Mark seems to be old school Christian, like our grandmothers were. That doesn't fit with modern sports culture, and definitely not in the Bay Area.
So yes,
his traditional religious values are part of the reason why he's had difficulty getting rehired...not the only reason. but it plays a part. You brushed that part off like I was making it up. He might be over the top with it it, but it's almost as if they want a person of faith to keep that in the closet, while championing people who reveal what their sexual orientation is.
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I had personal experience with this recently. I told my aunt that nobody cares what your beliefs are at work, and you get paid to work..not to convert people,preach, pass out tracts. Gay dude at her job is trying to get her out of the paint. She thought that because nobody ever reprimanded her for it it that it was okay, nah.
I say the same thing to her that I would say to MJ or any other overtly religious person. If you carry yourself in a certain manner, you won't ever have to try to convert anybody..they will see the peace that surrounds you and ask you where it comes from.