The Jesus Freak in my office... - Writers Forum

Charlie_Eleanor · 06-25-2008, 08:25 PM

So today I did something that I am not sure if I feel good about or guilty about.

A guy I work with has recently been saved. He is young, 19, and pretty immature. Since becoming a Christian he has started talking about his beliefs a lot, so much so that me and a couple of coworkers have become a uncomfortable. He has done such things as praying with customer's over the phone, quoting bible scriptures to customers, and yesterday when I was leaving work he offered to pray with me.

Today, myself and a coworker decided to go to a high level manager of our company and tell her what is going on. I was terrified that they were going to fire him, because he has done some pretty radical things. Thank goodness she is going to try and mentor him instead, and see how it goes.

For some reason I still feel kind of guilty. I have a lot of personal issues against this guy, but I didn't bring anything like that up at the meeting. Used to I would have never said anything, because that would be 'mean'.

Just a strange in occurance in the life of Charlie.

Malone · 06-25-2008, 08:47 PM

If someone prayed at me or quoted bible verses on a technical call, I would no longer do business with that company. That is one of the most un-professional things I've ever heard.

I hate people like that. Fucking morons. Now I sound really intelligent.

Brenda Keesal · 06-25-2008, 08:56 PM

Guilt is a black hole.

Charlie_Eleanor · 06-25-2008, 08:59 PM

I think I feel guilty because I hate the fucking bastard.

And, I just want to make sure I didn't tattle on him to get back at him....but I am pretty confident that is not the issue.

JosephB · 06-25-2008, 09:03 PM

That's absurd. I'd seriously go to management. Of course, if it's a big company, HR has to get involved etc. etc. blah blah.

If he worked for me, I'd give him one chance, and then that would be it.

smilinghelps · 06-25-2008, 09:24 PM

Charlie,

You did the right thing, especially if you didn't bring any of your other issues into it. You DO work for a big (Important) company and they have an image to uphold. You can't have people quoting from the bible to customers or praying with coworkers, spontaneously. There is a time and a place for that, and it's not during work hours.

Now say three Hail Mary's, one Our Father and put $50 in the collection box and all is forgiven, you have been absolved.

Foxee · 06-26-2008, 09:04 AM

Work time is for work and customer service calls are for dealing with issues with the company. This time isn't for discussing religion, helping someone quit smoking, expressing your zeal for saving the spotted owl, or collecting money for lung cancer research even if your mother DID die from it a year ago. (unless one of those is the reason you're manning the phone...no idea what the company is)

I think the boss dealt with it well...guidance, not firing, is probably all the kid needs.

Lost in Some Story · 06-26-2008, 09:14 AM

You absolutely did the right thing Charlie. You only feel guilty because his punishment benefits you. (Well it would have, if he'd been fired.) Nothing will make you banish that guilt better than a couple of beers and a few well timed sacreligious jokes--not on the clock of course.

edropus · 06-26-2008, 09:49 AM

Better you bring it up then a potential customer calls and tells the company that they won't be working with them since their service reps preach religion. You might have just saved the kid his job.

lin · 06-26-2008, 09:55 AM

I think before going upstairs I would have mentioned to the guy that I was considering it and given him a chance to shape up on his own.

On the other hand, I seriously doubt any company would fire somebody for talking their religion (think of the lawsuits and negative ink) but would straighten him out.

Edited: Please do not incite violence against people for their religious views. Thanks, Foxee.

flashgordon · 06-26-2008, 11:45 AM

I don't have any Jesus Freaks where I work, but there are a couple of New Age pagan wiccans, a Swami someone, and a TON of Buddhists. Everyone has beliefs, I just ignore them until I have to bring up some point about how people functioned before their particular religion was invented. That usually makes them leave me alone.

alanmt · 06-26-2008, 11:53 AM

A significant amount of the currently seen general societal negativity toward evangelical fundamentalist christian sects is a direct result of their leaders' failure to instruct their zealous evangelicals in matters of appropriate social, business, and political boundaries and basic courtesy while proselytizing.

I think its a shame.

smilinghelps · 06-26-2008, 12:01 PM

Yeah. What Alan said.

Malone · 06-26-2008, 01:29 PM

I thought the fundamentalists actually did teach the followers how to approach people. I know they encourage the kids to preach to their non-believing school mates. I think they're (all of them, not just kids) supposed to feel when the moment is right, or when God is compelling them to save someone, then strike. I have a feeling that the fundamentalists, not you "normal" religious people, would be quite satisfied with this young man's behavior at work. They definitely hold their responsibility to save others above a customer service job.

lin · 06-26-2008, 01:36 PM

The old "Children of God"... the ones that printed all those bizarre little pamphlets back in the sixties... had one called "Whores For Christ" in which they encouraged young women to use sex as bait to bring guys into the paths of the Lord.