An Atheist Outnumbered by Christians at Work (an ethical dilemma)

[Jo Dirt]

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?

[hypocaffeinemia, BSN, RN]

That actually makes sense to me...of course...not, I'm not going to say it.

Wait, yes I am...!

An agnostic who is atheistic toward any known supernatural constructs, and skeptical of any unknown or YTB introduced constructs is really just an agnostic because the gods as people currently claim to know them actually haven't let themselves be definitively known materially, BUT therefore could one day be actually introduced empirically...!

*going to get a tylenol*

You're confusing gnosticism (knowledge) with theism (belief) though!

I lack belief in any current gods proposed (atheism), due to my lack of knowledge (agnosticism), [edit] or due to the logical and scientific inconsistency making up specific god claims (on a case-by-case scenario).

Or are you merely agnostic towards the invisible dragon in your garage? I'm a-dragonist until empiricism yields any knowledge either way! :)

[Atheos]

Can I say I do believe this is the first successful religion discussion on AllNurses.

Of course there were some bumps but as far as they seem to go here I am actually surprised.

We HAVE strayed WAY off topic though. :sofahider

ETA:

Hypo, you are pretty much saying what I have been trying to say. I try to avoid religious beliefs but if I get down to it and have to give an answer I would say I don't believe in any gods currently believed in by others.

But, the only reason I don't believe is because of the lack of evidence. If there was evidence I WOULD believe.

If that makes sense...

[hypocaffeinemia, BSN, RN]

Can I say I do believe this is the first successful religion discussion on AllNurses.

Of course there were some bumps but as far as they seem to go here I am actually surprised.

We HAVE strayed WAY off topic though. :sofahider

ETA:

Hypo, you are pretty much saying what I have been trying to say. I try to avoid religious beliefs but if I get down to it and have to give an answer I would say I don't believe in any gods currently believed in by others.

But, the only reason I don't believe is because of the lack of evidence. If there was evidence I WOULD believe.

If that makes sense...

It makes sense. I edited mine to add that on a case by case basis specific concepts can be refuted due to logical or scientific inconsistency.

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

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 didn't know that. But don't you think "reporting" me is kind of childish? How else am I supposed to let people know? I guess I could just say I have a blog, and then people will go to my info and find my link if they want to. If the Mods tell me to remove it, I will. Thanks for telling on me. Thanks for being the snitch that you are. Well, try to get your mind around it.

Sorry, I just can't wrap my mind around that in a country where freedom of religion is so fundamental that you could advocate firing someone for their personal beliefs. Can't do it, but I do allow you your right to your opinion.

As a former mod, I feel obligated to report TOS violations. I don't consider that childish snitching.

I tried to go to a UU church with a friend and I was just kind of weirded out.

They said they had atheists that went with them.

I just can't dig the whole church thing. I can't see it ending well. No one is THAT open minded.

I think UU is about as opened minded as one can get.

I attend a UU church and I truly feel it's where I belong. We do have the gamut of beliefs there including athesist. Many come for many reasons, but most of us are there for the liberal social activism. Our projects include homelessness, migrant worker rights and assistance, fair trade practices, gay and lesbian causes, environmental causes including cleanup projects in the community. We have recently had speakers on what it's like to be a Muslim in the USA, Native American spirituality and why it's important to have a Black History Month. Sometimes it really doesn't feel like a church. Anyway, that's my plug for my demonination. I'll get off my soapbox now. LOL

[YOUTUBE]

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[Flightline, BSN, RN]

Faux Pas

Though I would say that the faux pas wasn't posting the blog link. Rather, it was telling a whole bunch of us that you see us as willfully ignorant.

That would fit the definition of faux pas.

But that's what atheism is: it's willfull ignorance. It has to be. Any armchair philospher will come to the conclusion that there is at least some kind of God of the universe. Then, anyone with a New Testament will come to the conclusion that what we call Jesus Christ must be the greatest possible revelation of God.

I realize that as an atheist you must constantly reassure yourself that you are right. That's because you are wrong. If you were right, you'd be comfortable in your philosophical skin, but as it is, you like to say you're an atheist, and then live like God is watching you all the time. I realize you all think you have this great moral code absent of any belief in God, but you don't. No moral code exists without authority. Basically, if there is no God, there is no good.

And I'll tell you this: nursing doesn't make any sense whatesoever if atheism is true. Nursing is by its very nature, anti-evolutionary (Well, in the spiritual sense it is the greates evolutionary dynamic in the universe, but that's another topic.).

Now, please, before I get banned from this forum for not being an atheist supporter, please give me a warning, dear moderators, and I'll shut up. Gladly.

[3boysmom3]

There are so many posts here I couldn't read them all, but I just wanted to say to the original poster, that you sound like you really do want your co-workers to know your position. If that's the case, then let it be known. The good news is, that truly Christian people will not treat you badly or consider you as less then themselves. True Christians realize that we are all human and fallible, and love their neighbor without strings attached. However, I'm sure you've heard, that the great commission for Christians is to go forth and make disciples of all nations. Really- we are "required" to try to let people know about Jesus and share Him with them. But, we are NOT supposed to push, nag, ostracize, or think that we are in any way superior to anyone. Real Christians are humble people. So... love ya, sista! (no strings attached!)

[hypocaffeinemia, BSN, RN]

But that's what atheism is: it's willfull ignorance. It has to be. Any armchair philospher will come to the conclusion that there is at least some kind of God of the universe.

Let's take this to the philosophy forum, shall we? I would love to debate this with you.

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

But that's what atheism is: it's willfull ignorance. It has to be. Any armchair philospher will come to the conclusion that there is at least some kind of God of the universe. Then, anyone with a New Testament will come to the conclusion that what we call Jesus Christ must be the greatest possible revelation of God.

I realize that as an atheist you must constantly reassure yourself that you are right. That's because you are wrong. If you were right, you'd be comfortable in your philosophical skin, but as it is, you like to say you're an atheist, and then live like God is watching you all the time. I realize you all think you have this great moral code absent of any belief in God, but you don't. No moral code exists without authority. Basically, if there is no God, there is no good.

And I'll tell you this: nursing doesn't make any sense whatesoever if atheism is true. Nursing is by its very nature, anti-evolutionary (Well, in the spiritual sense it is the greates evolutionary dynamic in the universe, but that's another topic.).

Now, please, before I get banned from this forum for not being an atheist supporter, please give me a warning, dear moderators, and I'll shut up. Gladly.

I can't speak for the mods, but as a former mod I can say there really isn't anything wrong with giving your opinion as long as you're not making it a personal attack, which you aren't. However, the owner doesn't like a lot of religious debate in the nursing forums.

I do hope people are respectful and don't attack you back, because there is much to argue with you about here. :)

[texastaz]

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?

I am sure coworkers have noticed your uniqueness-and with that have shown you respect by not digging into your private beliefs. Have you otherwise considered moving to a community where you would feel more comfortable living?

[Atheos]

Better not to even respond.

[hypocaffeinemia, BSN, RN]

And I'll tell you this: nursing doesn't make any sense whatesoever if atheism is true. Nursing is by its very nature, anti-evolutionary (Well, in the spiritual sense it is the greates evolutionary dynamic in the universe, but that's another topic.).

This statement demonstrates a fundamental misunderstanding of evolutionary biology and how it is applied to history.

[NotReady4PrimeTime, RN]

This thread has gone so far off the track here. The OP wanted advice on how to reconcile her beliefs with a small-town mentality that has opposite beliefs. Some posts have addressed her query but many have turned into semantic arguments that will never find common ground. Others have been veiled or not-so-veiled insults to other posters and that sort of behaviour is NOT appropriate in this venue. Knock it off! If anyone else wants to weigh in on Jo Dirt's dilemma, please do, but keep it on topic and keep it civil.

Jo, there are things that are nobody's business but yours and your religious beliefs are right up there at the top of the list. If you are unbearably uncomfortable with the religious air at your workplace perhaps you do indeed need to make a change. But if you can find a way to ignore that and just do your job as you have been all along, then maybe your problem will diminish in its ability to bother you. Once Easter is over, things will likely settle down some and you may find it tolerable after all.