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.
Sorry, Cheezwizz90, Just because I may not be interested in her religion, does NOT make me "scared of what will happen when (I) die!" NONE OF HER BUSINESS! It was, I feel, most harassing and definitely inappropriate! And if I were a patient, and was approached by a "Bible-banger," I would report her to the head nurse and ask that she be relieved of the responsibility of caring for me. I believe that to be the function of a chaplain, or my own minister, priest, rabbi, whatever - not a caretaker! And as a co-worker, ABSOLUTELY not her business!
I think it's a mistake to get all hot and bothered at being approached by an evangelical christian. It is a central expression of their faith to spread the good news and, as far as I can see, is a requirement if one is to live a christian life. It's gonna happen, and sometimes it happens to me. Like getting rained on or missing the bus.
As other posters have recommended, I find a way to say thanks, but no thanks. It generally helps to avoid editorial comments on the logic or reality of religion. Time enough to get adversarial if my boundary is not respected. I try to exercise the same level of tolerance I demand from others.
I agree.
Snailszy . . that's a terrible story. There's an example of when you go to HR and make a complaint.
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'm sorry, what? Who asked for "help"? I don't know why it's so hard for believers to understand that us non-believers are just fine with our non-belief. I am NOT scared of what will happen when I die because when I die, my life will end and I will be no more. That's it. I can't be afraid of "what will happen to me after I die" since there won't be any me for anything to happen to. I don't believe in life after death or souls.
And IF there is such a thing as Heaven and it's full of people like Fred Phelps, Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell, I'll take a one way ticket to hell. It's where all my friends will be anyway.
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.
It is sad Brandon, however, not MY choice....but the one who rejected Christ and those who tried to share Him. I mean..since we can't bring it up in 'polite society', what can we Christians do but to step aside and let you make your own decision?
You must love ISIS. Look at all the filthy Christians they've exterminated!
Pardon me but what the heck does not wanting to badgered at work by proselytizing Christians equate with wanting them all dead by ISIS.
Martyr complex much?
Hyperbolic statements like that are what make me more positive that I want little to do with Christianity. Someone says, Happy Holidays! and they have a conniption melt down over a "war on Christmas". One declines to accept someone proselytizing to them, and that equals wanting them murdered by ISIS?
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.
It is sad Brandon, however, not MY choice....but the one who rejected Christ and those who tried to share Him. I mean..since we can't bring it up in 'polite society', what can we Christians do but to step aside and let you make your own decision?
Isn't that what you non-believers want?
What gets me about the nutters as I call them is they think that everyone needs to be "saved". MYOB and worry about your OWN salvation before intruding into my life.
Well two cars cannot occupy the same space at a given time; well religion neither, STAY IN YOUR LANE!!!! If they did not ask what your faith was about then do not assume everyone shares the same belief system. That irks me to no end!!!!! I can agree to disagree respectfully but when the ethnocentricity becomes apparent by all means SHUT IT DOOOOOOOOWWWWWNNN!!!!
Sorry, Y'all. Some of my fellow Christians are judgey judgers. Maybe someday they'll learn that the ONLY thing they accomplish by telling people they're going to Hell and finding ways to throw things into conversations they don't approve of is pushing people further away.
Jesus was about LOVE and ACCEPTANCE, some of my fellow brethren (always wanted to say that....hehe) have clearly forgotten that.
Helicat
9 Posts
Sorry, Cheezwizz90, Just because I may not be interested in her religion, does NOT make me "scared of what will happen when (I) die!" NONE OF HER BUSINESS! It was, I feel, most harassing and definitely inappropriate! And if I were a patient, and was approached by a "Bible-banger," I would report her to the head nurse and ask that she be relieved of the responsibility of caring for me. I believe that to be the function of a chaplain, or my own minister, priest, rabbi, whatever - not a caretaker! And as a co-worker, ABSOLUTELY not her business!