Post by headcheese on Jan 11, 2006 5:25:15 GMT -5
Condom girl speaks out
07.01.2006
THE checkout operator who refused to sell condoms to a customer because it was against her Catholic beliefs was unrepentant yesterday.
The Rockhampton teen, 16, who asked not to be named, was responding to a report in yesterday?s Morning Bulletin.
We reported that the girl had refused to serve a woman, 19, who was buying condoms with her groceries at Woolworths Allenstown on Wednesday night.
The girl said it was the fifth time she had refused to sell condoms to a customer and she was prepared to do it again.
"I just say that I?m sorry, I?m Catholic, I can?t serve you.
"I just can?t have it on my conscience.
It is hard to do. I?m only 16.??
The girl said she had a right to hold and exercise her own religious beliefs.
"At work, someone has the right to their own beliefs.
"I can?t be told what morals and faith to believe.??
The girl said Woolworths had handled the matter well and had been understanding.
She said she was not facing disciplinary action or re-training.
The girl believed she had not embarrassed the woman she refused to serve on Wednesday.
She said the woman only waited a few seconds before being served and no-one else had heard their conversation.
The girl said it hurt to hear people talking about her stance.
"I didn?t say she (the customer) was a bad person. I didn?t think that. I didn?t pre-judge her.
"I didn?t sell them because it?s a part of my conscience.??
The girl?s father said he didn?t accept the woman was embarrassed about the situation because she contacted the Bully (via letter to the editor).
www.themorningbulletin.com.au/storydisplay.cfm?storyid=3667632&thesection=localnews&thesubsection=&thesecondsubsection=
