I told my boss that I couldn't participate in the Halloween Dress Up Contest due to religious reasons?

You should have a concrete conversation with him about his remark, "that's not a good excuse". Does he mean that he's requiring you to wear a costume? If so, what repercussions is he threatening if you don't? Now, is this boss THE boss, or just a department manager? If he's just a manager, has there been any official corporate communication on the event?

Do you really have a religious objection to the Halloween costume contest? If so, then cite the elements of your religious belief that supports your objection in writing and submit it to both the manager and somewhere up the line (HR, etc.)

If your objection is really something else, and now on a religious basis, then why not just join in the goofy festivities and not be a stick in the mud? You could always dress up as your boss! Of course that might have a different set of implications.

Good luck dude.

I commend you on your non secular quest. all human beings needs to detect their own direction to spirituality. unquestionably Halloween is debatable, besides the fact that if it may interest you to renowned that Halloween has been celebrated by ability of Catholics on account that a minimum of 835 advert while Pope Gregory IV moved the date to the eve of All Saints Day, and known because all of it Hallows Eve, as a result the commencing place of the call Halloween. This time of the twelve months historically remembers the spirits of the lifeless and became a non secular cleansing time of casting out devils and witches in preparation for the recent church twelve months. The Latin American community has a similar topic for it extremely is Catholic based Day of the lifeless. As for people who merchandise because of the fact it has pagan roots--each classic Christian party has pagan roots, because of the fact before Christianity it extremely is all there became--apart from Judaism which additionally has pagan roots for the comparable reason. The early Christians have been savvy adequate to evolve the pagan ceremonies for their own purposes. maximum pagan religions weren't evil, yet in simple terms nature based, such as community American ideals, and outfitted around seasonal events such because of the fact the harvest.

If you really do have religious reasons for not participating, your boss should respect that. Halloween activities are supposed to be fun, not required unless you work in a haunted house or something.

Move on and stick to your decision. Don't engage in continuous conversations about it. If he keeps bringing it up, just tell him you'll think about it.

But if you don't want to participate in a costume, just keep it to yourself. Once you show up for work, looking professional, I doubt he will make you leave.

But document these difficulties just in case he tries to include this on a performance evaluation.

Why did you have to say anything at all? You could have just come to work dressed normally. Don't bring religion into the work place.

He's an idiot. But if he drops the subject, you really should also. If he doesn't, go to HR or to his supervisor.