Why am I constantly being flooded with religious lectures?!?

Question

I work as a district manager and buyer for a very large company, most of my days are spent traveling around the district checking supplies and fixing "bugs". I am 19 and I have worked incredibly hard for this position. I am an Atheist. Since getting this position Many Many people have taken it upon themselves to "save" me. I cannot even go to the inside or outside break areas without being lectured about God or Christ. I am very professional when it comes to my career, I do not mention my views or opinions about religion if I am on company time. I am a very private person and I do not have any outside relationship with these people, so what I am trying to understand is why can I not sit in my break room without being told "God Bless" Or "the lord be with you" I am very respectful of all religions and do not judge anyone due to their beliefs, I just want the same respect. Since I am at work and I am technically their manager I have a legal obligation not to say anything in return. Most or these people are older and I am sure I would be seen as the devil if I were to say anything. I am concerned that if I do say something it will seem disrespectful. Are these people legally allowed to voice their views openly on company time? During my year training I was told repeatedly never to say a word about my personal beliefs. Why does this not apply to them also? And all employees?

Please, I do not consider "God Bless" to be a lecture, sadly it has gone as far as someone following me and still attempting conversation about the subject after I have already tried repeatedly to end it.

I am being bothered all day long by certain people who will just not let up..I avoid them at all costs, I hate the feeling of not wanting to step outside my office.

Answer 1

Overlook it and they have a right to freedom of speech!

Answer 2

I've worked in leadership positions for the last 15 years, in a variety of industries (everything from aircraft maintenance to retail).

As a manager, you have a duty to not only yourself, but others to handle this. You can handle it a few different ways. On an individual level, simply tell the person who is doing the "saving" that you wish to leave personal beliefs out of the work place, thank them and leave it there. If that doesn't work, you can take the next step, and address it that there have been some complaints ( you don't neccessarily need to say that they're yours), and that the religious discussions need to be held to a minimum. If after handling it in a polite fashion it continues, you may need to inform these individuals that they are bordering on a type of harrassment. Speak to human resources, and find out what the company's policy is. Most companies adhere to the policy that anything that can be viewed as offensive is not permitted on company time. Religion is included, because those with differing beliefs can develop a certain degree of animosity towards each other.

Bear a few things in mind. First of all, when a person says "god bless", sometimes its just their own personal variation of "take care" (which, at least in my eyes, is a no harm no foul situation). If it continues on beyond that though, then yes, you should say something.

Secondly, you are a manager now. It's one of your obligations to make things run smoothly, and some of your decisions will be unpopular. Make sure you handle the situation in such a way that the company is recieving their due (work for pay), but that you're also sensitive to the feelings/needs of those who work under you. You may have to step on a few toes occasionally, to keep everything running smoothly.

Hope this helps.

Answer 3

If you are 'technically' their manager, why can't you state lovingly or "lets not talk about this on company's time". You sound like a rookie and this is not an insult, but grace comes with time. Younger people are whipped into shape, but as you become older you give in to or don't bother with rules and regs. Just ignore them and they'll go away orrrrr not. Enjoy your new colleagues anyway.

Answer 4

I am a christian and this has never happened to me at work and I certainly don't lecture others at work about my belief system.

Maybe you are in the wrong job. There are plenty of jobs where you will never experience this. Is management christian or is there a reason that you have a lot of christians in your workplace. It just seems strange to me that you would encounter this so often.

Seeing you are asking though, I as a christian would respect someone telling me they were not interested in hearing about the bible because the bible does teach not to speak to those who do not want to hear. If these people feel appropriate in speaking to you about this at work then I don't think it is innappropriate to tell them you are satisfied with the beliefs you currently hold. You don't need to tell them your beliefs. This should be sufficient.

Answer 5

You have a difficult situation. Depending upon the religious leanings of your boss, "saying something" about it, could lead to more ugliness. It sounds like a bigger company since you had a "year training" and were told repeatedly to never say a word about your personal beliefs.

Rather than go to your boss directly, would you feel comfortable speaking with the human resource dept? They might be a better avenue of approach. Also, check the ACLU website for ideas on how to approach this.

It hasn't happend to me to that degree - sorry I'm not more help.

p.s. and to the people who say "Take it as a blessing and like it" - how would you like it if, multiple times a day, people said "May Allah bless you" and reminded you to bow to Mecca when you sneezed? A little "Jesus in your face" is tolerable, but what she is going thru is a big much.

Answer 6

Is God bless, or Lord be with you, a lecture? Find out legally if you can respectfully voice your beliefs as others do, and if yes, simply TELL people what you believe, and that should be the end of it!

EDIT:

DINGWALLPLAYER?

a Christian minister?

Answer 7

Hey there... as a christian minister I can sympathize with you. religious fundamentalism is on the rise in the usa... It must be combated and resisted by ALL. Work is probably not the appropriate place to have this battle, but there is cerainly NO reason why you shouldn't be able to say "I'd prefer not to talk about faith" -also, be sure to say "faith" and not "religion".... if you say "faith" it makes it personal, and tells the person to shut the hell up. if you say "religion" they might think you mean religion in general, and since they probably see their own beliefs not as religion, but as Truth, they will feel as if it is still apropriate to come on strong.

just say "Let's not talk about faith anymore"... and be firm. as firm as it takes.

the christian evangelical tradition does not hesitate to play dirty. if you try to come back at them with your atheist tradition, and later have to discipline them with anything, you'd better believe that they'll cry out "religious persecution" because at the end of the day, these crazy fanatics want to believe that the end times are coming and that any time they are hassled, is a representation of this...

they are probably this way because it's easy... so much easier than actually doing some research and finding out that the book of revelation to john is comfort literature in apocalyptic style written to the church who was facing persecution under rome... (and it actually wasn't ven the church so much as ALL minority groups... the church was largely ignored... another case of people wanting their faith to be SO important that EVERYONE wants to take them down...)

Good luck at work... if it helps you might think about saying something like "I pray to satan daily for you to be lead into temptation and delivered unto evil..." (okay, that last bit is probably over the top... but wouldn't it feel good?)

jmk

Answer 8

Well, the same rules don't apply to you simply because you are in a position of 'authority' over them.

That being said, I'm sure you can find a way to calmly and logically explain your beliefs, and tell your subordinates that you don't have time to listen to them try to 'save' you.

Answer 9

It sounds to me like you work for a very conservative company, maybe a gun manufacturer, a supplier to the boy/girl scouts, country music distribution. Military supplies?

Answer 10

What a great question!!!
Well I have to tell you that people more than likely, can see something about you.
That's why!
What you do with it is up to you....yes they can say what they want...as they have in a nice way.
It would seem...God is trying to reach you!
Just don't wait till the last moment.....that's all I have to say on this subject.

Answer 11

Can you arrange for a different Place to Break at?
Just a Thought.