Ever work with people who talk about church all the time?

Published

Does it get on your nerves? If so, how do you deal with it?? I'm no devil worshipper, and I see my self as being pretty tolerant of others, but I work with some people who seem kind of smug about their church attendance and often find a way to work that into many a conversation. Completely unrelated conversations.

Specializes in Med-Surg.
When patients start saying thank you Jesus, I usually just say " or the antibiotics"

I would be careful about this. While I am not religious, I think this response could come off very offensive to a patient.

A better response would be, "I am so glad that you feel better" and leave it at that.

If a patient is religious then as their nurse you should be very respectful of their beliefs. In my opinion/practice that includes not being dismissive (your response came off as dismissive to me). Our emotions and beliefs influence our healing tremendously. I I are for my patients physically but that also includes their emotional well being. If religion is important to them then as their nurse I try to facilitate that for their emotional and psychological well being.

You don't have to sing praises of Jesus with them, but I don't think you should be dismissive either.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Had a nurse say that and i responded: "Thank you for your help in my health treatments, but neither you NOR the doctor healed me, God did. " You don't have to be rude like that. You're not God and therefore it's offensive to take credit when it wasn't meant for you.

Isn't pretty rude of you to imply that your nurses and doctors who spent so much time and energy treating you had nothing to do with your healing?

I'm always annoyed by people who suffer terrible accidents, but are pulled through by paramedics and nurses and doctors, and then spend the rest of their lives telling anyone who'll listen how "God" saved them. As if the skilled healthcare workers who actually saved their lives are just footnotes....

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
I am so sorry that your coworker has annoyed you. As a Christian, I have even been annoyed by other Christians. Please see below as I try and explain the motivation of the typical Christian.

2 Timothy 1:9 NIV

"He has saved us and called us to a holy life--not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time,"

So I am sure to get flamed for quoting scripture but please be kind. Maybe your co-worker is just happy and loves her church. I love my church too. Doesn't sound like she is trying to push Christ on you. I quoted the above scripture for understanding. I am not preaching to you. Please understand that as a Christian I am a sinner that is forgiven only by the penalty that Christ paid on the Cross. Although I strive to live like Him I will fail. Unbelievers will see me fail and think what a hypocrite at times. That causes me great pain. I want you to have the relationship that I have because it has changed my life, not because I am pushy.

How about instead or having someone else want the relationship YOU have, your focus can be on that relationship and not make the judgement that other people don't have their own relationship?

Not everybody worships the way you do or at all; in a professional workplace, all belief systems have to be respected, even if you want someone to have the "relationship" that you have.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
Isn't pretty rude of you to imply that your nurses and doctors who spent so much time and energy treating you had nothing to do with your healing?

I'm always annoyed by people who suffer terrible accidents, but are pulled through by paramedics and nurses and doctors, and then spend the rest of their lives telling anyone who'll listen how "God" saved them. As if the skilled healthcare workers who actually saved their lives are just footnotes....

Yeah, even if it was the cosmos that did it all, it could've went the other way...

Just FYI, I had a near death experience, and I'm really not trying to minimize how someone feels, just putting out there a different perspective.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in hospice.
If you are really a ____, you don't need to tell me because the virtues of your faith should show.

:yes:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
"Religion is like a member. It's fine to have one and it's fine to be proud of it, but please don't whip it out in public and start waving it around"

And don't shove it down my throat and keep it away from my kids!

Had a pastor moonlighting as overnight at my group home that needed a talking to more than once since he apparently didn't think that avoiding topics of personal beliefs applied to him. He was telling clients which of their actions would send them to hell, just not appropriate at all.

Also had another idiot somehow work "marriage is between a man and woman" into a random conversation, assuming that I and another coworker agreed with her. I just glowered at her.

Like others said, if church is your thing I don't really care if you talk about it. Just don't assume I'm interested or that I think the same way. I probably talk pretty incessantly about my pets, but have the sense to stop if people's eyes start to glaze over.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.
Quit eating lunch with them.

Easier said than done. We all work in the same office suite and the lunch room is part of that geographic space. It is expected that I be part of the group. To not eat with the group would result in being viewed unkindly and I would be accused of thinking I was better than they are, etc. Also, I work in an environment with VERY few alternative lunch spots. In short, not eating with them (including my boss, mind you) would be considered a snub and be politically suicidal.

What gets to me most is when they start being totally unscientific about things -- talking about ghosts, spirits, having dead people visit them, etc. and it spills over into discussions of patient interactions and care. Sometimes I can't believe they are successful professionals with graduate degrees!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I do not believe the workplace is an appropriate venue to shove religion down another persons' throat, but I do believe it is up to the believer if they choose to share stories with their co-workers about their faith in their own life (provided it does not cross the line into harassment, forced prayer, etc.).

Most people I have worked with in nursing have been rather restrained when discussing their personal religion. I think I get more annoyed when they go on incessantly about their first grandchild eating pudding for the first time, or gossip about their co-workers and other staff, or quote/believe completely ridiculous news and stories about politics that are riddled with falsehoods (I blame you, Rush Limbaugh!).

I also get a brain irritation when I read about patients thanking God, but excluding everyone in the medical profession for their contribution. I don't care that they thank God if that is what they believe, but when they neglect the actual science behind their 'miracle', and the people who provide and base care on science, it is somewhat annoying. Nonetheless, faith can be a form of healing therapy for some psycho-social needs, so it is useful for the believers.

I was raised Jewish, and I do often take off Jewish holidays and work Christian holidays because these holidays are what most of my family celebrates. However, I am a devout Atheist. I am 'science' all the way. And it is science--and the people who provide care based on science--that saved my life. Science is my God.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in hospice.

God vs. Science is a false dichotomy. It's one in which many churches/faith traditions indulge, unfortunately, but it's false.

Science is the quest for truth. Truth cannot contradict its author.

We can and do use science in ways that violate the moral law, but that's true of everything.

Not proselytizing. Just offering a different view.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
I think this discussion has helped me see that people who use religion as an excuse to behave in a haughty, rude way really irritate me. Also, those who say things like "I go to CHURCH" and think that reiterating that enough will distract me from the fact that they are lacking tolerance, compassion, and decency irritate me further. If you are really a ____, you don't need to tell me because the virtues of your faith should show. I wonder why it is so comforting for some to ignore the grace and loveliness that is right in front of them in favor of some distant being. Why can't these people have love for their fellow beings rather than imply they are out of this world because they attend a meeting every month and act like a jerk the rest of the week? Sincerely wondering...
I think that people are like this even without religion that makes THEM shallow and intolerant not the religion itself.
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psych, Corrections, Med-Surg, Ambulatory.
Those competing are silly, because according to them, He doesn't exist. Then why compete with a non existant being? I've had run ins with these people before. Meh.
I have always believed that the physical help we get on this earth are manifestations of God, Universe, however you conceptualize the higher power. When someone says, "You didn't heal me; God did" I think they are somewhat missing the boat. I wouldn't really say "You're welcome" because flippancy doesn't always come off well (hence your piqued reaction). But it is a bit of a slap in the face to have one's hard work so neatly negated.

I think militant atheism is no different from militant anything else. It's just an intolerance for the beliefs of others.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

There are so many good side debates happening or begging to happen in this thread, but I'll try to stick to the OP.

I am a believer in Christ but not a weekly churchgoer. I can understand the OP's point of view and I also find it annoying when people talk about church as if it is either an elite social club or a ticket to heaven. I've experienced judgment from other churchgoers that I must be having personal problems if I choose not to attend every Sunday or participate in every pot-luck or ladies night.

My reasons for attending or not attending church are my own, and my faith is a personal thing that I strive to honor through my actions, not by racking up church attendance points or telling everyone how involved I am in the "social scene" that church has become for many.

I don't have an issue with people talking about church or things that happened there as a topic of conversation; I've done it myself. It's when it turns into who can brag more about how involved they are while knocking those who aren't in the "club" that bothers me. However, talk about whatever you like. As with anything else, if I don't like the direction the conversation is going, I'll either change the subject or remember something important I need to attend to.

..

I also do have to note that I agree with duskyjewel that God and science are not mutually exclusive. I believe that He has enabled much of the scientific growth humanity has experienced and often works through science and medicine to achieve modern-day miracles.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion