How do I deal with Protestant Co-Worker?

[JRKH]

How do I deal with a Protestant co-worker who insists on evangelizing me while at work??? I know that St. Peter said that I should always be ready to give an explanation of my faith to everyone, but I’m still learning. I feel that this co-worker isn’t necessarily evangelizing me, but more like attacking my Catholic faith. The topics he insists the most are on salvation, the Virgin Mary, and praying to saints. Sometimes I feel I give him great answers but then he leaves, I imagine he does some reading and comes back with something else

Actually my advice is to just keep giving him “great answers”. Make him go and look things up. Dismantle his arguments a little at a time. Get him tracts to read etc…

Peace
James

 

[OraLabora]

And as an HR professional, I second this. Also, you should not be responding in kind, that makes you just as much in the wrong as he is.

And I third it. I was in that situation when I came back to the faith 18 years ago. In hindsight, I should have simply treated it got what it was: harassment.

Tell him politely to stop. If it doesn’t, tell him firmly and that if he doesn’t stop, you will take it to the supervisor and HR. If they don’t do anything, they could face a lawsuit or in Canada, be hauled in front of the Human Rights Commission. Really bad for “the brand” if it goes that far.

 

[Neofight]

I had a similar thing happen where I worked.

It turned into a game of “stump the chump”, and expanded from a nondenom evangelical to a fallen away Catholic who joined a fundy church, a Pentecostal, and a (non practicing)Jew.

Instead of arguing and condemning each other for our beliefs, we started a lunchtime bible study. We actually discussed the daily mass readings, and explained our thoughts and the theology from our faith traditions that applied to the readings.

We came to be close friends (even the Pentecostal, who’s mother was a Pentecostal minister of sorts, called me his “older Catholic brother”, and he would tell me when his mom agreed with what I shared (and when and why she didn’t)…but it was always respectful, and WE NEVER TRIED TO CONVERT EACH OTHER, rather we just tried to respect and understand each other, even if we could not accept the beliefs of each other.

This group met several years ago, we have since gone separate ways, but we still stay in touch, and are good friends.

I’m sure this relationship was guided by the Holy Spirit, so pray for guidance, and perhaps you two will realize you each have the same love for Jesus Christ, but just have some theological differences.

 

[getysbg]

This is a chance for evangelism, an opportunity to invite him into the fullness of faith. Perhaps you are talking to the next “Tim Staples”.

Speaking of Tim Staples, he has produced an excellent CD entitled “The Bible Made Me Do It” and it is put out by Lighthouse Catholic Media. I keep several on hand and ask them to listen and respond. Also, over the years, I have taken to heart twelve of the most important words for an apologist - " I don’t know but I’ll find out and get back to you." Trust me, you CAN do this and perhaps you will come to enjoy these oportunities to share the joy that is within you!

 

[coachdennis]

You and I have differing opinions on this. Everywhere is an appropriate place for discussing your faith for a Christian. As Christians, our faith is undifferentiated (or should be) from who we are. It effects all that we say, think or do and as such can’t really be separated. It doesn’t mean we go about proselytizing everywhere, but as a natural part of our conversations it will come up. (It is the same with pagans and atheists btw).

But it is not ok to be abrasive or to push it on people who would rather not hear it.

If it is not part of your job function it is NOT appropriate during working hours. The employer is paying employees to do their WORK, not discussing other things. On break time and lunch hour workers do not have to be subjected to the unwanted and unwelcomed opinions.

 

[Neofight]

If it is not part of your job function it is NOT appropriate during working hours. The employer is paying employees to do their WORK, not discussing other things. On break time and lunch hour workers do not have to be subjected to the unwanted and unwelcomed opinions.

I find the second sentence potentially troubling…there is a vast difference between subjecting someone to opinion and evangelization. Lunch and break time is a very appropriate time for evangelization; however, if those we are reaching out to object, I agree, it should be curtailed to appease the desires of the individual taking offense.

But, to simply say you shouldn’t do it, is equally as wrong.

 

[coachdennis]

I find the second sentence potentially troubling…there is a vast difference between subjecting someone to opinion and evangelization. Lunch and break time is a very appropriate time for evangelization; however, if those we are reaching out to object, I agree, it should be curtailed to appease the desires of the individual taking offense.

But, to simply say you shouldn’t do it, is equally as wrong.

What I wrote is On break time and lunch hour workers do not have to be subjected to the unwanted and unwelcomed opinions. The key words are unwanted and unwelcomed. If these are the circumstances any individual has the right to request it to cease and then go to a higher authority if it continues. This goes for any speech including unwelcomed and unwanted evangelization attempts by others. I stand by this.

Likewise the time I said it was clearly inappropriate was while individuals are “on the clock”

 

[Rosebud77]

A dear lady Nun in habit once got backed up against the potatoes in a large supermarket by a very bumptious Baptist pastor after he had ranted some aimed at the Catholic church and its teaching while she was trying to do her shopping. She looked him full in the face and said, with great quietude, " There is only Jesus…"It closed him down totally …nothing he could say without denying Christ. He and He alone is our Lord and Life. Against that who can argue? A young friend Protestant once started asking me what it was in my beliefs that identifies me as Catholic. Look, I said, you know there are differences but let us focus on what we have in common… Jesus. She actually then attended a Mass and was surprised that it was Scriptural. Quiet ways of peace.

 

[Brianmcg321]

How do I deal with a Protestant co-worker who insists on evangelizing me while at work??? I know that St. Peter said that I should always be ready to give an explanation of my faith to everyone, but I’m still learning. I feel that this co-worker isn’t necessarily evangelizing me, but more like attacking my Catholic faith. The topics he insists the most are on salvation, the Virgin Mary, and praying to saints. Sometimes I feel I give him great answers but then he leaves, I imagine he does some reading and comes back with something else

Easy, report him to the HR department. It will end pretty quick after that.

 

[Indigo_Cardinal]

You and I have differing opinions on this. Everywhere is an appropriate place for discussing your faith for a Christian. As Christians, our faith is undifferentiated (or should be) from who we are. It effects all that we say, think or do and as such can’t really be separated. It doesn’t mean we go about proselytizing everywhere, but as a natural part of our conversations it will come up. (It is the same with pagans and atheists btw).

But it is not ok to be abrasive or to push it on people who would rather not hear it.

You may have a different opinion, but it should be noted several people versed in the legalities of these situations have also advised that these topics need to be avoided lest problems in the workplace arise as a result.

 

[otjm]

You and I have differing opinions on this. Everywhere is an appropriate place for discussing your faith for a Christian. As Christians, our faith is undifferentiated (or should be) from who we are. It effects all that we say, think or do and as such can’t really be separated. It doesn’t mean we go about proselytizing everywhere, but as a natural part of our conversations it will come up. (It is the same with pagans and atheists btw).

But it is not ok to be abrasive or to push it on people who would rather not hear it.

You may be of a differing opinion, but the courts are not; and this behavior is one short road to the pink slip.

If the OP and the co-worker want to discuss this off the clock, they are indeed welcome to do so. On the clock, they are not being paid to evangelize, period. They are being paid to work.

Further, should one wish to pursue it while on the company’s property, they risk finding themselves permanently off the company property.

 

[Kal2012]

Politely advise him that work is not an appropriate place for religious discussions/evangelism. (I am presuming that you are not working in a religious-based business.) Advise him if this continues, you will have to take this to your boss, and if need be, to HR. Do not engage in likewise behavior yourself.

I agree with this.

I’d say something like, “I appreciate that you are commanded to share the gospel, but I’m already a Christian. I prefer not to have religious discussions at work.”

There’s a difference between discussing your faith, in a non-judgmental way, and actively trying to convert you.

 

[JRKH]

Lots of great replies so far…

While I don’t disagree with the option of using HR - ala hostile work environment - as a way to end the discussion, I think it needs to be a last resort.

People talk about non-work related subjects all the time, from family to sports to politics to news stories. Very rarely do these things ever rise to the level of needing the intervention of HR.
Faith discussions need not be any different - - again, I’m speaking in most cases. There can always be a case where a person is obnoxious and totally inappropriate.

If you really do not wish to have these conversations, tell them so. If the person is not really obnoxious (just zealous) you might offer to have off site conversations, or an e-mail exchange. You might have brief interaction at work - exchanging reading materials and such, but limit the serious conversations to other places / venues.

Just some thoughts.

Peace
James

 

[LoveMorrissey]

It sounds like your faith is being attacked. I’ve had to put up with this in the past when I was accused of being a member of a church that prayed to Mary and undermined God.

This led me to learn more about my faith and have answers at the ready. When I did so, the bully didn’t have a leg to stand on. I forgive him because he was just a wind up merchant. He pretended to be a “God fearing Protestant” but he never went to church. Such is the problem of sectarianism in the West of Scotland.