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?

[LaneyB]

First let me say I'm sorry you feel uncomfortable at work. I'm sure if your co-workers do find out they won't try to preach to you or try to convert you. Many of you may agree or disagree with what I'm about to write ( which is why after I write this I won't read the post again):

If you don't know about GOD it would be very wise to get to know him. He is the most caring, intelligent, all knowing, loving, marvelous, awesome, man I could ever know ! He is coming back someday to rapture us up to heaven, however non-believers will not make it into the kingdom of heaven. Its either heaven or hell. The most nicest, sweetest, caring, smartest people in the universe will not make it to heaven unless they believe and serve God. So how do you come to God and start a relationship ? Its easy.

1) Repent of your sins ( he will forgive you for anything you've done)

2) Accept God and Jesus as your Lord and saviour

3) Follow his commandments ( They are in the bible)

I can go on and on, so if anyone have any other questions for me please send me a message. As I won't be reading anymore responses from this posts.

Thank you everyone and God loves you !

Happy easter.

OP - this right here is exactly why I would keep my beliefs to myself. They will try to convert you, exactly as she tries to in this post.

[LaneyB]

i didn't sense anything "hostile" about her environment.

When you are the one in the minority it feels different.

[leslie :-D]

i didn't sense anything "hostile" about her environment.

When you are the one in the minority it feels different.

but no one knows about her atheism.

and the op didn't describe anything as hostile...

leslie

[Atheos]

i didn't sense anything "hostile" about her environment.

leslie

Ah but you aren't atheist. When a large group of Christians find out you are Atheist there are always some who get pushy and/or hostile. Sometimes it's one and sometimes it 20. It always happens.

Otherwise the OP wouldn't even worry about letting others there know her status.

[Atheos]

but no one knows about her atheism.

and the op didn't describe anything as hostile...

leslie

Imagine it a different way leslie.

Everyone goes to work covered up. They are friendly to you but hey, they also think you are white under the mask... BUT you are purple.

Would you feel comfortable or safe taking off the mask? That is the definition of hostile work environment...

Feel free to use any metaphor... The OP is having to maintain a mask out of justified fear. Hostile work environment...

[Coffee Nurse, BSN, RN]

Imagine it a different way leslie.

Everyone goes to work covered up. They are friendly to you but hey, they also think you are white under the mask... BUT you are purple.

Would you feel comfortable or safe taking off the mask? That is the definition of hostile work environment...

Feel free to use any metaphor... The OP is having to maintain a mask out of justified fear. Hostile work environment...

This "metaphor" is pointless. If you'd made it white v. black, you'd be closer to the issue (although you'd be simultaneously invoking the issue of racism, which would only complicate this already complicated thread), but purple is not a natural human skin color. Of course you'd get weird reactions.

[Atheos]

This "metaphor" is pointless. If you'd made it white v. black, you'd be closer to the issue (although you'd be simultaneously invoking the issue of racism, which would only complicate this already complicated thread), but purple is not a natural human skin color. Of course you'd get weird reactions.

I picked purple to avoid anyone trying to say I was making it a race issue. Hence PURPLE.

The metaphor itself is correct though.

Many of us HAVE to wear a mask.

Were you aware that atheists are considered the country's least trusted people by religious people? There is an official poll around here somewhere. Official as in like Gallup polls.

[leslie :-D]

This "metaphor" is pointless. If you'd made it white v. black, you'd be closer to the issue (although you'd be simultaneously invoking the issue of racism, which would only complicate this already complicated thread), but purple is not a natural human skin color. Of course you'd get weird reactions.

i understood his point just fine.

that having to hide your real self in order to survive, connotes a hostile working environment.

nothing pointless about it.

leslie

[markuskristian]

Religion in the South certainly comes off different than much of the US. I even have been patronized and preached to, even though I'm a Christian, however I'm Catholic, not Baptist like most of the South.

OP, I know where you're coming from. I can't say it would go well. The elderly patients will most likely try to talk to you about God quite a bit, and when you begin to tune it out, they will most likely get irritated. As for coworkers.. it probably would not be bad at all. You might have a couple of the hypocritical "super-Christian" types that would suddenly not like you and patronize you.. but majority would respect your decision even though they COMPLETELY disagree with it.

[Coffee Nurse, BSN, RN]

I picked purple to avoid anyone trying to say I was making it a race issue. Hence PURPLE.

The metaphor itself is correct though.

My point was that if I saw someone with a purple face, I must admit that my first reaction would be along the lines of, "My God, what is that?" Because purple is not a normal human skin color. On the other hand, I doubt any Christian would have quite the same reaction to an atheist; I'm pretty sure most of them are aware that atheists do exist.

Many of us HAVE to wear a mask.

Were you aware that atheists are considered the country's least trusted people by religious people? There is an official poll around here somewhere. Official as in like Gallup polls.

"By religious people"? Do you mean religious like me, or religious like the previous posters who jumped on board to try to convert the OP without even addressing (and, indeed, helping to fuel) her concerns about her workplace?

That said, yes, I have heard of such a poll. I'd be interested to see the results of a similar poll about Christians based on a sample composed of atheists. However, I understand that atheism is a minority -- it was rather ingenuous (or maybe disingenuous) of Pres. Obama to claim that this is not a Christian nation. BUT -- I've been reworking this sentence for about ten minutes now, and I think this is where my mind was trying to go -- how much of that distrust is based on beliefs/nonbeliefs, and how much of it is promoted by the thought that atheists are everywhere but hiding their true selves?

(For the record, I'm still not happy with how that last part came out. Hopefully you get my point.)

[David13, MSN, RN]

I honestly don't believe that you should be concerned with what others would think of your religious beliefs or lack thereof. What bothers me is that your coworkers seem to assume that just because this happens to be a small, religious Southern community that everyone who lives and works there believes in exactly the same things. America is a nation founded on religious freedom, and we shouldn't feel that we have to behave in a certain way in order to be accepted, particularly in the workplace.

The realities of life are often much different than the ideal situation, however, and my sympathies are with you. Personally, and of course depending on other circumstances in my life at the time in question, I would probably move on to a workplace with a more tolerant culture as soon as an opportunity arose to do so.

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

I also believe that the OP may expect a hostile environment. It is not new and it does happen often when there is a person who believes differently than the masses. The same as if a person came out and said they were gay, pagan, agnostic or part of a cult to a group of fundamental Christians...suddenly, you get the well wishers that want to ensure that you don't go to hell, so they talk you into saying that the Devil made you do it. The patients may try and convert 'that nice, confused nurse' and if you wince, then, they may take it personal, decide to report it to someone and there you have it...

We throw small hints like throwing bait into the water to see how the fish bite, and sometimes, one can tell what the response would be, so, that can illicit fear within the inner self. Most of us want acceptance, even if it is superficial acceptance, just to make it through the day at the workplace, interact at the supermarket or while sitting together in public places.