Woman Rolls Her Eyes At Coworker’s “Jesus Propaganda”, Considers Reporting It To HR
For some, the toughest part of their job is dealing with coworkers. Not only because you constantly have to endure sometimes excruciating small talk and all that stuff, but also because some of those people are simply annoying as hell.
The reasons behind why they’re such a nuisance can be various. Here, in today’s story, it was religion. Well, maybe not as much as that, as the colleague’s insistence to draw in others to her beliefs, even when they didn’t want any of that. So, you can only imagine how annoying that is.
More info: Reddit
Sometimes the hardest part about the job is dealing with annoying coworkers
Image credits: prostock-studio / Freepik (not the actual photo)
Just like the ones, who like to push their “Jesus propaganda” on you
Image credits: freepik / Freepik (not the actual photo)
One day, during a meeting this one coworker randomly brought up Jesus, which annoyed the employee
Image credits: freepik / Freepik (not the actual photo)
Then, after that meeting she started talking to the colleague, saying they need Jesus and all that stuff
Image credits: piximelon
After this encounter the employee was so annoyed that they thought about reporting the coworker to the HR
During one of the OP’s work meetings, it was clear that their manager was stressed and/or in a bad mood because of something. Thus, the meeting wasn’t one of the easiest ones – she basically scolded the team for not meeting their goals and discussing how they need to improve in the near future.
After this uneasy meeting, one of the coworkers randomly shifted the conversation towards the good news – “Jesus is coming back!” Well, this news wasn’t that great for the original poster, as they are an atheist.
But it annoyed them more for the fact that it was during work, not that it was religious itself – why should someone include Jesus in a professional setting? Do that on your own time and don’t assume everyone shares your beliefs.
To make matters worse, not only did this one coworker bring that up, but others reciprocated, saying “Amen” and such. And it wasn’t the ending of, as the OP called it, “Jesus propaganda.” The next event offended the employee even more. After the meeting, the religious lady came to them and tried giving something with her brought up topic, despite the author’s resistance to it.
Well, technically speaking, religion is not forbidden in a workplace. In fact, in relatively many countries, the law requires organizations to provide employees with a safe environment to practice their religion. Essentially, it’s believed that letting people express their religion or spirituality can lead to more fulfilling work experiences, job satisfaction, and improved morale.
Image credits: freepik / Freepik (not the actual photo)
These adjustments to accommodate someone’s religion can include things like giving them time and space for a prayer time; avoiding assignments that might conflict with their beliefs, honoring dietary requirements or dress codes, and so on. In addition to that, if the employer’s religion does not match that of the employee, it’s illegal for them to discriminate against them in any way.
At the same time, atheism or other kinds of non-religion should be respected too – if a person doesn’t want religion shoved down their throats during professional meetings, that should be respected too. It simply does not match their beliefs, so it shouldn’t affect their job, as long as it’s not what the role requires.
While the law is a bit murkier regarding non-religion, it still technically states that no one should be discriminated against based on their beliefs, even if they are basically non-believing. And pushing your beliefs onto someone counts as discrimination, as you do not respect their decision. That’s why today’s OP thought about going to HR after an encounter with a religious coworker.
Netizens supported such a decision of hers, just warned the woman to look up her rights before doing anything, just to have a rock-solid case before creating a storm. Do you agree with their views? Or would you suggest something else to her? Our comments section is always open to your ideas!
Netizens thought that HR was a good option, as long as the employee makes sure they know all their right before opening up the case
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Imagine how some of these ultra-Christians would feel if Muslims, Hindus or Jews - or even Satanists - were doing the same thing to them. Don't inflict your imaginary friends on others.
"If you mention the Lord to me one more time, I will move you closer to him." ~ Basil Fawlty
"God moves in mysterious ways. Please do likewise."
Load More Replies...All hail the flying spaghetti monster. I would have some fun with people like that.
Before I retired, I was in a team that organised my hospital's remembrance service for babies-these were the miscarried and stillborn babies. It was ecumenical, and also had secular poems and readings. One year, we had a change of leadership, and the service was completely religious-not just religious, but fire-and -brimstone "God wanted your baby so you should be happy he's in a good place." We got a more than a few complaints from parents (and from some of the committee because a lot of what happened at the service was changed secretly from what the committee had originally chosen). One of the members, a midwife, said that those parents who had complained didn't count, we didn't need to bother responding because their babies weren't going to Heaven anyway. Out loud, minuted, in an official meeting. HR refused pointblank to say or do anything because she was entitled to express her views. Just disgusting.
😱 What? 😱 So they took what sounds like a lovely, loving, and comforting-to-the-parents event and … filled it with judgment and hate? 😱 Really? 😱 I just don’t … understand, I guess. They were … throwing events for the babies thinking “They’re in hell, so this silly service is wasting my time.” 😱 And THESE are the types of people running around telling US how we’re going to hell because we haven’t accepted Jesus into our lives. 🤬 Mabel, how many of ‘em didja punch? (Kidding. I’m fairly certain you used all the restraint you had not to punch ‘em. If, however, your restraint slipped and you 🥊ed a couple, I’d absolutely send some money for your bail!) Just … wow. They’re walking around thinking how great and godly they are, when what you describe just sounds … *evil* to me. I hope all of ‘em go to hell! 🤬
Load More Replies...A boss of mine was complaining to a contractor about how she was completely failing in the job. Every time she denied an instance, he produced the documentation. Finally she said, "At least I know that Jesus loves me!" My boss replied, "Jesus loves everybody. He loves rapists, serial killers, and drooling idiots. Nice peer group you got there." (She was replaced by her company.)
😳 Oh, my goodness! I wish I coulda watched her deflate, realizing she wasn’t nearly as special as she thought. The prayers she squeezed out that night musta been awfully tearful! (I’ve got two outstanding friends who are both *ultra-religious*; one’s a minister and the other’s been a friend since we were twelve. Both tried to “bring me into the fold” at the very beginning; I attended each’s church exactly once, told ‘em it still wasn't my thing, and that was the end of that. The childhood friend never mentioned it again in the 53 years of our friendship, and the minister hasn’t, either. The minister is FANTASTIC when I need advice or guidance, and does so without a peep about religion. I would happily give either my heart if they needed a transplant. Unfortunately, thanks to them, I got the impression all religious people are like them, and I’m let down every single day to re-realize they’re rarer than Fabergé eggs. 😞😞😞)
Load More Replies...I've always wanted to have the gumption to accept the pamphlets shoved at my face by these redeemers and reply "Thank you, these will be good for starting the fire at the next coven meeting." Sadly, I'm a coward.
I alternate between being a Wiccan and a satanist. Funny how I don't have many bead rattlers showing up at my door anymore.
Load More Replies...I've lived this scenario, only with MANY people all from the same church working in the office (long story on how that happened). There came a point where I had to make it clear that my relationship to religion was personal and not something I was willing to share. I did not participate in their morning prayers in the breakroom. They were welcome to pray for me (it is a sign of someone's caring about you) but I otherwise didn't want to discuss it. After muliple attempts to discuss/invitations/etc, I reported it to HR as an interference with my ability to work in a normal way. HR released an email reiterating the policy that the workplace was just that - a place of work. They stopped bothering me, and I never acted like they ever had, and we all continued to co-exist peacefully. But you HAVE to stand up for yourself first!
Same here, at one place I worked. I secretly nicknamed them the church ladies, a group of about four or five evangelical holy rollers. They didn’t like me because, after being repeatedly proselytized to, I told them I am not religious and will not change that, so leave me alone! A few days after that, they put their little heads together and started talking about me going to hell. One of them even had the audacity to claim that she KNEW she was going to heaven, because she attends church regularly. They didn’t know I was right there, behind a tall cubby divider, and heard every single word. When I came around that screen and they saw me, you never saw all the shades of red their faces were from embarrassment at being caught. I went straight to HR, as my manager was on vacation, recounted all the proselytizing, plus that day’s overheard conversation about me, and said it made for a work hostile environment for me. They were NOT happy to hear about it. In my state, religious talk like that—-especially the relentless proselytizing—-is against the law. The next day, management called every employee in fir a group meeting to announce that there will be no more religious talk at work. They said anyone doing it will get a written warning, with three warnings meaning termination. They explained in simple terms (so the church ladies could understand) that it toxicity in the workplace, especially for those who aren’t just like the ones doing the proselytizing, can be considered discrimination, and the company will not tolerate it. I never heard the church ladies put their heads together again.
Load More Replies...when i worked at Target, people would hand me stuff like this and i'd say, "Thanks!", and throw it away immediately. the best is when you ask them, "can i have more of these?" and they give you their whole stack, and you just toss them all.
I fully approve, but what a waste of paper and resources. We received a religious propaganda book- like a soft cover printed book, not a pamphlet- in the mail recently and I was so mad about the absolute waste of resources that went into it when 99% of those books would end up in the garbage (or recycling). I also wonder about the cost to print and mail out whole books.
Load More Replies...Clueless, selfish, pushy people like this make "Jesus" look about as attractive as a chronic yeast infection. It's like you want to say, if being in your religion makes me act like you, I'll take a pass.
Right. If Jesus was really like what His "believers" make him out to be, that would explain why He was crucified.
Load More Replies...The YTA, "you rolled your eyes. That was rude." No, calling a spontaneous prayer circle at work is rude. Expecting everyone to be happy about it is rude. If OP said no thank you to the pamphlet but it was forced on her and she got a mini lecture. She responded perhaps rudely to a rude and inappropriate action.
My neighbour is a dyed in the wool Christian who prays for me if anything goes wrong in my life. I am not offended by it and take it as a caring gesture. On the other hand, when she goes on her racist rants then I shut those down pretty quickly!
Start wearing a Satan inspired necklace.. either they leave you alone, HR bans all religion, or they escalate and you can rat them out for screaming matches or similar
A pentacle alone will wind them up. Because no one knows what a pentacle actually means.
Load More Replies...“Where can I get one of those necklaces with the lower case ‘t’ on it?” “A cross?” “Across from where?” - Arrested Development
Load More Replies..."Here, it seems like you could use some Mohammed in your life". If they don't flip out, then I'd call it even.
I can't stand people who try to shove religion down other peoples' throats. The bible specifically says that if somebody's not interested in hearing the Good News, thou must shake the dust from thy feet and get out. Obsessed evangelisers always seem to forget that part, along with the other verse that says don't be a showoff who prays in the street.
“I’ve got even better news - Satan is returning, too! Who wants a pamphlet?”
HR should say to this person what they would say to someone trying to run a MLM business out of the office - "No, that's not what we pay you to do here. You're here to work for the company, not some outside interest."
This: “I really dislike when people claim they are being judged unfairly meanwhile judging someone unfairly.” And this: “ This is not how people should be acting and it really bothers me to see other Christian's acting like this.” Just like there are some Christians who push their beliefs on other, some other people do the same thing to them. Stereotyping a whole group based on the actions of a few is unfair. People learn a lot being open to hearing other points of view. I have had great conversations with people of other faiths (or lack).
Why not be "one of those" atheists who stands up for the law and for those who feel silenced by whatever it is that's wrong with Georgia? After all, she's being "one of those" Christians bullying people and trying to get involved into their most intimate lives. Most Christians feel their hearts sinking when someone pulls something like that because it's hypocritical. It's costly signaling. If she really wanted to convert people, she would use a tactic that hasnt been shown to alienate people. She's just making sure people know she's Betty Bowers, she has no interest in actually welcoming people to Jesus.
Likely for the same reason lotsa women want a witness when they breakup with a man: because they’re scared of what might happen to them if he’s angry. (I know that’s why *I* don’t stand up for us for many things, and not just religion.) Maybe if I could do it along with three Christians (the good kind!) I might feel more compelled. (Unfortunately, the two most epically-excellent Christians i know are far away in different states. 😰) Maybe if we ever get the US government straightened out (something that looks less and less likely to happen in my lifetime 😞), there could be legislation against people pushing their religion (or other agendas, like anti-vax, homophobia, etc) on others. I’d wanna call it the “Live and Let Live” law, or the “Leave People the Hell Alone! 😀” law. Sigh. A girl can still dream. (Right?)
Load More Replies...Hope OP got another job. That place sounds hard to take. I would've called out Mrs. Preacher + said, "My religion doesn't require me to wear it like a burden." And I definitely would have told HR, just so they know I was uncomfortable + wasn't going to put up with non-work-related preaching at me.
Imagine how some of these ultra-Christians would feel if Muslims, Hindus or Jews - or even Satanists - were doing the same thing to them. Don't inflict your imaginary friends on others.
"If you mention the Lord to me one more time, I will move you closer to him." ~ Basil Fawlty
"God moves in mysterious ways. Please do likewise."
Load More Replies...All hail the flying spaghetti monster. I would have some fun with people like that.
Before I retired, I was in a team that organised my hospital's remembrance service for babies-these were the miscarried and stillborn babies. It was ecumenical, and also had secular poems and readings. One year, we had a change of leadership, and the service was completely religious-not just religious, but fire-and -brimstone "God wanted your baby so you should be happy he's in a good place." We got a more than a few complaints from parents (and from some of the committee because a lot of what happened at the service was changed secretly from what the committee had originally chosen). One of the members, a midwife, said that those parents who had complained didn't count, we didn't need to bother responding because their babies weren't going to Heaven anyway. Out loud, minuted, in an official meeting. HR refused pointblank to say or do anything because she was entitled to express her views. Just disgusting.
😱 What? 😱 So they took what sounds like a lovely, loving, and comforting-to-the-parents event and … filled it with judgment and hate? 😱 Really? 😱 I just don’t … understand, I guess. They were … throwing events for the babies thinking “They’re in hell, so this silly service is wasting my time.” 😱 And THESE are the types of people running around telling US how we’re going to hell because we haven’t accepted Jesus into our lives. 🤬 Mabel, how many of ‘em didja punch? (Kidding. I’m fairly certain you used all the restraint you had not to punch ‘em. If, however, your restraint slipped and you 🥊ed a couple, I’d absolutely send some money for your bail!) Just … wow. They’re walking around thinking how great and godly they are, when what you describe just sounds … *evil* to me. I hope all of ‘em go to hell! 🤬
Load More Replies...A boss of mine was complaining to a contractor about how she was completely failing in the job. Every time she denied an instance, he produced the documentation. Finally she said, "At least I know that Jesus loves me!" My boss replied, "Jesus loves everybody. He loves rapists, serial killers, and drooling idiots. Nice peer group you got there." (She was replaced by her company.)
😳 Oh, my goodness! I wish I coulda watched her deflate, realizing she wasn’t nearly as special as she thought. The prayers she squeezed out that night musta been awfully tearful! (I’ve got two outstanding friends who are both *ultra-religious*; one’s a minister and the other’s been a friend since we were twelve. Both tried to “bring me into the fold” at the very beginning; I attended each’s church exactly once, told ‘em it still wasn't my thing, and that was the end of that. The childhood friend never mentioned it again in the 53 years of our friendship, and the minister hasn’t, either. The minister is FANTASTIC when I need advice or guidance, and does so without a peep about religion. I would happily give either my heart if they needed a transplant. Unfortunately, thanks to them, I got the impression all religious people are like them, and I’m let down every single day to re-realize they’re rarer than Fabergé eggs. 😞😞😞)
Load More Replies...I've always wanted to have the gumption to accept the pamphlets shoved at my face by these redeemers and reply "Thank you, these will be good for starting the fire at the next coven meeting." Sadly, I'm a coward.
I alternate between being a Wiccan and a satanist. Funny how I don't have many bead rattlers showing up at my door anymore.
Load More Replies...I've lived this scenario, only with MANY people all from the same church working in the office (long story on how that happened). There came a point where I had to make it clear that my relationship to religion was personal and not something I was willing to share. I did not participate in their morning prayers in the breakroom. They were welcome to pray for me (it is a sign of someone's caring about you) but I otherwise didn't want to discuss it. After muliple attempts to discuss/invitations/etc, I reported it to HR as an interference with my ability to work in a normal way. HR released an email reiterating the policy that the workplace was just that - a place of work. They stopped bothering me, and I never acted like they ever had, and we all continued to co-exist peacefully. But you HAVE to stand up for yourself first!
Same here, at one place I worked. I secretly nicknamed them the church ladies, a group of about four or five evangelical holy rollers. They didn’t like me because, after being repeatedly proselytized to, I told them I am not religious and will not change that, so leave me alone! A few days after that, they put their little heads together and started talking about me going to hell. One of them even had the audacity to claim that she KNEW she was going to heaven, because she attends church regularly. They didn’t know I was right there, behind a tall cubby divider, and heard every single word. When I came around that screen and they saw me, you never saw all the shades of red their faces were from embarrassment at being caught. I went straight to HR, as my manager was on vacation, recounted all the proselytizing, plus that day’s overheard conversation about me, and said it made for a work hostile environment for me. They were NOT happy to hear about it. In my state, religious talk like that—-especially the relentless proselytizing—-is against the law. The next day, management called every employee in fir a group meeting to announce that there will be no more religious talk at work. They said anyone doing it will get a written warning, with three warnings meaning termination. They explained in simple terms (so the church ladies could understand) that it toxicity in the workplace, especially for those who aren’t just like the ones doing the proselytizing, can be considered discrimination, and the company will not tolerate it. I never heard the church ladies put their heads together again.
Load More Replies...when i worked at Target, people would hand me stuff like this and i'd say, "Thanks!", and throw it away immediately. the best is when you ask them, "can i have more of these?" and they give you their whole stack, and you just toss them all.
I fully approve, but what a waste of paper and resources. We received a religious propaganda book- like a soft cover printed book, not a pamphlet- in the mail recently and I was so mad about the absolute waste of resources that went into it when 99% of those books would end up in the garbage (or recycling). I also wonder about the cost to print and mail out whole books.
Load More Replies...Clueless, selfish, pushy people like this make "Jesus" look about as attractive as a chronic yeast infection. It's like you want to say, if being in your religion makes me act like you, I'll take a pass.
Right. If Jesus was really like what His "believers" make him out to be, that would explain why He was crucified.
Load More Replies...The YTA, "you rolled your eyes. That was rude." No, calling a spontaneous prayer circle at work is rude. Expecting everyone to be happy about it is rude. If OP said no thank you to the pamphlet but it was forced on her and she got a mini lecture. She responded perhaps rudely to a rude and inappropriate action.
My neighbour is a dyed in the wool Christian who prays for me if anything goes wrong in my life. I am not offended by it and take it as a caring gesture. On the other hand, when she goes on her racist rants then I shut those down pretty quickly!
Start wearing a Satan inspired necklace.. either they leave you alone, HR bans all religion, or they escalate and you can rat them out for screaming matches or similar
A pentacle alone will wind them up. Because no one knows what a pentacle actually means.
Load More Replies...“Where can I get one of those necklaces with the lower case ‘t’ on it?” “A cross?” “Across from where?” - Arrested Development
Load More Replies..."Here, it seems like you could use some Mohammed in your life". If they don't flip out, then I'd call it even.
I can't stand people who try to shove religion down other peoples' throats. The bible specifically says that if somebody's not interested in hearing the Good News, thou must shake the dust from thy feet and get out. Obsessed evangelisers always seem to forget that part, along with the other verse that says don't be a showoff who prays in the street.
“I’ve got even better news - Satan is returning, too! Who wants a pamphlet?”
HR should say to this person what they would say to someone trying to run a MLM business out of the office - "No, that's not what we pay you to do here. You're here to work for the company, not some outside interest."
This: “I really dislike when people claim they are being judged unfairly meanwhile judging someone unfairly.” And this: “ This is not how people should be acting and it really bothers me to see other Christian's acting like this.” Just like there are some Christians who push their beliefs on other, some other people do the same thing to them. Stereotyping a whole group based on the actions of a few is unfair. People learn a lot being open to hearing other points of view. I have had great conversations with people of other faiths (or lack).
Why not be "one of those" atheists who stands up for the law and for those who feel silenced by whatever it is that's wrong with Georgia? After all, she's being "one of those" Christians bullying people and trying to get involved into their most intimate lives. Most Christians feel their hearts sinking when someone pulls something like that because it's hypocritical. It's costly signaling. If she really wanted to convert people, she would use a tactic that hasnt been shown to alienate people. She's just making sure people know she's Betty Bowers, she has no interest in actually welcoming people to Jesus.
Likely for the same reason lotsa women want a witness when they breakup with a man: because they’re scared of what might happen to them if he’s angry. (I know that’s why *I* don’t stand up for us for many things, and not just religion.) Maybe if I could do it along with three Christians (the good kind!) I might feel more compelled. (Unfortunately, the two most epically-excellent Christians i know are far away in different states. 😰) Maybe if we ever get the US government straightened out (something that looks less and less likely to happen in my lifetime 😞), there could be legislation against people pushing their religion (or other agendas, like anti-vax, homophobia, etc) on others. I’d wanna call it the “Live and Let Live” law, or the “Leave People the Hell Alone! 😀” law. Sigh. A girl can still dream. (Right?)
Load More Replies...Hope OP got another job. That place sounds hard to take. I would've called out Mrs. Preacher + said, "My religion doesn't require me to wear it like a burden." And I definitely would have told HR, just so they know I was uncomfortable + wasn't going to put up with non-work-related preaching at me.



























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