Are we still in school?
So I just got a memo from the management (well the secretary more like), saying that all Muslim staff have to attend some motivational camp thing for three days at some middle-of-nowhere place (so you can't escape or find alternate ways to utilize your time).
Now it's fine and all that some people will want to go for this - but to use threats of disciplinary action should employees listed refuse to go?
It's like a throwback to school all over again. No choice, no voice. Just go cos you're ordered to. I have done my share of compulsory activities for the 11 years of public school - including putting up with a half-baked education system that celebrates paper qualifications above personal development, no regard for enrichment in sports, arts and active thinking, and teachers that spend more time taking maternity leave and regurgitating workbooks than actually teaching.
And now, as a professional in her late 20's, I'm having so-called "disciplinary action" looming on my shoulders should I refuse to spend three precious days (remember I'm not in some mon-fri, punch-card driven, office hours only job) listening to some religious leader of sorts tell me how i'll be burnt in hellfire should I not cover up, be a good person, obey my husband without question, don't tempt the men, worship without question, etc etc etc
I know what the rules are, believe me. I've aced Agama all my life, even doing the exam in jawi (just to piss off the teachers who always punished me for asking questions about the religion that they were ALWAYS too ill-equipped to answer). I can recite verses (and it took independant learning to find out what they meant because our schools only expect blind memorization and the promise of heaven if you know all these verses and recite them as much as you can).
But what irks me is the fact that as I grew older, I started wanting to know more, to understand why some rules are the way they are. And apparently in my religion, that's a BIG no-no.
I resent the fact that I can't ask questions - because apparently that is questioning the word of God. Which if I remember correctly is the word of God as deciphered by men. Which means it is subject to context and the naturally occuring human error.
I'm not saying that all of religion is incorrect. But look at how the religion has been misused to the gains of some people - and the loss of rights of others. God gave us akal, or the mind, to think, to express ourselves, to rationalize the world. Blind obeisance is to shortchange the gift that has separated Man from Beast.
I don't want to be involved in hypocritical actions, to cover myself and pretend to fit in when I don't. I may not be practising my religion, but I believe in God and being a good person not just to myself but to others, universal values that transcend all beliefs. I'd rather not make a mockery of God and religion by putting on a facade, just for making the right impression.
And most importantly - why should a corporation play religious police when it should be concerned with the matters of the company itself? This is not their place. I didn't come here to get lectured - I came here to work, put the skills and talents I have, to good use.
As for issues of faith - it's an issue of personal conscience, and between me and God. So lay off these workshops and focus on work productivity.
2:12 PM
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