A police force may install “contemplation rooms” in stations so officers can “pray and have a quiet moment”. Cambridgeshire police opened one of the rooms at its headquarters in Huntingdon two years ago.
A spokeswoman said similar rooms could be opened in stations in there was enough demand from officers. She said the “contemplation room” at headquarters was introduced because chiefs felt that there was a need for a “multi-faith area”. Bosses did not monitor the room and officers were trusted to make sensible use of it, she added.
“The contemplation room is an area staff can use to pray or have a quiet moment,” she said. ”The room is not officially monitored and staff are trusted to use it sensibly. It was introduced as there was a need for a multi-faith area.
“At the moment there is only one at police HQ – although this may change should there be demand.” In October 2008, it was disclosed that police forces lost more than a million days as a result of long-term sick leave in 2007 – at a cost of nearly £90 million to the taxpayer.
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When I was doing dead-end jobs to keep the money coming in, I once worked as a nightcleaner in a shopping mall. I was assigned the multifaith prayer room, and as an atheist I found it something of an eye-opener.
You know when biologists create a biosphere or an aquarium full of incompatible species competing for space… the interfaith prayerroom was like a microcosm of all the religious conflicts in the world annexed behind the toilet block.
The statue of Jesus was constantly being covered with a black gown, the Talmud kept getting ripped up, the arrow pointing to Mecca was always being yanked or ripped off the wall, various religious icons kept being daubed with ketchup. It was like witnessing a slo-mo carcrash. I think I probably treated that room with more respect than any of the ‘faithful’ using it for it’s intended purpose, and I didn’t even buy into it!
probably more aptly called a “nap room”. i bet there’ll be more snoring than prayers heard by passersby.
@Flapjack.
that’s kind of horrible. i it’s guess not too surprising that combining faith with the attitudes of the typical mall employee would result in such a disaster. if i had managed the mall i would have just closed it. i’ve never heard of a room like that in an American mall, though as a country we don’t scruple at mixing faith and business.
in your situation i may’ve been tempted to join in by providing some pagan or satanic themed vandalism, just to spice things up a little.
Oh! From the headline I was thinking more “Now go upstairs and don’t come down until you think about what you’ve done”
“It was introduced as there was a need for a multi-faith area.” – Surely every room is a multi-faith area.
As someone with faith, I don’t really need a particular building, or room to go pray and contemplate in. I can do that during my break or lunch.
This is all quite ridiculous.
Chris – Funny you should say that… after trying it out for a year or two the management realised that they had no more hope of bringing about mutual respect between different faiths in one shared annexe room than they had of brokering the Middle-East peace process.
They shut it down and the entire wing has now been remodelled as a department store.
My conclusion was that religion and shopping don’t mix, especially culture-clash prayer rooms and shopping!
I should add that I was the one who had to wipe the ketchup off and restore some semblance of order after the day’s hostilities… there wasn’t much to choose between cleaning that room and cleaning the children’s creche!
They should also have a ‘no faith’ area… an area staff can use to think rationally and exchange sensible ideas…
Flapjack said “… the interfaith prayerroom was like a microcosm of all the religious conflicts in the world annexed behind the toilet block.” ROFL! Unfortunate for you that you ended up as the UN.
I”m just wondering what constitutes non-sensible use of the room? Possibly dressing up as Anne Widdecombe and dancing a tango whilst simultaneously trying to eat a jam doughout without licking your lips? Any thoughts?
I would very much like to contemplate an afternoon nap most workdays. But my company wouldn’t want to get near any sort of religion-in-the-workplace issues. We had a St. Patrick’s Day potluck, but only after a decision that , despite the “St.” bit, it was an entirely secular holiday.
I wish I had a quiet sit-down room at work, that would be fantastic.
crucial photo!
Sarah J – If only the ability to weild a hoover and a squeegee cloth were UN credentials, that would make a great addition to my CV! Should I apply?
”The room is not officially monitored and staff are trusted to use it sensibly”
Is this still talking about the police force or is it discussing schools?
Depends what the office/work place is like I guess. Type of work, schedules etc. There apparently was a need for it.
We do have a smoking lounge (one for the whole faculty), a room where you can lie down if you feel sick or if you are breastfeeding and therefor .. , lots of people have their own offices, some share, then there is the outside where you can go to for a walk to clean the inside if necessarily. I think we dont need one. People can ofcourse also go into a wardrobe/closet or something, it it really gets too much … or stay for a very long time in the bathroom (happens quite a lot).
And yes, it will cut back on short term sick days, probably also on long term sick days.
Fitness areas and such are ofcourse welcome as well … to get rid of the stress .. and nice hammocks ab above the desk and such … Some entertainment stuff … a bar … Yes, personnel will clear up fast!
Maybe take the work away, that will help a few here and there as well. Lots of solutions there.
I’m having weekend now!! Me Happy ((furby voice). Me love you … Give us a kiss … and a little sunshine please ..
Flapjack – I think you have all the necessary credentials for the UN – you’ve been a peacekeeper in a conflict situation, what more do they need to know?!
Maybe you’re onto to something though. Shopping might be the key to world peace – they could turn the areas of conflict around the world into massive department stores and peace would reign. I feel a song coming on…. “All we are saying is give Next a chance,…”
“People can ofcourse also go into a wardrobe/closet or something, it it really gets too much ”
This made me LOL. Next time it all gets too much I am marching right into the coat closet at reception.
“The area is not officially monitored..” Oh,great another room where you could “fall down the stairs” then.
i work at a prominant cancer organization and we NEED our quiet/contemplation room. I’m not sure if a faith-based one is a good idea, but a quiet room to think is probably something a lot of police officers could benefit from.
AKA: the nooky room
The police have stressful jobs and see some nasty things, I think a room where they can just chill out is a good idea!
Seeing all those motorway accidents and violence must make some of them ill with stress after a while!
As for the picture… Sometimes I feel like I need a swat team when dealing with my babies.
‘staff are trusted to use it sensibly’. I’m surprised she thought that this had to be said. What kind of unsensible things is she worried about happening?
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