Proselytization Attempts at Work

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A year or two ago, a coworker I was participating in a work-sponsored activity group (a public-speaking group) made an attempt to proselytize me at work. He used an "example" of "B-I-B-L-E", which I considered a pretty blatant attempt to proselytize. I made excuses to avoid further meetings with him and have not had to work directly with him (yet), fortunately, but it's always a possibility in the future. Others think he's a swell guy, but apparently they haven't been deeply insulted by him either. I suppose if I do have to, I'll explain that I can't work with him because I find attempts to proselytize in the workplace profoundly arrogant, disrespectful, and insulting. The "culture" of the workplace leans conservative, but let's face it: The law says a person cannot be fired for their personal religious views, and employees do not need to accept proselytizing as a condition of employment. Long term, the goal is to work somewhere less conservative, but realistically the economy and other matters can complicate just changing jobs at a whim.

How would you guys deal with this?

Tell your co-worker his "Basic Information Before Leaving Earth" is not something you need because you will never actually be leaving here and that he would understand that himself if he did his own reading and thinking rather than just listening to the preachers' drivel.

I think you'd need to explain that example he used further. You might just be confusing someone's language with some deeper ulterior motive. It may not be that he's proselytizing so much as he's assuming everyone is on the same page as him with religion.

not this^

He probably doesn't even realize that he's offended you. If it comes up again, politely explain that you are not interested in what he has to say on the subject and are uncomfortable talking about religion.

This is nothing. During my time in public school (once at a Junior High School, another at a High School) there have been religiously inspired ex-convicts brought in as "motivational speakers". The talks were disgustingly filled with religious drivel.

You have to realize:

1. While with mainline Christianity it is not as emphasized as with Mormons, Scientology, and Jehovah's Witnesses, for many churches and many individuals in churches in general activism - witnessing - proselytization - is a BIG value. Like the people getting signatures to save the whales or talking up global warming. They figure - honestly - that they are doing you a BIG favpr. Who would not want to save a soul - or a whale or a planet?

2. Wrong Planet is not the ONLY place where trhere are people swho have trouble realizing how they are being perceived. I say things having NO idea I am offending. Ditto for a lot of people talking to me. Face it - some people are [unintentionally, of course] jerks. I know I am. If you are not, view us jerks with compassion.

3. The pity of it all is - the best evangelization is done wordlessly. I could name names. People who said nothing - and gave an atheist a queasy feeling they might have something.

4. AND let us all rejoice that we can post on PPR where nobodyt tries to convin ce anyone of anything.

5. Finally - I do not know of anything subtle like putting mouthwash on his desk. But you COULD take him aside and politely point out you are not in the market and would rather not discuss the state of your soul. In which case, if he is in fact reasonable, he might just apologize and confine himself to praying foir you.

If I were in the situation, I would just try to play cool. I don't intend on telling anybody I work with what I believe. If confronted, the plan is to state that I strive to keep my professional dealings professional, and that I would rather share my religious views in private to people whom I think will benefit from the conversation. Finally, I would really not take offense to people who try to proselyte. The big and important thing is to not start a fight, conflict, or do anything that hurts my workplace success.

So true - though it can be irksome when both Robertson in Accounting and Poffenberger in the Legal Department assume I share their incompatible and wrongheaded views on whatever it may be.

It may be, but unfortunately coworkers are a captive audience, and it can be very difficult for them to remove themselves from the situation. It is out of arrogance that the proselytizer believes they're doing anyone a favor: Essentially, they're saying my beliefs are superior to yours and I kind of doubt you've even given it enough thought. It is also somewhat coercive because of the captive-audience element.

This guy is no aspie.

PPR is a forum where people come to debate ideas and beliefs; we're not making working relationships uncomfortable by attempting to impose our worldviews on others and then expecting to work with each other.

I've just been coldly avoiding/ignoring him since I haven't had to work with him directly on anything.

"It is out of arrogance that the proselytizer believes they're doing anyone a favor: Essentially, they're saying my beliefs are superior to yours and I kind of doubt you've even given it enough thought. It is also somewhat coercive because of the captive-audience element."

MOST people think their beliefs are superior. The guy telling me "get some rings and you will pick up girls" My father telling me how to do the dishes. My professor talking up his pet theory. Now me - I will usually let you suffer in your inferior understanding unless you ask, some people though believe they need to improve you.

Captive audience? Do you lose your job if you say - not interested? One job I had a coworker - older guy, so I needed to be polite - tried to recruit me into his pet societal improvement organization. I said no thank you - he shut up.



"This guy is no aspie."

Never suggested he was. Plenty of insensitive unaware NTs out there. You want I should name names?

"PPR is a forum where people come to debate ideas and beliefs; we're not making working relationships uncomfortable by attempting to impose our worldviews on others and then expecting to work with each other"
What you have described did not sound like imposing worldviews. Just say no.

Of course, you could always start a campaign to persuade him to get invoilved in your favorite activist campaign.

I do realize that taking a stance in social interaction can be hard - it is for me. That can leave you powerless and frustrated.

But - unless he is your boss and knuckling under is a condition of employment, you have options.

If he is in fact insensitive and jerky - which is by no means unlikely - there is a agood chance there is someone in administration who could have a quiet talkwith him.