How do I deal with Evangelical Protestants at work, I need some help

[CopticChristian]

which reminds me… a couple of month ago I gave a little piece of paper (a cheat sheet if you wish) to the janitor who has a laminating machinery. He was to laminate it and leave a little hole on top so that I could put it on my chain and always have the food blessings with me until I could say them by heart. He came back and had it all the other way around. It was my fault as he doesn’t read Hebrew so he had the sheet laminated upside down (with the hole on the bottom). So I asked him if he would be so kind to do it once more and just the other way around. His reply “Why are you Jews always making everything so complicated?!” I could have felt offended, but I took it with humour and so I smiled at him saying: “For some reason we always seem to get things upside down” He smiled back and left and laminated it again.

People don’t want to hurt others. It’s not their nature. Bring out what makes them lovable and go for that.

another good response would have been…

You know, I often ask myself that as well…

You know Einstien, with all his workings certainly did not simplify things, and you know with all his formulas and stuff…the guy could not do math well and had others work it out for him…and that is why I needed help and as you might expect, I did not explain it well, I bet Einstien had similar problems with his formulations…what is a Jew to do…?

 

[Nicea325]

I have now two new coworkers being very, very strong evangelicals. I have never brought up my faith to others at my place of employment over the years unless I was asked. These two are really, really anti Catholic and they make no apologies about it. They sneak in remarks any chance they get.

They found out I am Catholic and are making very real efforts to get me into debate/dialogue and I don’t know what to do. They mock the Pope, the Universal Holy Catholic Church and the priesthood and all the sacraments.

I don’t know what to do or not do. I am not educated enough to ‘battle’ with these folks but at some point will have to say something. Help.

Not to worry…relax. Look at it from this point:

Anti-Catholics are always on top Catholics saying this or that or whatever, **evidently they must be attracted to it or threatened by it **or else they would not spend so much time obessed with Catholicsm… Hhhhmmm? There was an individual with the same problem…oh yeah…JESUS!

Think about it.

 

[DebChris]

While I appreciate the many responses telling the OP to get management involved…and I certainly agree that could be necessary…
I suggest that the Christian thing to do is to confront them quietly before bringing in any additional authority. This would be best in keeping with Mt 18:15-16.

Peace
James

It is always best to handle any discomfort we encounter in the workplace at the lowest level possible, before it develops into disagreement and conflict. People from diverse backgrounds make up the workplace. Some can be crude. We can respond to that crudeness with grace.
I have engaged in faith discussions with co-workers, never debates. There must be a certain amount of relational comfort developed first. These discussions must never interfere with work nor be construed as harassment of what the other person believes or does not believe.
I am comfortable in my own Faith and well aware of the misconceptions that others have. Again, learning as much as possible about what the Church teaches becomes the best defense against those who merely repeat what they have heard. .

 

[CopticChristian]

I have now two new coworkers being very, very strong evangelicals. I have never brought up my faith to others at my place of employment over the years unless I was asked. These two are really, really anti Catholic and they make no apologies about it. They sneak in remarks any chance they get.

They found out I am Catholic and are making very real efforts to get me into debate/dialogue and I don’t know what to do. They mock the Pope, the Universal Holy Catholic Church and the priesthood and all the sacraments.

I don’t know what to do or not do. I am not educated enough to ‘battle’ with these folks but at some point will have to say something. Help.

So far, you have been given direction that would cause you to think about what you can do, should do or will do…I have a simplistic approach.

Do nothing.

Do something.

If you do nothing, then what is happening will continue and work will be miserable or you can suffer quietly and offer it up.

If you do something then your choices are many.

Tell your employer and I would imagine that would do little.
Tell them to stop bothering you and I would imagine the results would be the same.

I suggest you continually ask questions to get a handle on who you are dealing with and when you finally decide to do more you will know what exactly you are dealing with.

There is no such thing as uniform Protestant thought…so before you wade into responding you must know from where this thought emanates…

If this were me…I would start with some simple questions. Hey you guys are Christians, correct…you always want to start a conversation by getting agreement. Once they say "yes’…get them to say “yes” to other things…it starts the gears of acceptance in the mind…

Now as Christians, do you believe that the Bible is the Word of God, yes…

May I ask you guys, there is lots out there about the end of time…do you believe in amellianism, postmillinialism or premillianism…this is an information gathering session…and once you have the answer…you will know where these guys are coming from…

Posmillinial=acceptance of Reformed Theology
Premillinial=more likely than not some form of Dispensationalism

don’t spend lots of time here…just cool…this stuff is complicated and change the subject to this…

Do you guys believe that you have to be Baptized…does not matter what they say…sooner or later they will say either yes or no. If they don’t answer directly…repeat what they say and say…but do you believe Baptism should be done…then

Do you believe that babies should be Baptized or not…the answer to this puts them in the category

CredoBaptists
PedoBaptists

and you should know the difference of who they are…

As you keep asking questions you will be narrowing down what it is they believe in and when it is time to engage them you can know how to do that…if you want more questions let me know.

 

[LEMAITRE]

You couldn’t resist the need to put down the two girls that defended their faith, for their partying, drinking and shopping and while going to catholic schools even. My goodness, how perfect are we.
What they do doesn’t change the truths of the Catholic Faith. God Bless, Memaw

How do you know I was putting them down? You were assuming and you know what happens when you assume. That was the only topic of conversation we ever engaged in in our lunchroom, they never spoke about their faith or attendance or lack of attendance at Mass which was why I was surprised by their strong reaction.

I love partying, having more than a few alcoholic drinks and shopping myself.

 

[Patat]

I have an evangelical friend (not co-worker) who likes to challenge me pretty consistently. When I told him that we are both “saved by grace through faith in Christ Jesus” that helped him understand that there is real common ground between Catholics and other Christians.

…

On the other hand, if they have a tendency to be rude about your Catholicism, you might tell them that you respect their Christian faith and that you ask that they respect yours (see top paragraph). If this persists, then go to your boss and HR.

In all of these circumstances… PRAY FOR THEM.

 

[Indifferently]

I have now two new coworkers being very, very strong evangelicals. I have never brought up my faith to others at my place of employment over the years unless I was asked. These two are really, really anti Catholic and they make no apologies about it. They sneak in remarks any chance they get.

They found out I am Catholic and are making very real efforts to get me into debate/dialogue and I don’t know what to do. They mock the Pope, the Universal Holy Catholic Church and the priesthood and all the sacraments.

I don’t know what to do or not do. I am not educated enough to ‘battle’ with these folks but at some point will have to say something. Help.

Stand up for yourself. Tell them to back off, and that the workplace is no environment to mock someone’s beliefs. If it carries on report your supervisor.

 

[Memaw]

How do you know I was putting them down? You were assuming and you know what happens when you assume. That was the only topic of conversation we ever engaged in in our lunchroom, they never spoke about their faith or attendance or lack of attendance at Mass which was why I was surprised by their strong reaction.

I love partying, having more than a few alcoholic drinks and shopping myself. /QUOTE

I got it from your own words. Maybe so, but what you do and what they do away from the
lunchroom had nothing to do with your original topic, so why was it necessary to put that in and then point out they went to Catholic Schools . Sounded like a put down to me. God Bless, Memaw

 

[ufamtobie]

I have now two new coworkers being very, very strong evangelicals. I have never brought up my faith to others at my place of employment over the years unless I was asked. These two are really, really anti Catholic and they make no apologies about it. They sneak in remarks any chance they get.

They found out I am Catholic and are making very real efforts to get me into debate/dialogue and I don’t know what to do. They mock the Pope, the Universal Holy Catholic Church and the priesthood and all the sacraments.

I don’t know what to do or not do. I am not educated enough to ‘battle’ with these folks but at some point will have to say something. Help.

Brian,

Be happy that you are being persecuted for the True Faith

Mathew 5: 10-11Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11Blessed are ye when they shall revile you, and persecute you, and speak all that is evil against you, untruly, for my sake: 12Be glad and rejoice, for your reward is very great in heaven. For so they persecuted the prophets that were before you.

And tell them thanks, for persecuting you, for my Lord says, that my reward will be very great!

I mean what else can you do, punch them in the nose lol you don’t want to stoop to their level. The best way is living your faith to the fullest and by good action, action speak louder than words and perhaps the Lord will use you, to convert them to Catholicism.
Ufam Tobie

 

[mayogirl25]

I have now two new coworkers being very, very strong evangelicals. I have never brought up my faith to others at my place of employment over the years unless I was asked. These two are really, really anti Catholic and they make no apologies about it. They sneak in remarks any chance they get.

They found out I am Catholic and are making very real efforts to get me into debate/dialogue and I don’t know what to do. They mock the Pope, the Universal Holy Catholic Church and the priesthood and all the sacraments.

I don’t know what to do or not do. I am not educated enough to ‘battle’ with these folks but at some point will have to say something. Help.

Go to your Supervisor first and if no help then to your Human Resource department and tell them exactly what you stated above. Document all so you have back-up.

 

[ricofall]

I am not educated enough to ‘battle’ with these folks but at some point will have to say something. Help.

Get educated. You will learn so much more. Start with history from secular sources and go from there. Don’t debate ask them questions to challenge themselves. Questions like :
Why do you believe the bible is the inspired word of God?
Why is Hebrews in the Bible?
Where is the trinity in the bible?

Of course know the answer before you ask. :knight2: Defend and live the faith

 

[mayogirl25]

Go to your Supervisor first and if no help then to your Human Resource department and tell them exactly what you stated above. Document all so you have back-up.

Don’t interact with them, that is what they want. Just go to your Supervisor first and then to HR and report them.

 

[mayogirl25]

Get educated. You will learn so much more. Start with history from secular sources and go from there. Don’t debate ask them questions to challenge themselves. Questions like :
Why do you believe the bible is the inspired word of God?
Why is Hebrews in the Bible?
Where is the trinity in the bible?

Of course know the answer before you ask. :knight2: Defend and live the faith

The poster already said he wasn’t equipped to debate them. Are you throwing this lamb to the lions? Evangelicals are fervent and it appears to me these 2 actors will completely overwhelm the poster. The poster should just report the 2 culprits to his boss and do away with them via that route.

 

[JRKH]

The poster already said he wasn’t equipped to debate them. Are you throwing this lamb to the lions? Evangelicals are fervent and it appears to me these 2 actors will completely overwhelm the poster. The poster should just report the 2 culprits to his boss and do away with them via that route.

I agree with this IF there is no other alternative.
However, I am of the belief that it is better to handle this quietly - as between friends - if possible. Running off to the supervisor will not promote the faith or the OP’s own standing among his fellows.

No one here seeks to throw anyone to the lions. Rather, as many have said (including “ricolfall” who you are responding to) the OP should educate himself. Scripture tells us to be ready to give answer for the hope that is in us. Knowing one’s faith helps to do this.

Now - as others have rightly pointed out - the workplace is not the ideal place to engage in these kinds of conversations. Likewise it has been pointed out that things need to be broken down into manageable pieces to avoid becoming overwhelmed.

Evangelicals often look on Catholics as easy marks, they often believe Catholics don’t know the bible or Christ (and sadly they are too often right). Failing to defend the faith and running to the supervisor will only reenforce that outlook. Taking these people seriously and seeking to engage in reasoned conversation at appropriate times - and then using Scripture in defense of Church teaching - will at the very least give them pause…and something to think about.

That said, it certainly could be that the supervisor and HR would need to become involved…but only as a last resort.

Peace
James

 

[Cat_Herder]

I have now two new coworkers being very, very strong evangelicals. I have never brought up my faith to others at my place of employment over the years unless I was asked. These two are really, really anti Catholic and they make no apologies about it. They sneak in remarks any chance they get.

They found out I am Catholic and are making very real efforts to get me into debate/dialogue and I don’t know what to do. They mock the Pope, the Universal Holy Catholic Church and the priesthood and all the sacraments.

I don’t know what to do or not do. I am not educated enough to ‘battle’ with these folks but at some point will have to say something. Help.

Prove to me that the Catholic Church is the Church that Jesus founded

Click here for more specific answers on the Mass, statues, etc. (below the Boy Scouts crisis stuff).