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.

I think that people are like this even without religion that makes THEM shallow and intolerant not the religion itself.

Yes, I understand the difference and I agree with you. Bad or even just shallow people seem to use religion as a tool to manipulate and abuse. Not saying the religions themselves are terrible, but how many terrible people have ruined other's lives through the premise of religion. Why would someone diminish the efforts of people who have treated them...claiming it was all God, NOT you nurses, science, or the doctors. If God created all of these beings and concepts, why not recognize that 'God' is all around, not far off and not only to be reached by church attendees. Why not include? I'm not directing this toward you spece Esme, I'm just trying to find the words than describe what I mean exactly.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Forensic Psych.

I don't mind when people talk about church - usually it's because it's a HUGE part of their life and they don't even think twice about it. I think they also assume I love church just as much.

However, I'm a quiet agnostic, and that conversations are always impoverished and my mind is usually elsewhere, because I just cannot relate or agree to anything I don't agree with. Lots of "mhmm" and "oh that's cool" and "I can only imagine"s. And good lord I hate small talk.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
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.

I think you said what I was trying to! :yes:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
Yes, I understand the difference and I agree with you. Bad or even just shallow people seem to use religion as a tool to manipulate and abuse. Not saying the religions themselves are terrible, but how many terrible people have ruined other's lives through the premise of religion. Why would someone diminish the efforts of people who have treated them...claiming it was all God, NOT you nurses, science, or the doctors. If God created all of these beings and concepts, why not recognize that 'God' is all around, not far off and not only to be reached by church attendees. Why not include? I'm not directing this toward you spece Esme, I'm just trying to find the words than describe what I mean exactly.

I know I get what you are saying. The cause of most wars/conflicts....power, land, religion, intolerance, greed.

I don't get into religious talks. I have my beliefs and they are very personal.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Telemetry, IMCU.
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....

Doctors and nurses are humans. They don't heal. They help treat and comfort. It's funny how you could be offended if you were my nurse and I had said that, but as a Christian nurse I don't butt in when I've had patients state: "Praise Allah." It's their choice. They are the patient, you aren't.

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

yea that part too...

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Extremism, in any faith (or state of disbelief), to the extent it interferes with the rights and privileges enjoyed by others (life, liberty, health, civil rights, equality, law, etc.), is no good.

I don't use my disbelief against the rights of others to believe--they can pray to whomever they like! In fact, if a patient asks me to pray with them, I do. I don't have to believe in the prayer, but the patient believes, and that is what matters. As I stated earlier, I do believe one's faith can be a good aid to psycho-social health when they feel they are in crisis.

I also expect those who believe to not use their faith as justification to harm me, such as stripping me, and others, of any rights based on their biblical belief of what should and should not be allowed (i.e. nope, the religious do not have a right to tell others who they can and cannot marry, or to demand others submit to their definition of morals--if you don't believe in gay marriage, don't get married to anyone of the same sex! But your religion doesn't give you the right to tell others what is acceptable for their marriage).

As long as one doesn't harm the other, we can live harmoniously. :yes:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

A farmer spent months working on an overgrown creek bottom, clearing the creek bottom, fertilizing it, planting it with vegetables, and then tending it as the crops came in. Proud of all he’d accomplished, the farmer invited his preacher out to take a look one Sunday after church.

“These are the biggest, reddest tomatoes “I’ve seen in my life,” the preacher said. “Praise the Lord! And that corn! Those are the most enormous ears I’ve ever set eyes on. God be thanked!” The preacher continued in this way, admiring the crops and praising the Lord, until the farmer broke in. “Preacher,” the farmer said, “you should have seen this creek bottom when the Lord was taking care of it by Himself.”

Ronald Reagan

I always tell the story when someone gives full credit to God and forgets about the docs, nurses and the support staff that helped out along the way

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Medical Oncology, Alzheimer/dementia.

I did work with a woman (not in my nursing career) who was Jehovah's Witness, and we got along well. We went to lunch, and would sometimes do things together outside of work. As time went on, I noticed she would say things that didn't really sit well with me. Such as referring to her religion as the "truth", and referring to anyone who was not a witness as "in the world". Now, believe me when I say I would question anyone of any religion who said things like that, so please don't think I'm singling out Jehovah's witnesses. According to her, she called it the "truth", because it is the one true religion. She moved away and I didn't keep in touch.

I've worked for Catholic health systems for the past 10 years. Religion is a big part of the mission, and speaking about religion is accepted. Working on an oncology floor, we are exposed to patients, families, and colleagues that express their faith but certainly don't talk about it 24/7.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Gerontology RN-BC and FNP MSN student.

I love my spiritual life, I try to just be myself without having to speak of God.

My joy, love, kindness, patience, and gentleness is what I'd rather be known for, after all they are fruits of my spiritual relationship with the God of my understanding.

No need to boastful or be prideful of my deeds..... I believe God exalts the humble and lowers the prideful.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU, PICU, Transport, L&D, Hospice.
You should pity those people who talk about Church all the time... They feel guilty about their relationship with God so their only way of diminishing that guilt is to make everybody around them feel guilty.

Thankfully, God does not see church, religion, holy-than-thou outward behaviors. GOD sees the heart.

I'm not certain that I agree with the guilty part.

Some people are just really engaged in their religious lives, it brings them great joy and they talk about the things that bring them joy. Sort of like someone talking incessantly about their pet or newborn or their sex life. Not everyone really wants to hear it and it is not always acceptable in every setting.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU, PICU, Transport, L&D, Hospice.
A farmer spent months working on an overgrown creek bottom, clearing the creek bottom, fertilizing it, planting it with vegetables, and then tending it as the crops came in. Proud of all he’d accomplished, the farmer invited his preacher out to take a look one Sunday after church.

“These are the biggest, reddest tomatoes “I’ve seen in my life,” the preacher said. “Praise the Lord! And that corn! Those are the most enormous ears I’ve ever set eyes on. God be thanked!” The preacher continued in this way, admiring the crops and praising the Lord, until the farmer broke in. “Preacher,” the farmer said, “you should have seen this creek bottom when the Lord was taking care of it by Himself.”

Ronald Reagan

I always tell the story when someone gives full credit to God and forgets about the docs, nurses and the support staff that helped out along the way

Beautiful!

We are the instruments, the hands and heart of God on this planet.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion