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.
I am a volunteer at my hospital, and we are told to not start any drama - with debates being one of them.
During one of my shifts at the Nursery/ NICU, a nurse told me about how she found God. I'm a very tolerant being and since there wasn't much for me to do there anyways, I just listened and nodded. She didn't, in any way, try to convert me. She was just expressing how grateful she was to find a religion to guide her out of the life she was living.
However for another department, I worked one on one with a nurse in a small room in a clinical setting. She would also talk about her conversion to Christianity, and how God had helped her. I politely nodded. Every shift at this department, she always brought up God and the bible and how everyone should become Christian and that would stop all the madness in this world.
After a 2 months (I volunteered there 1x a week) of this happening, she caught on to how I wasn't vehemently nodding and preaching along with her. She asked if I was Christian, and I'm not someone to lie, so I said no, I am a Buddhist. She then went on saying that she learned in high school that the "Buddha god" starved his family and left them poor. And then she screamed "WHAT KIND OF GOD DOES THAT?!" I explained to her very politely that the first Buddha was actually a prince who left his family because they were too obsessed with material items. He got rid of his own material desires and focused on an ascetic life.
She then screamed at me "WELL I LEARNED IN HIGH SCHOOL." And then very frustratingly, she took her bible and started reading off scriptures to me. I felt like I was being exorcised!
The next day, I had to come in for a shift and during the down time, she kept reading the bible to me. She wouldn't talk to me about anything else, like how she would before she found out about my religion. Everytime we talked it would be either to attempt to convert me or telling me to do something for her. I didn't mind the latter!
I felt very threatened in the work place, especially since I couldn't do anything to defend the false assumptions of my religion, and that she was using religion to judge the type of person I am.
Nip it in the bud before it starts. Don't engage anyone who asks what religion you are. I would simply say "I don't believe in organized religion" and walk away. Or I'd tell her that I'm an atheist because of nursing and walk away. Notice both scenarios end with me walking away. Not interested in these conversations.
LOL...Sorry, but welcome to "my" world! I think it happens in every work place. I understand that part of Xtianity is "Spreading the Good Word." Personally, I find it insulting to have to endure this BS! I would try & mention it to the administrator, you "might" get a positive response. If not, tell her you are not interested, but if you change your mind, she will be the first one to know.... Be firm about it!!
Specializes in Critical/Acute Care, Burns, Wound Care.
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.
I agree - Nip it in the bud, immediately, but leave it at "Not interested," period, then walk away. If you tell some people you not believe in organized religion or that you are an atheist - whatever the reason, they may feel "duty bound," to harass you forever!! As in waving a red flag in front of a charging bull! LOL
Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.
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.
I tried responding to this three different ways. The best I can come up with is, "Sigh."
snailszy
162 Posts
I am a volunteer at my hospital, and we are told to not start any drama - with debates being one of them.
During one of my shifts at the Nursery/ NICU, a nurse told me about how she found God. I'm a very tolerant being and since there wasn't much for me to do there anyways, I just listened and nodded. She didn't, in any way, try to convert me. She was just expressing how grateful she was to find a religion to guide her out of the life she was living.
However for another department, I worked one on one with a nurse in a small room in a clinical setting. She would also talk about her conversion to Christianity, and how God had helped her. I politely nodded. Every shift at this department, she always brought up God and the bible and how everyone should become Christian and that would stop all the madness in this world.
After a 2 months (I volunteered there 1x a week) of this happening, she caught on to how I wasn't vehemently nodding and preaching along with her. She asked if I was Christian, and I'm not someone to lie, so I said no, I am a Buddhist. She then went on saying that she learned in high school that the "Buddha god" starved his family and left them poor. And then she screamed "WHAT KIND OF GOD DOES THAT?!" I explained to her very politely that the first Buddha was actually a prince who left his family because they were too obsessed with material items. He got rid of his own material desires and focused on an ascetic life.
She then screamed at me "WELL I LEARNED IN HIGH SCHOOL." And then very frustratingly, she took her bible and started reading off scriptures to me. I felt like I was being exorcised!
The next day, I had to come in for a shift and during the down time, she kept reading the bible to me. She wouldn't talk to me about anything else, like how she would before she found out about my religion. Everytime we talked it would be either to attempt to convert me or telling me to do something for her. I didn't mind the latter!
I felt very threatened in the work place, especially since I couldn't do anything to defend the false assumptions of my religion, and that she was using religion to judge the type of person I am.