We have gotten a new administrator where I work (nursing home) who is apparently very religious. We had tornado warnings at work yesterday and when news came of a touchdown the next town over he (kind of jokingly) said if anyone's not right with God they've got about 15 minutes. On top of that, they've started praying at inservices and drop Christian slurs all over the place. The DON is big into the church, the ADON is religious. Most of the doctors are big into church. This is a small southern town and it's gospel music, neatly cropped hair, button down shirts and Hush Puppies all the way. They think I'm so meek and sweet as sugar, the patients love me and I love them (and I do!) I wonder what they would think if they knew. I make these natural hippie soaps and so many people scramble to buy them (even though these soaps are very expensive to make I sell them super cheap just because it makes me happy that I can make something other people like and I like to see them happy). They probably think I'm a Christian like them.
I just wonder what they would think of me if they knew. Maybe it shouldn't be a big deal to me, but it bothers me. I think they may feel a combination of disgust, pity, anger and frustration and I'm afraid they would even fire me. Of course, they can't discriminate on religion, but you know how the cookie crumbles...I have a big heart and I really care about other people, but I'm as atheist as Carl Sagan. I fight hard to respect them with their religion, but I somehow doubt the favor would be returned.
Ever dealt with or seen this? What do you think the outcome would be if a small, devoutly religious southern community who was all about appearances found out a valued employee held such an abhorrent (to them) view of the world?
The OP seems to have a lot going on right now judging by their other threads so my opinion is to leave religion or lack thereof out of the equation right now at work. If when other things settle down you want to make your feelings known at work then do so. Personally I would keep the info to myself as I don't think your faith or lack of and/or who you vote for need to be made known in the workplace.
It just seems to me that it is a double standard for people to say they do not discriminate on the basis of "religion" nor do they endorse any one particular religion (the employee handbook clearly states this), yet they church people to death at this nursing home and it is shoved at everyone (employee and patient) like it or not. People who don't understand how small communities work just don't get how it could be perceived as "important" what you believe. I heard one church member spit the word "atheist" out (referring to this old ex-navy patient who told her he was not interested in her preaching) as though it was a filthy, evil word. He's an atheist...
And in this small community YOUR business is EVERYONE's business, it isn't a matter of believing yourself to be "important" to them.
And it isn't a simple matter of "go find another place to work."
I would love to act out the George Carlin skit for them (check it out on youtube, "people are diseased", I think is what you type in) but I'd be sealing my fate, I think.
When they said a prayer at the last inservice I looked around the room to see if there were any dissenters. I saw one guy looking around. We made eye contact and kind of raised our eyebrows at one another. Maybe I'm not the only one.
And weak atheists are not "the same thing" as agnostics. Even the link you provided doesn't say that.
An agnostic in an of itself does not deny the existence of a god. An atheist (and your link says all atheists are weak atheists...ALL OF THEM), by very definition, do not believe in the existence of a god.
And by simply putting those terms together, (atheist agnostic), you essentially say that you don't believe in the existence of any diety, but they don't make claims to any knowledge that a diety doesn't exist.
But I've yet to see an atheist who believes in the existence of a god...:icon_roll
Man you hear but you don't understand.
I believe the preponderance of evidence shows there is no god. I don't KNOW or believe anything. I think belief is ridiculous. Hence I hold no belief in god. I also hold no belief that there is no god. Both are beliefs.
I know there is no evidence of god BUT no evidence doesn't mean there is no god. It just means there is no evidence. That my friend IS the definition of agnosticism. And agnosticism IS weak atheism.
Specializes in med-surg, psych, ER, school nurse-CRNP.
Well, as a lapsed Church of Christ, whose last day in church was when an elder told me that my GM and my best friend were "goin' straight to Hell" because they were Methodist, I'll weigh in. I won't go so far as to say I am an atheist, but I agree with the poster who was the "non-churchy" type.
My last job, the doc was extremely religious. She had a gentlemen come in and lay hands on patients, which creeped me out to no end. And then they would both tell me stories about how this guy had made hands grow back after amputation, etc. My Mama once gave me some sage advice "Just smile and nod". Noncommittal, doesn't ruffle feathers, etc. I feel for you, Jo, cause I know it can be wretchedly uncomfortable. Good luck, hon.
Specializes in Flight Nurse, Pedi CICU, IR, Adult CTICU.
Well, the best I've seen has been the Unitarian Universalist church. A good 1/3+ of their members are non-religious, but they provide the necessary societal interactions that make up most of the benefits of organized religion. Also, it's a decent place for both me and my wife (a wavering deist/pantheist/liberal Christian) to get along.
Of course, though, the central theme of the place is humanist in nature instead of being based on what one does and doesn't believe on a supernatural level.
The day the first UU hospital opens, I'll move there and sign up.
I understand the function and philosophy of the UU church, but I have to admit...I don't "get it."
It might be the part of me that is averse to organized religion...kind of transfers to the similar concept of organized "semi-religion." I don't know how often they "meet" or "worship," but I would find it hard to not think that I was wasting my time.
But that's just me, and to each their own. God knows that I catch enough grief (speaking lightly) for refusing to attend church when I am around my family.
Specializes in Flight Nurse, Pedi CICU, IR, Adult CTICU.
Man you hear but you don't understand.
I believe the preponderance of evidence shows there is no god. I don't KNOW or believe anything. I think belief is ridiculous. Hence I hold no belief in god. I also hold no belief that there is no god. Both are beliefs.
I know there is no evidence of god BUT no evidence doesn't mean there is no god. It just means there is no evidence. That my friend IS the definition of agnosticism. And agnosticism IS weak atheism.
All of what you say is reasonable, but the last sentence.
Agnosticism is not weak atheism. Not my opinion.
It's fact.
Otherwise, you'll have to explain to the Christian Agnostics how they are simultaneously denying the existence of the very God they believe in.
I understand the function and philosophy of the UU church, but I have to admit...I don't "get it."
It might be the part of me that is averse to organized religion...kind of transfers to the similar concept of organized "semi-religion." I don't know how often they "meet" or "worship," but I would find it hard to not think that I was wasting my time.
But that's just me, and to each their own. God knows that I catch enough grief (speaking lightly) for refusing to attend church when I am around my family.
Well their services are a trip, and I often work Sundays, so do the math. However, I totally get why organized religion is appealing for many people, and having a stable community you can rely on is nothing to short-change, but I can take it or leave it myself.
I've been putting weaking atheism = agnosticism. I should be putting agnostic atheism. My bad.
Yes there ARE agnostic theists.
I am an agnostic atheist. Actually I should try to avoid labels... I have felt differently at different times. So, some post reflect one feeling and another reflects another.
I make NO claim on the existence of god though. Science specifically states that nothing is impossible. Only highly improbable. I run with that.
As to my quote. It is by Hugo Wolf about bipolar disorder.
Specializes in Flight Nurse, Pedi CICU, IR, Adult CTICU.
Well their services are a trip, and I often work Sundays, so do the math. However, I totally get why organized religion is appealing for many people, and having a stable community you can rely on is nothing to short-change, but I can take it or leave it myself.
I completely agree...I see so many people gain substantial benefit from their organized worship, and I would find it disingenuous to discredit or demean their practice.
It's just not for me.
And I hope it's not offensive to say that I would find it even more difficult to bring myself to participate in UU 'worship?' (I don't know what to call it). I feel like it would be akin to attending a Stop Smoking support group when I don't smoke...I'd be asking, 'Why am I here?'
that I catch enough grief (speaking lightly) for refusing to attend church when I am around my family.
Jo Dirt
3,270 Posts
It just seems to me that it is a double standard for people to say they do not discriminate on the basis of "religion" nor do they endorse any one particular religion (the employee handbook clearly states this), yet they church people to death at this nursing home and it is shoved at everyone (employee and patient) like it or not. People who don't understand how small communities work just don't get how it could be perceived as "important" what you believe. I heard one church member spit the word "atheist" out (referring to this old ex-navy patient who told her he was not interested in her preaching) as though it was a filthy, evil word. He's an atheist...
And in this small community YOUR business is EVERYONE's business, it isn't a matter of believing yourself to be "important" to them.
And it isn't a simple matter of "go find another place to work."
I would love to act out the George Carlin skit for them (check it out on youtube, "people are diseased", I think is what you type in) but I'd be sealing my fate, I think.
When they said a prayer at the last inservice I looked around the room to see if there were any dissenters. I saw one guy looking around. We made eye contact and kind of raised our eyebrows at one another. Maybe I'm not the only one.