So I thought that my workplace was fairly immune to this kind of behavior. There's a wide variety of religions and cultures in our staff and in our patients. I had just started feeling comfortable with my coworkers.
Yesterday my coworker tried converting me to Christianity while on lunch break. It was completely unexpected and horribly awkward, all mixed in with terribly insulting. She started innocently enough by asking me what religion I was. From there it went into why I'm not Christian, why don't I believe in Satan, how the Bible is real, how Jesus will save non believers only if they ask. Then she asked me to promise her that I'd re-read the Bible and ask her about any parts I don't understand.
I'm angry. Embarrassed. I don't want to "rock the boat" at my unit. She's been there longer than I have. At the same time, I'm worried she's doing the same to other employees or even patients.
I'm just curious - what would you do if you were in my situation? I'm still trying to weigh my options before I act.
Where are you getting the reference to Nazi Germany? I'm confused. Many of the Nazi's were Christian and their behaviour was pure lunacy, but that isn't what this discussion is even about.
And it is preaching, when someone continues to discuss their agenda, despite the other party saying "no thank you."
Funny how non believers seem to all have this view of "preaching." The poster did not mention anything about preaching and running on. She simply said that she was asked if she was religious and that a few things were said. Because hatred of Christians is being pushed so hard in our society, people are ready to go berserk in a heartbeat.
NO. You need to be stopped right now. "Things" weren't said. She called my Gods whispers of her Satan. She asked if I was prepared for the possibility of Hell. These are very insulting. This isn't me going berserk. I didn't stand up and start yelling at her. I didn't storm into my manager's office demanding she be fired. If you read beyond your own presumptious zealotry you'd see that I was almost embarassed for her and myself and wasn't sure how to extract myself from the situation without making a huge scene.
How would you like it if I said your God was a figment of your overactive imagination? It would upset and hurt you, right? Well, I would never say that, but now maybe you understand just how you going about attempting to convert people is hateful, hurtful, and completely uncalled for.
You are not witnessing effectively for Jesus. Your holier than thou attitude, combined with your warped sense of victimhood, makes Christianity distasteful for many. I really hope you stop, and let people be in peace. Tis better to witness through your actions than your words.
EphesiansEphesians 2:8-9 "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."
How is the Christian to know that you don't want to be saved?
Because I didn't go up to him and say "tell me all about Jesus. I want to be saved." Most of us are not concerned about our eternal salvation on a day to day basis. I'm more worried about going grocery shopping, putting gas in my car and, lately, digging out of the 8 feet of snow we've had in the past few weeks. That and if we don't believe in heaven or life after death, there is no salvation to be concerned with.
She means the best, but it is inappropriate. I think it warrants a one time "I'm not comfortable talking about this". After that you'd follow up with your direct manager.
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
Totally agree that Christians have just as much right to lobby for their goals as anyone else..... But, when those goals violate the constitutional rights of others, the Supreme Court has a clear duty to make sure those goals are not realized. A good example would be mandated prayer in public schools. Or banning public recognition of same-sex marriages. Your religious convictions do not override another individual's rights.
I have a terrible problem in that I can only "like" this post once. I'd like it a whole lot more if I were allowed!
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
I am sure you have a coprate compliance hotline or somewhere to report this behavior it sounds like bullying
I was wondering how long it would be before the "b" word was brought into things.
No, it wasn't bullying. The OP's co-worker tried to invite her to participate in her church ONCE. The OP didn't even let her know the invitation was unwelcome. After the OP lets her know the invitation is unwelcome, if the behavior persists it's rude and boorish, but still not bullying.
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
Sounds like you're scared of what will happen when you die. Your coworker was trying to help you and didn't sound harassing or inappropriate to me whatsoever. If you can't handle some simple questions like those you were asked, I sure wouldn't want you to be my nurse if I had questions about my care. Jesus told His followers to share Him with others. We each can do that in our own ways, and she was trying her own method. I usually don't use her method, but I would like to hear her side of the story. As far as what you should do, probably you could start by thinking about her questions and examining the status of your soul in the light of God's teachings. You should be flattered that she loves you enough to throw out a lifeline. It is sad that you are fighting against imminent judgement with no hope in Christ to save you.
joanna73, BSN, RN
4,767 Posts
Where are you getting the reference to Nazi Germany? I'm confused. Many of the Nazi's were Christian and their behaviour was pure lunacy, but that isn't what this discussion is even about.
And it is preaching, when someone continues to discuss their agenda, despite the other party saying "no thank you."