

    Rather than call them the “Flock” mutton dressed up as Lamb, Gangsters in cassocks, is more appropriate.

  • Dread Cthulhu

    Animus: “We should not tolerate anyone who is a sexual deviant?! Who’s left, if we get rid of the onanists, the people who enjoy oral sex within the confines of marriage, the people who enjoy intercourse outside of marriage? Without even getting to homosexuals, there’s plenty of deviancy to go around. ”

    Contrariwise, then — should we tolerate the child-molestors and the polygamists? Should we give a societal stamp of approval of any and all?

    Without religion or some other rudder, one is left only with moral relativism, where anything can be rationalized.

    Ultimately, this is a clash of rights — the firefighters right of association and belief against the state’s right to force an individual to abandon those rights in the name of employment.

  • Dread Cthulhu

    michael: “actually, i didnt mean that such thoughts should be banned. i merely stated that i feel sad that such beliefs still exist. big difference there! but i appreciate what you’re saying. alas, i thought somone might Misinterpret in such a fashion! ”

    There is a right of an individual to their beliefs, within some fairly broad parameters. The firemen, as individuals, have a right of free association. The freedom to associate is also, and must be, the freedom not to associate. They should not be chastised for being politically incorrect or holding some belief that runs counter to the current vogue.

  • Animus

    Cthulu – If polygamists harm no one else, let them at it. Personally, it’s not for me, but some of the things I believe in aren’t for others. I don’t approve of Christianity, but if others want to practice it, that’s fine with me too. If no damage, physical or emotional, is caused, let people do whatever they feel like. If people want to suck toes, who am I to judge? If they can find someone happy to indulge their fetish, so be it. Child molestation is a completely different case than polygamy and does cause damage, so that’s not on.

    If the officers were on duty, they do not have the right to choose to put our fires for gay households. I used to do training with police on anti-racism issues, and even if I loathed the police (which I don’t) I couldn’t have turned down the work. Moreover, as a representative of an organisation serving the whole community, fire fighters have a duty to provide for the whole community. If they were so concerned, why didn’t they just quietly trade shifts with someone else?

  • sevenmagpies

    “Contrariwise, then—should we tolerate the child-molestors and the polygamists? Should we give a societal stamp of approval of any and all?”

    I notice you’re trying to shoe-horn child mosters into the discussion again. How about simply allowing consenting adults to make their own choices between themselves about how they express their love or commitment?

  • Dread Cthulhu

    Animus: “If the officers were on duty, they do not have the right to choose to put our fires for gay households.”

    Straw man — we’re not discussing putting out fiers, we’re discussing handing out fliers.

    Animus: “I used to do training with police on anti-racism issues, and even if I loathed the police (which I don’t) I couldn’t have turned down the work. Moreover, as a representative of an organisation serving the whole community, fire fighters have a duty to provide for the whole community. If they were so concerned, why didn’t they just quietly trade shifts with someone else? ”

    Neither here nor there. I am willing to wager they did not simply empty a firehouse and take a whole shift down to pass out fliers, nor did they short-hand a number of firehouses to make up the crew — the potential fall-out being what it is. Ergo, they either tried to dragoon these fellows or they authorized overtime and tried to dragoon these fellows. They should have a right to turn down hours that are not related to their core duties and do not put the population at risk.

  • Dread Cthulhu

    sevenmagpies: “I notice you’re trying to shoe-horn child mosters into the discussion again. How about simply allowing consenting adults to make their own choices between themselves about how they express their love or commitment”

    No shoe-horning necessary — they are one of the next wave of “minority groups” who are seeking recognition and affirmation. They have sought to organize a political party in the Netherlands to push for their civil rights and have similar advocacy groups in the US who have, in the past, been allowed to march in gay pride parades.

    The short form is that lines have to be drawn somewhere. An, given the “if it feels good it must be ok” notion that wanders aimlessly about, its not going to end once the status of homosexuals is settled.

    That aside, this issue has little enough to do with homosexuals, save tangentially. As I noted to Animus, the state should not have the right to dragoon a man for extra duty — they can ask for volunteers or employ them in this function during their scheduled hours, but mandatory overtime for a pr stunt is asking a bit much.

    One wonders, were this a BNP parade or an OO parade, would there be the same hue and cry.

  • Animus

    I would be concerned that if these firefighters are so willing to display their prejudices so openly, maybe it would take them a bit longer to reach a fire at a gay nightclub or whatever, so it is a relevant point.

    We don’t know how they brought people into service, whether it was forced or whatever. But recruiting new officers would seem to be a core duty to me.

  • Dread Cthulhu

    Animus: “I would be concerned that if these firefighters are so willing to display their prejudices so openly, maybe it would take them a bit longer to reach a fire at a gay nightclub or whatever, so it is a relevant point. ”

    Its whataboutery, Animus. If nothing else, a fire is a fire and it can easily spread. No sense making more work, as a minimum.

    Animus: “We don’t know how they brought people into service, whether it was forced or whatever. But recruiting new officers would seem to be a core duty to me.”

    For the central bureaucracy, maybe, but not for the rank and file.

    How would you react to your employer trying to swipe your down-time to make you go talk to, say, BNP members or some other group you disagree with? How enthused would you be to go?

  • TAFKABO

    Dread.

    Presumably you would fully support a Firefighters right to refuse to have any dealings with a catholic parade if the firefighters beliefs were opposed to roman catholicism?
    After all, you’ve got to draw the line somewhere, can’t have them catholics thinking they are just as normal as good protestant folk.

  • Animus

    If I was being paid, I would go ahead and do it. I currently work for an organisation which works with a number of others who I wouldn’t necessarily choose to play with out of school. Part of being a professional is working with other people though, isn’t it? I don’t work on my down time, I get recompensed. It’s not like these firefighters were told they have to be gay, or embrace all gays, they just had to hand out a few poxy fliers. I didn’t realise firefighters were such a sensitive lot.

    They sit around playing playstation when times are a bit slow – do they protest that that’s not part of their core duties? Didn’t think so.