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'm not planning on "torpedoing" anyone's career, "whining" to HR, or "making a scene". I already had a rough idea of how I wanted to handle my situation, I was more curious about how others would handle it if it happened to them. Bonus was that I learned a few polite ways of saying MYODB that will make me less of the bad guy in this situation, no matter how unfair it would be that I'd ever be one to begin with.
I get the idea that a few people on this thread seem to think that because my coworker meant well (I guess) that it excuses her bad behavior. NO. The road to hell is well paved with good intentions, I am told. Trying to convert someone who has already stated they are more than happy with their religion of choice is rude and insulting. Rude because you are questioning their ability to know and recognize what is best for them. Insulting because you have already determined they are in need of saving and just too dumb to know it.
I don't want this thread to be a religion bashing thread by any means, but I am good and tired of Christians trying to excuse their social faux pas behind the guise of "I just want the best for you". Stop. No proselytizing.
At my work, I was able to have a wonderful, fascinating discussion between an American Muslim, a Mormon, and myself, a Druid. It truly was enlightening for all of us. The Mormon guy and I still have random discussions about the comps and cons of our religions. Neither of us try to convert the other, neither of us try to one up each other. Why can't evangelicals do this?
And to the poster who said I should be grateful my coworker's trying to save me from a fiery doom, I suggest you put that gleeful zealotry back in your pocket. You aren't supposed to relish the thought of non-believers dying in Hell. Ish.
Why does everything have to boil down into why Christians are and us other faiths/non-believers are all just ignorant meanies?!
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.
Perfect example of why some people find Christians and Christianity so tiresome.
Just be polite and say that you are not a believer. This is a nursing forum about nursing, not a place to rant about how you can't stomach Christians. Honestly, I am sure that she did not mean to insult you and was just trying to bring something pleasant into your life. For some reason people are very offended by Christianity these days. I think that due to all the far- out depictions in movies, people see it as someone trying to do something to them, when in reality Christians are positive people who try to help others. I used to be very closed minded about them due to the way I was raised also, until I decided to shake all the junk out of my head and see for myself. I am still not a believer but I am well studied on Christians because I became educated with facts and experience instead of false news and hate movies.
I went to North County Baptist Church and discovered that the nonsense in movies like "Carrie" is absolutely false. And the idea of Christians thinking that they are superior is 100% baloney. What I saw was several people volunteering their time three times per week to take care of children who's parents can't afford a sitter, another group of people were pooling their money every Tuesday to pass out food to the homeless. These people volunteer their time and money up to about 16 hours per week, every week. After attending the church for over one month my heart melted, and I no longer feel sick when I hear Christians talking about God. I actually am ashamed that I once made fun of these people because as nice as I can be I simply don't have it in me to drive a bus of kids around three times per week, adding up to over more than 10 hours. And as generous as I can be, I don't save a percentage of my income to try and help the less fortunate as these people are doing on a regular basis. When they talk about God they are trying to bring some light into your life and I would be willing to bet that this lady, seeing that you are a nurse, thinks that you are caring and could possibly help someone, or that perhaps you could use some emotional support. Try seeing it for what it probably is and it wont upset you.
Well, what is such a major inconvenience about simply stating, "I don't want to be saved." ?
Is that so much work? How is the Christian to know that you don't want to be saved? They may think that you simply don't know how to approach a relationship with God. Believe me, I have seen many Christians approach people who are down and out with a talk about God that turns out to be the best thing that ever happened to that person.
I say that if just one person is saved from suicide or a life of misery because a Christian was thoughtful enough to open up to a stranger about his salvation, then it is well worth annoying the other people who were bothered and felt upset by the simple question.
BTW- It is so sad and so narrow minded that you call someone a "nutter" because they happen to think differently than you do. We are supposed to be nurses/ advocates, (we were taught in school) and you obviously have a prejudice about Christians. I sure would not like any of my Christian friends who end up with a nurse like you taking care of them.
Just be polite and say that you are not a believer. This is a nursing forum about nursing, not a place to rant about how you can't stomach Christians. Honestly, I am sure that she did not mean to insult you and was just trying to bring something pleasant into your life. For some reason people are very offended by Christianity these days. I think that due to all the far- out depictions in movies, people see it as someone trying to do something to them, when in reality Christians are positive people who try to help others. I used to be very closed minded about them due to the way I was raised also, until I decided to shake all the junk out of my head and see for myself. I am still not a believer but I am well studied on Christians because I became educated with facts and experience instead of false news and hate movies.
I went to North County Baptist Church and discovered that the nonsense in movies like "Carrie" is absolutely false. And the idea of Christians thinking that they are superior is 100% baloney. What I saw was several people volunteering their time three times per week to take care of children who's parents can't afford a sitter, another group of people were pooling their money every Tuesday to pass out food to the homeless. These people volunteer their time and money up to about 16 hours per week, every week. After attending the church for over one month my heart melted, and I no longer feel sick when I hear Christians talking about God. I actually am ashamed that I once made fun of these people because as nice as I can be I simply don't have it in me to drive a bus of kids around three times per week, adding up to over more than 10 hours. And as generous as I can be, I don't save a percentage of my income to try and help the less fortunate as these people are doing on a regular basis. When they talk about God they are trying to bring some light into your life and I would be willing to bet that this lady, seeing that you are a nurse, thinks that you are caring and could possibly help someone, or that perhaps you could use some emotional support. Try seeing it for what it probably is and it wont upset you.
***. I'm supposed to be polite and listen to her explain how my Gods are really just Satan whispering in my ear, and you accuse me of being rude, close minded, and I'm ranting about how I can't stomach Christians?!
See, can't swing a dead cat without having someone tell me that me wanting to be left alone = hating Christians. I don't get it AT ALL. How does me wanting to stay druid mean I hate them? I just want to be left alone during my break, not I want them wiped off the face of the Earth. I'd miss so many of my friends and family.
Really? I see this thread as a great excuse for haters to spread their hate.. This is the foundation of Nazi Germany and its feelings towards Jews.
Exactly. Seriously! My neighbor is an elderly Jewish woman who is outraged by lines like this. She stated that the attack on Christians today is no different than the German attack on Jews in the 1930s. Look at this! People saying things like this is no different than 150 years ago, saying that black people are "all" a particular way, and this anti Christian behavior is applauded. Scary times.....
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.
Very interesting that some of the evangelists seem to think that it's perfectly acceptable to start preaching their beliefs to others.
To each his own.....however, if wasn't asking, I don't need to know. Period.
I think this is key. I made it clear I was perfectly happy with my druidness and was not interested in becoming Christian. She kept going despite that. Rude and insulting. Evangelicals do not know better than I what religion I should belong to. Presumptive. Oy.
CountryMomma, ASN, RN
589 Posts
Okay now I think this is getting ridiculous.
I'm not planning on "torpedoing" anyone's career, "whining" to HR, or "making a scene". I already had a rough idea of how I wanted to handle my situation, I was more curious about how others would handle it if it happened to them. Bonus was that I learned a few polite ways of saying MYODB that will make me less of the bad guy in this situation, no matter how unfair it would be that I'd ever be one to begin with.
I get the idea that a few people on this thread seem to think that because my coworker meant well (I guess) that it excuses her bad behavior. NO. The road to hell is well paved with good intentions, I am told. Trying to convert someone who has already stated they are more than happy with their religion of choice is rude and insulting. Rude because you are questioning their ability to know and recognize what is best for them. Insulting because you have already determined they are in need of saving and just too dumb to know it.
I don't want this thread to be a religion bashing thread by any means, but I am good and tired of Christians trying to excuse their social faux pas behind the guise of "I just want the best for you". Stop. No proselytizing.
At my work, I was able to have a wonderful, fascinating discussion between an American Muslim, a Mormon, and myself, a Druid. It truly was enlightening for all of us. The Mormon guy and I still have random discussions about the comps and cons of our religions. Neither of us try to convert the other, neither of us try to one up each other. Why can't evangelicals do this?
And to the poster who said I should be grateful my coworker's trying to save me from a fiery doom, I suggest you put that gleeful zealotry back in your pocket. You aren't supposed to relish the thought of non-believers dying in Hell. Ish.
Why does everything have to boil down into why Christians are and us other faiths/non-believers are all just ignorant meanies?!