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?
Well here is my opinion keep your religious views at home be a professional and get the job done. Work is a public setting people have there beliefs but that does not give you a right to enforce your beliefs at work. Stay neutral and respect each other this is the best policy.
That is an excelent way to work and I wholeheartedly agree.
However, I think what the OP is saying is that her co-workers, including the DON's are not doing this. Are you saying this is what she should tell her boss and coworkers?
I'm sorry, but since we are all bearing our souls here, so to speak, I think atheists are simply ignorant--willfully ignorant, but so long as they do the job, their ignorance is of no consequence.
And thank you for validating the OP's point and my point.
Specializes in Flight Nurse, Pedi CICU, IR, Adult CTICU.
Overall an interesting thread, and it reinforces my belief that some people have trouble identifying themselves as anything but a victim...of something, anything, whatever they can find to use as a way to identify themselves as a victim.
What I am still trying to figure out is why a self-described atheist has a reference to God in their signature...:icon_roll
BTW, I've met some concientious atheists...or at least people who identify as atheists, but are maybe would be more accurately defined as agnostic.
That said, it seems like the Catholics, Baptists, 7th Day Adventists, Presbyterians, Mormons, Jews, Lutherans, and all manner of other religious types seem to be the ones really making a difference in the delivery of charity and healthcare.
Never saw a hospital run by an atheist organization, and I can't remember ever running across an atheist charity.
Not that I care one way or another; I'm about as interested in organized religion as I am in wearing boxers made out of razor blades.
I'm sorry, but since we are all bearing our souls here, so to speak, I think atheists are simply ignorant--willfully ignorant, but so long as they do the job, their ignorance is of no consequence.
I will say this, however, if they were correct, nursing would go from the greatest possible profession to the most horrible profession. Nursing would become wrong.
The TOS don't allow the self-promotion of blogs, I reported it to the mods and I removed it from my quote above. I can understand that God is an undeniable fact to you and it's inconceivable that someone would think otherwise. That I get. But are you also an American? What I don't get is that you honestly think she should be fired for being an athesist is she "comes out"? Unbelievable.
What is a "non-believer" anyway? Maybe a Christian can explain this descriptor. It always feels vaguely pejorative. But maybe I am misinterpreting. OP, I would urge caution in coming out as an atheist. I have "come out" as a Buddhist in a forum where I had the option to leave and let me tell you, with SOME of these folks there is no reason, no logic and no respect for the divergent beliefs of others. For them, there is "only one way". They can make your work situation very uncomfortable and can be highly adept at doing so in an under-the-radar kind of way. My point is, if you have to stay in that job and want to be relatively happy, it just might be a mistake to let your beliefs be known. It should not be that way, but in my experience, a vocal, extremist majority that truly believes there is only one "right path" can make things very uncomfortable for the minority non-Christian folks.
Specializes in Flight Nurse, Pedi CICU, IR, Adult CTICU.
Well here is my opinion keep your religious views at home be a professional and get the job done. Work is a public setting people have there beliefs but that does not give you a right to enforce your beliefs at work. Stay neutral and respect each other this is the best policy.
I didn't see that it was about 'enforcing' their beliefs, but just living them and sharing them.
I have no problem with that.
And work isn't always or necessarily a 'public' setting.
I don't subscribe to any religion, but it makes me happy when I see the more 'spiritual' people at work using their faith to encourage and support each other...especially when it is people of somewhat divergent faiths.
Overall an interesting thread, and it reinforces my belief that some people have trouble identifying themselves as anything but a victim...of something, anything, whatever they can find to use as a way to identify themselves as a victim.
What I am still trying to figure out is why a self-described atheist has a reference to God in their signature...:icon_roll
If you want to ask a question then ask it. Don't hide behind vague insults. This thread is doing great without out the 2 or three people that have tried to make it otherwise...
Do a forum search. I'm NOT a self-described atheist. I've explained my beliefs already and your lack of knowing the hierarchies of atheism means you need to go back and study them a little.
Overall an interesting thread, and it reinforces my belief that some people have trouble identifying themselves as anything but a victim...of something, anything, whatever they can find to use as a way to identify themselves as a victim.
What I am still trying to figure out is why a self-described atheist has a reference to God in their signature...:icon_roll
BTW, I've met some concientious atheists...or at least people who identify as atheists, but are maybe would be more accurately defined as agnostic.
That said, it seems like the Catholics, Baptists, 7th Day Adventists, Presbyterians, Mormons, Jews, Lutherans, and all manner of other religious types seem to be the ones really making a difference in the delivery of charity and healthcare.
Never saw a hospital run by an atheist organization, and I can't remember ever running across an atheist charity.
Not that I care one way or another; I'm about as interested in organized religion as I am in wearing boxers made out of razor blades.
There are plenty of hospitals that are non-religiouis affliated, such as the not-for-profit that I work for. But granted, it's not identified as an "athesist" hospital. You are correct that many fine Christian religions deliver healthcare in the USA.
Not sure how your post helps the OP at all, but we seemed to have digressed on this topic anyway. (Which poster is an athesist with a God reference. I'm curious. :))
My message is in general response to all issues that arise with religion in the workplace. I have had it out with many co- workers on religion its like beating a dead horse . In my opinion just don't go there, respect people and how they conduct there lives at home. I don't know why people think its ok to go up to someone and ask if they believe in this " so and so " religion.
Not sure how your post helps the OP at all, but we seemed to have digressed on this topic anyway. (Which poster is an athesist with a God reference. I'm curious. :))
Veiled attack on me Tweety. Check my sig.
BTW - How long is that going to be allowed to continue?
BTW - How long is that going to be allowed to continue?
Thanks.
Probably can't last too long because some of us have made it personal, rather than trying to help the OP and discuss ideas and the topic. Personal attacks should be reported using the report function so the mods can decide.
Tweety, BSN, RN
36,298 Posts
That is an excelent way to work and I wholeheartedly agree.
However, I think what the OP is saying is that her co-workers, including the DON's are not doing this. Are you saying this is what she should tell her boss and coworkers?