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jhofficial · Lieutenant Joined: 03 Sep 2008 Posts: 216

What the heck is going on over on the AVE. In these tough times, when if I'm not mistaken just a few weeks ago they were in a sense begging for donations. Now a citizen tries to make a donation and not only do they not accept it they throw him out over a head dress. Thats right his religious head dress. They say they have a rule about removing your head gear when you enter, because they have this big cross as soon as you walk in so you cant mistake it as a house of the lord. Well I ask you this Mr Weeks, what ever happen to the teaching of coming to the lord as you are.

I wonder how the family or families that will not be helped now feel about your stubbornness. I have a room full of nice stuff that we dont have a use for that the wife has been on me for weeks to dispose of. I wouldn't throw it away. Was gonna bring it to the mission, but I can assure you now that some other organization will be receiving it Friday!!!!!!!!!

SunAlsoRises · Forum General Joined: 11 Jan 2007 Posts: 1945 Location: NC

Where did this happen?? Do you have a link?
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jhofficial · Lieutenant Joined: 03 Sep 2008 Posts: 216

Kim · Posted: Wed Nov 19, 2008 8:35 pm Post subject:

What a pity that for the citizens who really need the help, lately I have been putting our extra clothes in those white boxes all over town or giving them to Hannah's Place, I'm glad we did & will continue to.

Mr. Weeks needs to get himself in check ~ perhaps he might want to read his bible & remember this passage " Judge not lest ye be judged".
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Powerful Women's Motto:
Live your life in such a way that when your feet hit the floor in the morning, Satan shudders & says... 'Oh $hit....she's awake!!'

Cap'n Slappy · Posted: Wed Nov 19, 2008 10:51 pm Post subject:

Intolerance by Christians? I don't believe it? Rolling Eyes

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telg68 · Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2008 8:35 am Post subject:

If you're donating womens clothes and children's clothes and items you'd be better off giving them to Hannah's anyway. They don't house women and children at the Mission anymore from what I understand. Since that's what I donate 90% of the time that's where I go. There are more house fires this time of year, maybe you could donate your stuff directly to a family in need? They usually have articles in The Herald when that happens.

Kim · Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2008 2:32 pm Post subject:

I agree with ya Telg....Not only that but Hannahs Place gives the clothes to the needy while the Union Mission sells alot of theirs. Personally if I am giving the clothes away to the needy I do not want them to have to pay for them if they are in need.
_________________
Powerful Women's Motto:
Live your life in such a way that when your feet hit the floor in the morning, Satan shudders & says... 'Oh $hit....she's awake!!'

JRT · Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2008 7:05 pm Post subject:

I guess Rev Weeks does not need donations as bad as they say.

jhofficial · Lieutenant Joined: 03 Sep 2008 Posts: 216

Thankfully Mr Weeks is getting hammered on the daily herald site.

Sikhâ€™s Turban Sparks Controversy, Rejected Donation

Lance Martin, Daily Herald Senior Staff Writer

ROANOKE RAPIDS — Between the he said, he said banter of who was belligerent, comes the issue of respect of religions and policy.

Gary Khera’s donation to a local non-profit group was declined because he refused to remove his turban, a symbol of the Sikh religion.

Khera, a U.S. and Indian citizen, came to the Union Mission with his wife of 23 years, Gwendolyn, this week to donate cash or food. He said he was prepared to give a cash donation to feed at least 50 people.

He usually mails his donation, but on Tuesday he decided to go in person.

While the Union Mission claims Khera, 54, was disruptive, it doesn’t deny they refused his donation.

The sign on the door leading to the lobby of the mission on Roanoke Avenue, written in 2-inch tall letters, tells visitors to turn off cell phones, forbids food or drink and requests all males remove headcovers.

The turban, however, is part of Khera’s religion and is worn all day and he said while he respects the policy, the Supreme Court has ruled religious coverings do not have to be removed.

He explained he was there to make a donation and the in-take director, Florence Williams, asked him to remove the turban. “When she said that I was really upset,” he said.

Williams then declined to talk to him and talked to his wife.

“I asked if there was anyone else I could talk to,” Khera said, and he was told the Rev. Ron Weeks, executive director of the Mission, was available.

Khera said he was escorted to the alcove between the front door and the door leading into the lobby. He said Weeks would not shake his hand.

Khera said he calmly tried to explain he was there to give a donation and that Williams wanted him to remove his turban. Weeks explained the policy and Khera was told if he didn’t follow the policy, he could take the donation elsewhere.

The only difference in the recollection of the conversation by both parties is that Weeks and Williams say Khera was belligerent. In turn, Khera describes the Union Mission officials as belligerent.

“We have policy and he didn’t want to abide by it,” Weeks said yesterday. “He gave the receptionist a bad time and decided to do a vengeance thing because he didn’t get his own way. This was nothing to do with the turban, nothing to do with his faith.”

The policy, Weeks said, “Is that’s how we honor the Lord. It was not religion with him, he tried to make it religion. It was clear he wanted to argue and fight.”

Asked if he knew Khera, a Roanoke Rapids resident and business owner, made yearly donations to the Mission by mail, Weeks said, “If he wants to continue donating it’s best he does that or stop and donate to someone else.”

Asked if the Mission’s board of directors was aware of the incident, Weeks said, “This probably happens once a month. It’s not a big deal to us.” Jeff Holm, chairman of the Mission’s board, told the Daily Herald this morning that until he had more information he would not comment on the incident.

Weeks said he didn’t believe the Union Mission was trying to deny Khera’s freedom of religion. If that is the case, Weeks said, “He’s trying to deny us ours. That’s his problem, not ours. He made the choice and didn’t like the outcome.”

Williams said she was not trying to disrespect Khera’s faith. “I’m sorry it happened,” she said. “The sign says on the door all males take off their (headcovers). This is a church.”

While Khera says it was Union Mission staff who were belligerent to him, he adds that it is not the point, it is the respect for his religion at issue.

The Sikh religion teaches peace, he said, which is one of the reasons he applied for citizenship. “I’m proud to be a U.S. citizen,” he said. “You can tell the world what actual freedom is. You can practice any religion. You can have your dreams come true and make a difference in your family and your community.”

Gwendolyn, who is dedicated to her husband’s culture and religion, said she was upset when her husband was asked to remove his turban. “The people are friendly,” she said of the temple she goes to with her husband. “They treat you as a family. The kids learn a lot. If you go to the temple you feel good, they respect you, they treat you like their own.”

Khera said he has never been targeted for his turban before except in the aftermath of 9/11. When he visited the U.S. Supreme Court no one asked him to remove the turban.

No one can question his patriotism, he said, and he speaks proudly of Sikh participation in World War I and World War II. “They are the best fighters,” he said. “In World War II and World War I, the British used them all over the world to fight.”

His son, he said, is joining the Air Force. “It’s his dream to be an Air Force pilot.”

His daughter started a newspaper at KIPP Pride High in Gaston and is raising money to keep needy students in school. “In our tradition in every temple, people of all races and religions sit on the same row and eat the same food.”

While these temples are ready to fight for Khera on a legal level, he has declined to press the matter. “I have at least 10 e-mails from the temple, from legal defense telling me what to do,” he said. “I’m not looking to fight back so we can stay here and keep peace.”

Khera will talk with the Halifax County Department of Social Services about another place to make his donation.

“I just want to be heard,” he said. “We need more education about other religions. In our temple we read everything, we don’t go by one. We do everything in praise of God.”

jhofficial · Lieutenant Joined: 03 Sep 2008 Posts: 216

gina lilley wrote on Nov 20, 2008 9:30 PM:

" Well i just want to say that i have worked for Gary for 8 years on and off.I think it was very nice of him to try to give money to help people.Most people do not donate anything.If there was a problem inside about his turban then they could have asked him to step outside to donate.Plus that was a lobby .The inside church is to the left in a different room so he was not in the church . If so then they have a kitchen in there church.Point is he was tring to help hungry people.I think they could have found a way to accept the money if they cared about feeding the hungry.Instead they cared more about what was on his head instead of the 50 hungry people.WHAT WOULD JESUS DO?In fact where in the bible does it say not to wear a hat? Or is it a man made rule hum i wonder?If u know please email me the answer.I want to thank Gary for his effort and strength in his religion.
sincerly,Gia "

Harpreet wrote on Nov 20, 2008 9:05 PM:

" I am just disappointed that the Union Mission, being a religious organization could not understand the another person of faith just because Mr. Khera belong to another faith. Truth is higher, but still higher is the truthful living. Union Mission needs to look inside and see what did they loose and what did they gain. "

dogfish wrote on Nov 20, 2008 9:02 PM:

" This is outrageous! "

Outraged wrote on Nov 20, 2008 7:19 PM:

" As a citizen of RR I am outraged of the expectations of Rev. Weeks to ask someone to remove thier headcovering just to enter the lobby of the mission whether it be a ball cap, toboggan, visor or turban. I could understand if they were in the sanctuary or the room where a church service was being held or the dinner table. If Mr. Khera is an american citizen but chooses to practice a different religion than Rev. Weeks we should respect that. If he wanted to feed one person or the 50 he claims -the mission should be ashamed for not accepting the money. Wearing a hat or headcovering in a lobby is not disrespectful. If my husband had come in with a cap to cover a scar or hair loss due to chemo -would his donation be turned down.If a citizen came in with a santa hat on with gifts would they be asked to remove thiers? If anything I think the lord would be disapointed in Weeks. I will no longer support this mission based on this situation. "

former resident wrote on Nov 20, 2008 6:51 PM:

" this is disgusting. why turn away this man while he was trying to do a good deed, to give to the mission. some individuals really need to define what is the word Christian in the dictionary in biblical terms. "

Kay wrote on Nov 20, 2008 6:25 PM:

" How sad.....Shame on the Union Mission for not respecting this man's religion. Now they are out of donations in this tough economical times. I hope Mr. Khera finds another worthy cause to support and make donations to! "

Keith wrote on Nov 20, 2008 4:58 PM:

" This is the most ridiculous thing that I have heard in a long time. It is actually beyond stupid. The rule to take off your hat should only apply to the people that use their services, NOT DONORS. I would be willing to bet that the UPS Man and Mail Man do not have to remove their hats when deliverig mail or packages. Florence Williams and Rev. Ron Weeks should be suspended(unpaid) and have to come out of their pockets for the amount of money that Mr. Gary Khera and his wife was going to donate.

As tough as times are, to do something this stupid is outrageous. "

T-ONE wrote on Nov 20, 2008 3:05 PM:

" this is utter ignorance. if you don't understand one's culture you really should educate yourself. still, why not take the donation? "

Keith wrote on Nov 20, 2008 2:27 PM:

" This is ridiculous. In the past, the Union Mission has complained of economic problems and inadequate space for people at the mission. Now they are turning people back because an individual refused to remove his turban. This is the behavior that is reprehensible. This is a form of racism. The employees involved at the Mission not only lack culture, or else they would have known how ridiculous they were by asking Mr. Khera to remove his turban, but also they exhibited prejudice and selfishness. All this individual wanted to do was share his successes with member of the community that were not as fortunate. We really need to get a grip! "

Betty wrote on Nov 20, 2008 1:51 PM:

" It is with great pride that one religion faces the other with their diverse rights. In this matter the turban should have been kept on and the donation handed through the door, or mailed as usual. The donation appears to have been a gift. It should not have been a bribe to diminish the religious rights of his benefactors. If he wishes to have his religious rights respected then he must surely understand that the recipients of a gift need not set aside their own religious policies and rights to take his offering. The Supreme Court says he has rights...but he must in turn respect the rights of others and not attempt to breach the rights of others. His rights do not eliminate the rights of others. Respect of rights goes both ways. "

madatthat wrote on Nov 20, 2008 1:34 PM:

" If the missions purpose is to help the needy, it shouldnt have mattered what Khera had on his head. You think those living on the street would have treated him like that if he was trying to donate something to them.(which was what he was trying to do) This is dont a case of respect or disrespect, its a case of ignorance. "

KLM wrote on Nov 20, 2008 12:42 PM:

" This is very sad for our community. The main/one place that people have to go for help treats people as though they are beggars or less than. To Rev Weeks and the In take Coordinator, serving God does not mean that one individual has to "conform" (as Rev Weeks said on the news)to rules which are not what the Bible teaches us. The treatment received from the "intake" coordinator is not surprising as many others have complained of the same disrectful treatment. It is a sad day when an organization who is on television one week asking for food, help and contributions can not take a few minutes to say thank you for a contribution. I am very certain of many ministers who from the pulpit would not have asked this gentleman to remove his turban if he had entered the church. People were lined up around the block at the mission today and because of the treatment of a person who would love to donate, many more will remain hungry. Next time, try Loving thy neighbor. Jesus said, whatever you do to the least of them, you have done unto me. "

Amazed wrote on Nov 20, 2008 12:32 PM:

" I am amazed that a mission that is always saying they do not have enough would turn someone away for this reason. The mission is supposed to be about helping others and for this man to be willing to donate enough for 50 people and be turned away is absurd. This is America and we can all choose our religions whether others approve or not. I hope that Mr. Khera finds some other cause to donate to I am sure there are many who will accept it gratefully even if he is wearing his turban. "

ThornInMyPride · Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2008 12:57 am Post subject:

We donate regularly to the UM... I will be looking elsewhere as well
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telg68 · Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2008 7:49 am Post subject:

I stopped donating to the Mission when I found out that they no longer accepted women and children. Hannah's is a battered women's shelter, if women and children need help and they aren't getting smacked around then where do they go? Are they still welcome at Hannah's if they aren't battered?

While I recognized that Rev Weeks has the right to run his establishment any way wants he also has the right to act like (or be perceived as) an ass. We also have the right to take our donations elsewhere so I don't really see this as a problem. Maybe we should make a list of other places to donate? We will be doing Scouting for Food in February, should we decided not to take that food to the UM we will need somewhere else to go. My den usually gives our food to Hannah's, especially if we get donations of baby items.

Apparently Jim thinks Mr. Khera's money is worthless because how it was earned. Guess money from a topless bar isn't as green as money earned from a regular 9 to 5 job?

SunAlsoRises · Forum General Joined: 11 Jan 2007 Posts: 1945 Location: NC

Nighthawk · Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2008 10:15 am Post subject:

I'm a churchgoing Christian and I would have no issue with this man coming in and donating.

If you are looking for somebody else to donate to, I would also suggest the Angel Closet. Gilbert Portela runs this single-handedly and helps everybody; men, women, and children. He is really hard working and dedicated and will take everything from furniture, clothes, and money.

The Rock · Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2008 11:51 am Post subject:

Oh no, if I wear a hat inside of a church or some other kind of building, God is sure to hate me forever. Give me a break. A hat/headgear/whatever etc. is really this big of a deal to the Union Mission? Sounds to me like they don't need any more donations for this holiday season if they're ready to start turning people away on such HUGE ISSUES LIKE WEARING A HAT INSIDE OF A BUILDING.