If somebody speaks out against another's religion/belief at work?

Question

do you:
A) Ignore them
B) Speak up
C) Get into a heated debate over religion right then and there
D)Report it to Human Resources since it is religious discrimination

I only ask because at work today, an athiest just started in about how Christians are fools and the Bible is just a book. Then he and another co-worker began to get into a debate over God vs Science, and although I am a Christian, I don't believe that work is the place for that. What do you think?

Jade, they weren't having a discussion that I was eavesdropping in on, they were full blown telling eachother what they thought of the other person's belief.

Answer 1

I don't like any of the choices you offer. If it were me, and the debate was loud enough to intrude into my workspace (which it obviously was), I would ask them to keep it down so I could concentrate on work. If they didn't take the hint to shut up, I would bluntly ask them to keep religion outside of the office.

I am going through a similar issue at work right now, so I feel for you. Personally, I believe that we Christians ought to let our behavior and our lives speak for us, and choose very, very carefully the instances in which we verbally share our faith. I think pushy, preachy fanatical Christians who try to convert everything in sight have done more damage to Christianity's reputation than almost anything else. They are a turn off to ME, and I believe in the same Bible (if not quite the same interpretation of it as some of the Ann Coulter-style nut jobs out there).

Mostly, I think that religious, political, or deeply personal discussion at work distracts people from their purpose: to WORK. The job is NOT a place to convert people to your side, in religion, politics, or anything else. Unless, of course, you are a priest or a politician, in which case you can go nuts. Otherwise, save it for when someone isn't paying you to be productive.

Answer 2

Religion is not an appropriate topic for discussion in the workplace. I would ignore them or speak up and ask them to either debate after work or move it to a non-work area, like a break room if possible.

Report it to HR ONLY if they continue to make you feel uncomfortable and only as a last resort. Speak up for how you feel and ask them politely to refrain from religious discussions at work. I don't see how this type of thing could be considered religious discrimination.... it you got fired for speaking up and asking them to stop, THEN it might be.

Answer 3

I think it largely depends on the Local Laws and the Rules of Conduct (etc) of your Employer.

It is unsuitable & disruptive in the Work place & unfortunately what you've described, sounds like at lest one person (or both for that matter) involved was deliberately provoking the situation. Which is wrong.

At the very least - I'd consider options like offering to buy both of them a cuppa to continue the "debate" outside work hours & with luck the heat'll be gone by then.



.

Answer 4

Ephesians 6:18 And pray interior the Spirit on all events with all varieties of prayers and requests. With this in suggestions, be alert and consistently shop on praying for each and all of the saints. i think of you're at a loss for words as to the adaptation between speaking against and speaking to. A Christian is to communicate against sin yet TO the guy!

Answer 5

Work isn't the place for that. I would speak up, but only to ask them to have the discussion somewhere else, not in the workplace.

Should it continue, then speaking with the boss is the next step, and then possibly on to HR.

I enjoy a good debate as well as anyone, but work is not the place for controversial debates, it's a place to do your job. Obviously people socialize at work, but the rule of thumb is to avoid politics and religion at work.

Answer 6

I would just ignore them unless you feel like getting into the same heated debate as your co-workers. Like you said, work isnt the place for that kind of discussion. If you indulge in the coversation the same options as you posed may come to haunt you in the end. If you ignore it, being that the person doesnt share your same religeous views as they are entitled to as well as you its no harm no fowl for you in the end. Something to think about huh.

Answer 7

I'm an atheist, but that's totally uncool. Unless the atheist in question was reacting to a Christian who wouldn't stop babbling about Jesus. In which case, that atheist was just unwise. But yeah, the workplace is not the environment to trash religion. I'm for A. I think D is best left for serial offenders.

Answer 8

First ignore, if it continues consider speaking to your HRD.

I am an atheist but in the work place these types of discussions are not appropriate. Both of them behaved badly.

As an atheist, I frequently have to hold my tongue, Christians should do the same thing.

Answer 9

Well of coarse the first natural reaction you have is to stand up for what you believe in, but in our world we live in you cant do that at work cause it is deemed inappropriate. Unless you work at a bar or a tattoo parlor, then I guess it would be good conversation. Plus If your a Christian you should watch the movie Zeitgeist- then you would know what the bible is really trying to tell you.

Also Is your last name English??

Answer 10

You need to do what YOU believe in if you think that walking away and talking to them after hours than go for it. If you would rather have an all out brawl at work over you religious beliefs more power to ya. But me I would ignore them and pray to God that they would come to see the light. And ask them to keep their opinions to themselves.