I think talking politics and religion at work is a bad idea. I've been asked at work a couple of times about my religion and I answer that I'm an atheist and do not discuss anything further. That goes for sharing any other details of your personal life, it's not a good idea.
I understand and agree that the topic of religion and politics are best not shared in a work environment, but my company tends to be a laid back easy going place where people feel free to discuss just about anything. We even have a small devotional group that I take part of. Of course, we've been bought out and are in the process of being merged so this 'laid back' atmosphere is liable to disappear over the course of this year. I'll miss it if it does.
That said, I generally don't go around speaking about religion and politics but I do not mind talking about it if the subject is brought up. I try to remain neutral in most cases, sticking with the most objective and logical observations whereever possible.
So .......... If a Catholic becomes a Dub ......... they should not trash Catholics and their doctrines any more?
Or ...... Should they not go knocking on doors telling all and sundry that Catholic doctrines are all from Satan and are designed to get them and their children killed by Watchtower god some time in the next few weeks/months/years/decades/how long is it?
I know, funny how witnesses cannot see this. They have no problem what-so-ever in pointing out the flaws in other churches and other religions but when someone points out the flaws in their's, they always have excuses. We're imperfect, that's old light, etc, etc.. I was open enough to listen to them and even agree with them on points that I thought they were correct about, but they constantly use special pleading when something is applied to them.
The best christians are those who you don't know are christian.
Good point, they live it not talk it or display it.
Whether you believe it or not . . . it's mildly reassuring that's it's Christ who seperates the "sheep from the goats" eh?
Yep, nice to know that either way, men are not the judges.
People would notice the edge of the hidden badge, reach out and turn my lapel to see the badge. It said. Stop Touching Me!
Nice, definitely good for a laugh.
Witnesses talk bad of other Christians all the time. They also talk bad of non-Christians all the time. If they can't leave all those outsiders alone to do their thing, how can they expect others to do it for them?
The more I hear them speak on how in tune with the 'truth' they are and how much closer to the Bible they are compared those churches in Christendom, the more I think to myself, "Wow, they sure seem to have a great deal of pride in their beliefs. Isn't that a bad thing?"
Why did she insist on "giving a witness" in the interview? Because this is what suited her world-view, of course! She was living her beliefs, and "giving a witness" wherever she went. A hundred points towards her heavenly reward. Somewhere in her belief system, however, she missed the lesson on listening and observing.
Yes, I think you nailed it. It seems like people who go out of their way to insert 'praise the Lord' or some other Christian phrase in their everyday conversations seem to do so thinking that God is watching and is scoring some 'brownie points' with the man upstairs. Almost as if Christians believe that doing so made them look more spiritual or may help them earn their ticket to Heaven or something. Something you would expect Jehovah's Witnesses to do.
My mother-in-law did something like this at an Aquarium in (or near) Atlantic Beach, NC. She would look at all the the different creatures swimming in the various tanks and go, "Isn't it wonderful how Jehovah can make such wonderful creatures?" She was even doing it around some of the people who worked there while they were explaining what the creature was, how they lived, eat, swam, etc.. I think even her husband was a bit uncomfortable with her doing that. I guess Jehovah gave her 1,000 points that day, with an addition 500 bonus points for making even her MS husband uncomfortable. Plus she could count it as FS time and score points with the FDS. She's batting a thousand there.
Christianity has become more about saying things than doing things. Practical things.
Agreed.
Customers who "praise jesus" or tell me to "have a blessed day" aren't trying to be obnoxious.
Agreed, the 'have a blessed day' does not rub me as badly though since I believe that even though it tends to be a Christian phrase, I can imagine a witch saying something similar. Blessed Be.
Being a Christian myself, I do not get as offended at the occasional Christian remark. In some cases, I can appreciate the zeal they have especially if it seems genuine. I guess when they go overboard and try to insert it in situations that don't seem to call for it (like in jgnat's example or the example I gave concerning my MIL) is where I think the line should be drawn. But I guess each person has his or her own threshold.
Example: "Jesus told me to look for a certain book_________, do you have it?"
"Maybe I should step back and let Jesus show you where it is!" (spoken with a sweet smile, I might add)
Does this really work? No. I am being transferred to the HISTORY section next week :)
Now that's funny! I can imagine that person feeling VERY awkward and if prone to anger the first to complain to your boss.
