Conflicts between Religion and Sexual Orientation: Two Cases with Different

Outcomes (Richard Peterson/Hewlett-Packard and Albert Buonanno/AT&T).

The conflict of Richard Peterson with Hewlett-Packard and the one of Albert
Buonanno with AT&T Broadband are both situations that demonstrate
discrimination and inequality among people of different sexual orientation and
religious beliefs. Peterson, a devout Christian did not respect the diversity
community, at which he worked and disrespected the other coworkers. We live in a
world where all people despite their orientations and choices, fight for their rights
as equal humans. That is why diversity has to be valued as it gives people the chance
to feel free, but Peterson by posting Bible scriptures condemning homosexuality
threatened the diverse environment of the other workers. Peterson by knowing how
HP supported diversity and had built a diverse environment with a policy against
discrimination of any type or action chose to show that kind of behavior without
considering the consequences. The Bible sentences that Peterson showed on his car
most likely prevented the other workers to feel calm and equal, by confusing their
minds. They could have felt race discrimination and pre judging based on their
personal choices. It is a probable outcome but not for sure as many workers are
used to these situations and know how to avoid them. But even if they give their
best, it is impossible to completely close your eyes. It is not a respectful gesture
when you work in a diverse company, because it conveys discrimination and
inequality. Peterson had no right to post Bible words against homosexuality related
to lives of other people. The court rejected Peterson’s claims of religious
discrimination upon him. His Christian devotion had nothing to do with his actions
and his disrespect. Despite everything Peterson should have respected his
coworkers and if he did not like them he would have just avoid talking to them. On
the hand Albert Buonanno, a devout Catholic claimed that he experienced religious
discrimination after his company fired him. Albert refused to sign an agreement
stating that he would value his fellow employees and their natures. After he refused,
the company fired him and Albert had claimed that he could not value
homosexuality or other religious beliefs. His ideas and thoughts could express
different prejudices to other people and he did not respect anyone expect of
Catholics. Although the jury and the court ruled for Albert, because of the way he
was fired, the consequences for the company were not very harsh. Both of the
situations have similar stories and even though the jury’s decisions are different, the
point of how the diversity communities are not valued is expressed. That is what it
is important and people should all learn how to respect others, despite sexual
orientation or any type of difference. Buonanno would have done the best thing by
signing the document and expressed his awareness and respect to all people by
valuing their choices. Instead he refused by ending up losing his job and going
through many trials only because of his discrimination behavior.
The outcomes are different because in the case of Peterson, he was given some time
off and after he returned he repeated his action of posting Bible sentences. Packard
as a company that supported diversity and had many diverse employees had no
choice expect of firing him. Peterson could not win the trial as his behavior was not
regarded as right and he did not know how to value diversity. While on the situation
of Albert he managed to win the trial of religious discrimination by the company,
because he was immediately fired and the judge considered that part quite
important. However he did not know how to value the environment at which he
worked and he was fired for his behavior and objection of signing the document
showing that he valued his fellow workers. Both the situations have different
outcomes, but their overall results raise the constant concerns regarding valuation
of diversity communities.