religion in the workplace

Nurses General Nursing

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Specializes in Acute Care Psych, DNP Student.
CHATSDALE said:
trying to explain faith to someone who compares God to the toothfairy is like trying to explain plaid to a blind person

I'd have to disagree. I was a true believer the first 22 or so years of my life. I still remember how I used to scoff at non-believers and the thoughts that ran through my mind. Just as the sun rises in the East and the sky is blue - I believed in Christ and Christianity. So I do understand faith and in particular, Christianity.

Many of my agnostic and atheist friends have the same experience of going from being believers to non-believers.

So I'll leave it at that because this thread isn't about me. Just please don't assume that non-believers don't understand faith. Many of us do.

Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP

4 Articles; 5,259 Posts

Specializes in Community, OB, Nursery.

People who are annoying in the supermarket asking "Have you found Jesus?" etc. are doing what they feel is obedience to Christ's command to go and preach the Good News. Whether they are going about it correctly is, well, up for plenty of debate. My personal feeling is that their intentions may be very good but their methods leave something to be desired, often turning people off to what they are trying to preach.

I feel that 'preaching' the Gospel is best done one-on-one, with someone with whom you've built a relationship. But the best preaching of the Gospel is non-verbal. You set an example. I don't mean this to sound like I have all the answers. I surely don't. And I, being a human being, am NOT always the best example. What I mean to say is that, if you really walk the walk, I've found that people will notice.

In any case, in any faith, I've also found that people don't care what you believe until they believe that you care. THAT is a million-times better witness than walking up to a stranger in a grocery store and asking him if he's 'found Jesus.' Always reminds me of Forrest Gump: "I didn't know I's s'posed to be lookin' for Him."

nurseangel47

594 Posts

Specializes in geriatric, hospice, med/surg.

Having once been a hospice nurse, I was asked by almost all of my patients in their final days that hadn't been saved and such if I believed in Heaven, etc. and we were given a wonderful opportunity to discuss the hereafter and our beliefs, both me and the patient. Kind of added to the whole death and dying experience in my opinion. A very personal thing for the pt. to feel comfortable enough to open up that way and it helped them to not fear death as much. Some even got saved with the chaplain helping them and with loved ones present. It was very sweet and spiritual.

Specializes in Oncology/Haemetology/HIV.
multicollinarity said:
Just respond, "Have you all lost him again?!"

Sorry. I couldn't resist.

Actually my answer was, "Of course, I found him - he was wedged in between the sofa cushions, along with some change, stale popcorn and a TV remote."

As for the individual that is upset about disrespecting Christianity with this kind of response, it is very disrespectful to ask such a question of a stranger or someone that one is not on close terms with. Much like asking about, "how much money do you make?" or "When will you be having Babies, FINALLY?", it is rude. Thus an equally rude response is acceptable.

I have also had Christians sling enough snide comments about my religion that this one would be minor. The Preacher's wife/charge nurse that referred to negotiating a car price as "J-wing the price down" comes to mind. There are all sorts of discrimination against other religions that do not raise an eyebrow amongst Christians.

jojotoo, RN

494 Posts

Specializes in Emergency.
caroladybelle said:
Actually my answer was, "Of course, I found him - he was wedged in between the sofa cushions, along with some change, stale popcorn and a TV remote."

As for the individual that is upset about disrespecting Christianity with this kind of response, it is very disrespectful to ask such a question of a stranger or someone that one is not on close terms with. Much like asking about, "how much money do you make?" or "When will you be having Babies, FINALLY?", it is rude. Thus an equally rude response is acceptable.

I have also had Christians sling enough snide comments about my religion that this one would be minor. The Preacher's wife/charge nurse that referred to negotiating a car price as "J-wing the price down" comes to mind. There are all sorts of discrimination against other religions that do not raise an eyebrow amongst Christians.

Again, I ask, when did it become so acceptable to ridicule someone's beliefs? Or is it only a Christian's beliefs?

How is it rude to ask if you believe in Jesus? If the answer is no, and you don't want any further interaction with the inquirer, just say so. Or as one poster said, "Thank you for your concern, but I'm not interested." What response do you give to those selling Girl Scout cookies, or collecting for homeless shelters,, or school kids selling magazines or candy? Is a sarcastic response appropriate? Or do you just say "No thank you".

And as far as Christians (or anybody else) making snide comments about others, well that's wrong too. People make comments like this for one of two reasons. Either they are mean-spirited or they are ignorant. If they are mean-spirited, there's not much you can do about them, their change of behavior has to come from within. But if they are ignorant, their behavior can be changed by educating them.

Did you tell your charge nurse that the expression, "J-- somebody down" was an ugly, hurtful sterotype? And what did she say to that?

Specializes in Acute Care Psych, DNP Student.

jojotoo,

I don't know what to say if you don't understand why we feel it is rude. It's not like asking if you would like to buy a box of Girl Scout cookies. It's just not. It is a boundary violation, particularly at work.

I responded with my, "Have you all lost him?" statement only once, and that was with a relative. She was persisting in being intrusive despite my polite responses.

I suppose in a perfect world I would be compassionate and light and love 24 hours a day no matter what is said to me. But I'm not. So if someone keeps pushing and pushing and doesn't respect my boundaries, yes you bet I may make a snarky comment.

I find it strange that you aren't acknowledging that we have boundaries. Instead you are protesting our stiff responses to boundary violation? Odd.

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide

VivaLasViejas, ASN, RN

22 Articles; 9,987 Posts

Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

A Friendly Reminder:

The original topic of this thread was about whether other nurses are religious, and if so, whether they pray with/for their patients..........NOT whose religion is most/least tolerant or how some supposedly religious people look down on those who don't share their views. Please stick to the subject at hand, and remember to debate the TOPIC, not each other. Thank you.

jojotoo, RN

494 Posts

Specializes in Emergency.
multicollinarity said:
jojotoo,

I don't know what to say if you don't understand why we feel it is rude. It's not like asking if you would like to buy a box of Girl Scout cookies. It's just not. It is a boundary violation, particularly at work.

I responded with my, "Have you all lost him?" statement only once, and that was with a relative. She was persisting in being intrusive despite my polite responses.

I suppose in a perfect world I would be compassionate and light and love 24 hours a day no matter what is said to me. But I'm not. So if someone keeps pushing and pushing and doesn't respect my boundaries, yes you bet I may make a snarky comment.

I find it strange that you aren't acknowledging that we have boundaries. Instead you are protesting our stiff responses to boundary violation? Odd.

A boundary violation - at work? Do you mean a violation of my boundaries if a patient approaches me with questions?

Or do you mean a violation of the patient's boundaries? And if so, would this violation be any worse than the other questions that I ask my patients? Do you have HIV? Use street drugs? Do you have unprotected sex? Are your kids' immunizations UTD? Why not? Why haven't you followed up with your PMD for this problem? Have you made a police report that your SO assaulted you?

Yes, I am quite intrusive in my patients lives, with the expectation that by doing so I will make a positive difference in theirs.

Specializes in Oncology/Haemetology/HIV.

My suggestion to JoJo and others is to read the post below, to which we were responding:

The poster was not in any sort of personal relationship with those that asked her about her Faith. People without any sort of relationship asked a personal question that had no therapeutic purpose. There was no need to ask this question and if unsolicited, it was rude.

The same would be true if the individuals in question asked her how much money she makes, when she will finally lose weight, or when is she having children. One can blanket this curiosity with the tag, "Oh, I only ask for her own good so that she : knows she is underpaid, she needs to lose weight for her health, or if she doesn't have kids soon, she risks losing fertility"

After all, you are only asking "for her own good".

But it is still unbelievably rude and inappropriate if unsolicited. And none of these individuals "need" this information to do their job. Thus a curt answer may be warranted. Sometimes a curt answer is the ONLY thing that will shut them up.

As a nurse, however, I may need that information to properly care for the patient's needs. The patient, though does not need to know these things about me because they are not there to care for my needs. So I am polite, generally will tell them my religious affiliation, but am not required to.

I have had patients decline to answer the "religion question" because they thought that asking the religion question was rude or give sarcastic answers because they felt it unduly evasive. I let it roll off of me. Despite my need to know this info, they have a right to their privacy.

Just as we have a right to privacy in the supermarket or while helping with eye exams. If those that proselytze insist on doing it in an impolite manner, they should expect some impolite treatment. There are plenty of right and polite ways to get people to understand your religion, without invading others privacy inappropriately.

And I regret, that you feel insulted by a quip about "finding" Jesus, but it is a tad more polite than cursing you out, slamming the door in your face and sicing the dog on you at the door, when you have just awakened this daysleeper up to give them an unsolicited lecture about your religion. Or answering honestly, that I know about your beliefs, I am not interested and would you please let me do my job/shopping/go back to sleep. I doubt if you take that any better than the quip.

It also does not hold a candle to comments made and tolerated about other religions/beliefs.

(PS, Why is it "finding" and not knowing - the comment is also about poor use of language and grammar - more than religion?)

Regarding the preacher' wife. I did not correct her "j-wing" down. Because that is her language and belief system, and minor issues like that do not really bother me that much. I have bigger things to worry about than phrases like "j-wing" down, at work.

EmilyUSFRN said:
I have been wondering the same thing. I have been approached by people in the grocery store, by people I was working with doing eye exams, etc. etc. etc. asking ME if I had found Jesus? My question then is-- how do you dodge that one? I practice Buddhism and is a personal belief. Here, in the deep south, ehh-- not taken incredibly well. I have been caught off guard many times for not only being asked, but then before answering being told that I am going to H*ll because I am wearing Adidas sneakers-- think the mom in WaterBoy. A few times things like this have happened. What is the best way to handle a situation like this? Eluding the subject or being honest about my beliefs and practices?

Obviously, not by putting my own beliefs on someone, just asking how did/have you responded if put into this position?

Specializes in Cardiac.
multicollinarity said:
Roy,

As far as a name...people have been trying that for ages. Freethinkers...Brights...followers of The Flying Spaghetti Monster...etc.

And may you be touched by His noodly appendage, dear Roy.;)

Of course, we are getting OT.

I am not suprised at all that you know about the flying spaghetti montser Multi! Lol.

erichRN

68 Posts

Specializes in geriatrics, telemetry, ICU, admin.

Jesus paid the penalty for your infractions against His character. This is called "love." It's up to you what you will do with it.

Specializes in Oncology/Haemetology/HIV.
erichRN said:
Jesus paid the penalty for your infractions against His character. This is called "love." It's up to you what you will do with it.

Thank You Erich.

My religion, does not require that sort of painful sacrifice, for "love". My G-d accepts me as I am but encourages me to do better for me and others around me, to the best of my abilities, faulty creation that I am. And my Creator loves me still. Without reservations or others paying a penalty.

Now can we get back to the thread.

If a patient/person solicites religious concern, then one can it discuss more freely. If it is unsolicited, that is more problematic.

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