Muslim Refuses To Sell Bible Story Book At M&S

Arthurgray50@blu · 15-01-2008, 22:47

I read in todays edition of The Star, that a woman wanted to buy Bible stories book for a member of her family, but the Muslim assistant wouldn't touch it and sell it, as i was 'unclean', how disgraceful is that, and all M&S would do was apologise to the customer, she should have been sacked, we have enough problems in this country, with silly problems that are incurred by stupidy, and yet we have another one crop up, l am absolutely certain that members of the Muslim community firmly believe that they do not want to offend other religious societies, and when we think the Bible, we think of every faith, l have the highest respect for different faiths, l am not a racist, but how low can you get.

Tech_Boy · 15-01-2008, 23:00

If you want the freedom to practice your own religion, you MUST be willing to respect other peoples religion, that or move to a country that is has no freedom of religion & practices only your religion.

(awaits his kicking from the bleeding heart liberal PC brigade)

**Stuart C** · 15-01-2008, 23:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arthurgray50@blu

I read in todays edition of The Star, that a woman wanted to buy Bible stories book for a member of her family, but the Muslim assistant wouldn't touch it and sell it, as i was 'unclean', how disgraceful is that, and all M&S would do was apologise to the customer, she should have been sacked, we have enough problems in this country, with silly problems that are incurred by stupidy, and yet we have another one crop up, l am absolutely certain that members of the Muslim community firmly believe that they do not want to offend other religious societies, and when we think the Bible, we think of every faith, l have the highest respect for different faiths, l am not a racist, but how low can you get.

Race has nothing to do with it. Islam is a religion, not a race.
We don't have a forced religion in this country. Why should she be forced to sell something she considers against her religion? The other question is why couldn't the customer find a member of staff who was willing to sell?

Having said that, I believe the world would be a lot nicer place if we *all* learned to make concessions.

**Russ B** · 15-01-2008, 23:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arthurgray50@blu

I read in todays edition of The Star, that a woman wanted to buy Bible stories book for a member of her family, but the Muslim assistant wouldn't touch it and sell it, as i was 'unclean', how disgraceful is that, and all M&S would do was apologise to the customer, she should have been sacked, we have enough problems in this country, with silly problems that are incurred by stupidy, and yet we have another one crop up, l am absolutely certain that members of the Muslim community firmly believe that they do not want to offend other religious societies, and when we think the Bible, we think of every faith, l have the highest respect for different faiths, l am not a racist, but how low can you get.

Firstly if it was in The Star then I'm not sure how heavily edited that story was. They're not known for being all that truthful.

Secondly if it IS true then shame on the Muslim woman. Would she have sought employment in a butcher's shop? I doubt it.

Xaccers · 15-01-2008, 23:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russ B

Secondly if it IS true then shame on the Muslim woman. Would she have sought employment in a butcher's shop? I doubt it.

She might if it was a halal or kosher butcher's shop.

M&S sell books??
I thought they only sold Mrs T's underwear and overpriced food?
"This isn't just bible stories, this is haram bible stories"

Why shouldn't she be allowed to refuse to sell something her religious belief considers forbidden?

It's not like she was the only person serving, just like the cigarettes and alcohol stories we've heard before.

Should your employer be able to force you to do things that are against your religion Russ, and sack you if you refused?
I think not.

Shaun · 15-01-2008, 23:24

Quote:

I read in todays edition of The Star

nuff said :rolleyes

**Russ B** · 15-01-2008, 23:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xaccers

Should your employer be able to force you to do things that are against your religion Russ, and sack you if you refused?

I think common sense would tell me not to apply for a job which would put me in contact with an item considered 'unclean' or whatever the equivalent would be.

Xaccers · 15-01-2008, 23:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russ B

I think common sense would tell me not to apply for a job which would put me in contact with an item considered 'unclean' or whatever the equivalent would be.

Until tonight I didn't know M&S sold books, let alone bible stories books!
Do you honestly expect potential applicants to scour the shelves of M&S or any other department store incase there is anything haram or not kosher?
Seriously?
How do you know that the books weren't stocked after she started working there either?

**Rob** · 15-01-2008, 23:45

Title clarified for the sake of accuracy

**Russ B** · 15-01-2008, 23:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xaccers

Until tonight I didn't know M&S sold books, let alone bible stories books!

M&S sell all kinds of things.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xaccers

Do you honestly expect potential applicants to scour the shelves of M&S or any other department store incase there is anything haram or not kosher?

No. But I would expect them to have the common sense to realise a department store sells all sorts of items to appeal to all sections of society. Even the ones that some people might be uncomfortable dealing with.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xaccers

Seriously?

Certainly.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xaccers

How do you know that the books weren't stocked after she started working there either?

I don't see how that is relevant. As I said above, I'd expect people to have a bit of common sense to realise that a department store (which by definition would sell a large range of items) could easily bring me in to contact with perceived 'unsavoury' items.

Case in point: I had the chance to apply for work at a certain radio station in South Wales last year. I chose not to when I researched what sort of direction the station would be expected to be going in within a few years as it would put me at odds with my views.

danielf · 15-01-2008, 23:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob

Title clarified for the sake of accuracy

I was rather expecting: "Daily Star claims Muslim refuses to sell Bible at M&S"

bopdude · 15-01-2008, 23:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russ B

I think common sense would tell me not to apply for a job which would put me in contact with an item considered 'unclean' or whatever the equivalent would be.

True, in a broader sense you / I wouldn't apply for a job that involved lifting if we had a bad back. If there's any chance of a conflict be it religeon or faith, or whatever, then surely the person must be classed as unfit for work, if they can't do the job they applied for after they get they job

---------- Post added at 23:56 ---------- Previous post was at 23:54 ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arthurgray50@blu

l am not a ..........................................

Loosing count of the threads / argu ............. disscussions

that you put that line in

punky · 16-01-2008, 00:08

What I don't get is if this person objects to selling an object to someone, why work there? Why work there, and refuse to sell certain goods? That's the stupidity of it all. Regligion or no religion. Do you often get many Catholics working in abortion clinics and then refusing to book in patients? If they really want nothing to do with Bible story books that it shouldn't be unreasonable for them to work somewhere that doesn't have Bible story books surely?

Its not really been an issue for me though. I shop in Tescos in Edmonton which has a fair chunk of Muslim employees. Every one so far has sold me alcohol, sausages and bacon, even going so far as to touch the packaging.

---------- Post added at 00:08 ---------- Previous post was at 00:05 ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xaccers

Why shouldn't she be allowed to refuse to sell something her religious belief considers forbidden?

Because that's what she's paid for? She's not forced to work there.

bopdude · 16-01-2008, 00:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gavin

What I don't get is if this person objects to selling an object to someone, why work there?

That's what I meant ...... ish

Quote:

Originally Posted by bopdude

If there's any chance of a conflict be it religeon or faith, or whatever, then surely the person must be classed as unfit for work, if they can't do the job they applied for after they get they job

**Stuart C** · 16-01-2008, 00:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gavin

Because that's what she's paid for? She's not forced to work there.

And, how many people (for whatever reason) have to work in a job they hate, or even find fundamentally offensive because they can't afford not to?

Also, how long have M&S been selling Religious stories? Last time I went in to an M&S, they didn't. They may not have when she started. If she was already in the job, she would probably have to give notice if she intended to leave.

However, there is nothing stopping her finding a member of staff willing to sell the book.