Posted on 12/07/2004 6:01:11 PM PST by I got the rope
Well...I tried to do a good thing today. Earlier today I noticed that a secretary in the office was a little down, so I approached her to find out what was the matter. She wasn't happy about all the Christmas decorations or the Christmas Tree that some of the other secretaries had set-up. She is a Jehovah Witness.
She does not celebrate Christmas and she thought the whole idea of a Christmas tree was too pagen. I had to agree with her on this one. I kinda think the same thing.
We spoke half the day off and on and I quickly realized their were huge differences in my Christian beliefs and her beliefs. We discussed the Bible (King James) and her Bible (The New World Translation).
I found her translation very interesting. I was hearing things I have never heard before. Being the die-hard FReeper that I am I quickly quoted refutations to some of her base arguments, but she was always ready with a new topic once I had decimated her arguments with the King James Bible. We discussed the diety of Jesus, the trinity, the Holy Spirit, God's true name, and salvation.
Towards the end she kinda got tired and said she didn't want to discuss it anymore and that she would give me a copy of the New World Translation tomorrow. It was about this time that a die-hard Atheist butted in to the conversation and asked if I was talking about religion. I said, "No...we're talking about Jesus!"
She (the Atheist) went totally ballistic on me. You would have thought I poured Holy water on Dracula or something! She told me that I could not discuss religion or Jesus in the workplace and the she and many others were very uncomfortable with me. She said that if I did not stop she would go straight to the top with this and have them shut me up.
I turned to the Jehovah Witness secretary and said,"If I'm bothering you I'll leave you alone." She looked kinda taken aback and said, "Uhhh...I would rather not talk about this anymore."
The Atheist stormed off and the whole time I'm thinking that this whole "Diversity in the workplace" thing just disappeared as far as I'm concerned. I'm feeling a bit uncomfortable now.
BTW, Atheist-girl helped decorate the Christmas tree and helped stuff the stocking for all the employees with candy. Oh yeah...she also stands about 5'6" and weighs about 300lbs.
Good luck to you.
I think you'll need it.
2. The last time JH came to the door to show me their Bible, there was a picture of a black man and a white man working side-by-side thrashing wheat....I guess their point was the peacefulness of it all. HOWEVER, it was supposed to be a picture of heaven, too. WTF? I told them "I am NOT going to be WORKING in heaven, for cryin' out loud. These people still have to grow their own food?....in heaven?" They left.
Wow, Rope, you are sitting on a multibillion $$$ idea: "We discussed the diety of Jesus..." Do you have an idea of how much would "Jesus' diet" be worth? Copyright it immediately!!!
duh....JH is supposed to be JW....I've had that problem all day.....and not just on the computer!
Fortunately for me, my boss is my father and he's way more religious than I am:)
Whoops! LOL.
You're going to tell your boss you were talking about religion instead of working?
At least the Jehovah Witness was willing to have an intellectual conversation and was open to others opinion. The atheist-lib, true to form...intolerant and hateful.
He's a Christian, but the man above him is not...at least I don't think so.
It was during lunch in the break-room mostly, then small talk.
As opposed to the usual office crap talked about instead of working like how much everyone hates Bush or "reality" shows they watched last night? Or the usual gossip and backstabbing?
Some religion would be preferable.
Question: What Liberal words, expressions or talk would be prohibited in your office?
If your boss has any problems about Christianity in the office, he can talk to this Wiccan. I will be more than happy to explain to the ignorant, the importance of "or prohibiting the free exercise thereof" clause in our Constitution.
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. — The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution
Just hire rodeo clowns to distract Atheist Girl the next time you want to talk (whisper?) about Jesus.
To add to my previous statement. Even though the Jehovah Witness differs from the Christian, at least they believe in something. The atheist lib... in the absence of any belief or value system is predictably angry.
I've always said that I hope JWs never come to my door when I'm trying to put lights on a Christmas tree 'cause I'm afraid I'd be tempted.
Um, don't type anything up for your boss....
Just let it lie as if nothing happened, and it's no big deal. If you go typing things up, it'll be hard to make the "Really? A complaint? Oh, that? Funny, We were just talking and nobody got offended" argument.
And frankly, I'd avoid all but the most basic discussions of religion/politics on the company time. As odd as it sounds, some people, angry liberal athiest for example... live for events like this, it helps justify their sense of persecution.
If you get any hassle from the boss, simply say "Oh, well goodness me, I didn't think we were saying anything to hurt people, we were just talking, etc, etc." And avoid future comparison of workers religions in the workplace
just my 2 cents. Hate to sound so P.C., but this is 21st America, and like I said, Disgruntled Libs wait for the slightest mention of religion or politics to throw a hissy fit.
Give me her address and I'll TP her house.
Should make for an interesting day.
I must put in my two cents. I'm buying a ranch, where the caretaker of the ranch is from Mexico. He lived in Tuxtla Gutierrez, which is in the very southern part of Mexico.
He is pure Indian - with absolutely no Spanish or Christian Heritage. As I was asking him to clean the place up, I asked him if he wanted an artificial Christmas Tree which the former resident left.
He began to tell me in Spanish, that Jesus Christ to him and his people, meant genocide and enslavement. He began to tell me the history of his village, and how when the Spaniards came to convert them to Christians, this meant slavery and forcing them to believe in a new belief that they had no idea about.
He declined to accept the Christmas tree as a gift, and said he doesn't celebrate Christmas. He told me of the village legend where more than a thousand of his villagers jumped off a cliff rather than submit to becoming slaves or forcing them to believe in something they were opposed to.
I was raised Catholic - however, I was unable to respond to the look and emotions he expressed.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.