How to evangelize at work without breaking rules

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Had a co-worker tell me today she is becoming Jehovah’s Witness and she believes there is no hell and that Jesus is not God, just the son of God. I told her I believe in the trinity and in hell. She said God doesn’t create people just to burn them and went back to her desk.

Now, I don’t believe this will be an issue. Just curious as to what is the best way, if asked, to share the Catholic faith, without getting in trouble. Remember, I’m at work and I am the ONLY Catholic in my office. Thanks. 🙂
 
total_Catholic said:
Had a co-worker tell me today she is becoming Jehovah’s Witness and she believes there is no hell and that Jesus is not God, just the son of God. I told her I believe in the trinity and in hell. She said God doesn’t create people just to burn them and went back to her desk.

Now, I don’t believe this will be an issue. Just curious as to what is the best way, if asked, to share the Catholic faith, without getting in trouble. Remember, I’m at work and I am the ONLY Catholic in my office. Thanks. 🙂
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Sometimes it’s more important to do work at work and provide for your family without taking risks with your job by making waves. Having said that, it’s not always forbidden. Just don’t place evangelization above your responsibilities and duties to your family.

If they bring it up… hash it out politely and charitably when you can. Don’t go for any verbal checkmates, but provide thoughtful responses. One of the best arguments I’ve heard toward JW is to challenge them on the false end of the world prophecies in the Watchtower’s history.
 
I would ask, why do all these miracles only happening in this church? I would reference Fatima, Guadalupe, Lanciano, the number of incorrupt saints, etc. I would simply ask,….is someone trying to tell me something?

Of course, recognized miracles also happen in the Eastern Orthodox Church,……but the question remains. Of course, a protestant can’t answer that or will come up with some miracle that cannot be authenticated. 👍
 
total_Catholic said:
Had a co-worker tell me today she is becoming Jehovah’s Witness and she believes there is no hell and that Jesus is not God, just the son of God. I told her I believe in the trinity and in hell. She said God doesn’t create people just to burn them and went back to her desk.

Now, I don’t believe this will be an issue. Just curious as to what is the best way, if asked, to share the Catholic faith, without getting in trouble. Remember, I’m at work and I am the ONLY Catholic in my office. Thanks. 🙂
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polite discussions with your co-workers is not breaking rules.

it’s a thornier issue if your job involves children though.

or maybe if you started plopping copies of bibles or catechisms on everyone’s desk. I could forsee some problems in that case
 
I definitely would AVOID all discussions about politics and religion at work, if you want to maintain a calm stressfree work environment.
 
If she began the conversation there should be no problem. If she asks you to stop discussing it, then it would be wise to do so.

That said, you might suggest reading the Gospel of John together and discussing. It kind of puts it out there who Jesus is. You would probably want to research the New World Translation of the chapter you are about to read so as to know where the translations differ.

Google is your friend to find more information.
 
Strydersroom said:
I definitely would AVOID all discussions about politics and religion at work, if you want to maintain a calm stressfree work environment.
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Agreed. I’ve specifically told coworkers I don’t discuss those topics at work. I would suggest not evangelizing at work at all. In fact, if she brings it up, just say you don’t discuss such things at work. If asked, I say I’m Catholic. If they say they’re atheist or whatever, I say “okay” and talk about something else.
 
total_Catholic said:
Had a co-worker tell me today she is becoming Jehovah’s Witness and she believes there is no hell and that Jesus is not God, just the son of God. I told her I believe in the trinity and in hell. She said God doesn’t create people just to burn them and went back to her desk.

Now, I don’t believe this will be an issue. Just curious as to what is the best way, if asked, to share the Catholic faith, without getting in trouble. Remember, I’m at work and I am the ONLY Catholic in my office. Thanks. 🙂
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Prudently preach when God gives you the opportunity. I have had the best religious discussions with the people at my work. I would send her “The Fewness of those whi are Saved” by St.Lawrence. And remember, there are people who want to take God out of the workplace, preach boldly and Don’t fear!
 
Depends where you work - if you’re working for the public sector/government agency, it’s inadvisable.

I think the best way is to reference your faith when you can so that people know you are Catholic, and then just be a good, supportive and friendly co-worker.
 
Strydersroom said:
I definitely would AVOID all discussions about politics and religion at work, if you want to maintain a calm stressfree work environment.
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Agreed. These things have a way of escalating and never seem to turn out well.
 
StudentMI said:
Agreed. I’ve specifically told coworkers I don’t discuss those topics at work. I would suggest not evangelizing at work at all. In fact, if she brings it up, just say you don’t discuss such things at work. If asked, I say I’m Catholic. If they say they’re atheist or whatever, I say “okay” and talk about something else.
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This. And if the person in question keeps badgering you on religious topics, you should go to HR. Laws protect you from harassment in the workplace.
 
Wildkit said:
I would ask, why do all these miracles only happening in this church? I would reference Fatima, Guadalupe, Lanciano, the number of incorrupt saints, etc. I would simply ask,….is someone trying to tell me something?

Of course, recognized miracles also happen in the Eastern Orthodox Church,……but the question remains. Of course, a protestant can’t answer that or will come up with some miracle that cannot be authenticated. 👍
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This may not be the best tactic – even Catholics are not required to believe these are authentic.
 
total_Catholic said:
Had a co-worker tell me today she is becoming Jehovah’s Witness and she believes there is no hell and that Jesus is not God, just the son of God. I told her I believe in the trinity and in hell. She said God doesn’t create people just to burn them and went back to her desk.

Now, I don’t believe this will be an issue. Just curious as to what is the best way, if asked, to share the Catholic faith, without getting in trouble. Remember, I’m at work and I am the ONLY Catholic in my office. Thanks. 🙂
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What* are *your work’s rules regarding this? We can’t really say for sure what will or won’t get you into trouble. That depends on a wide variety of factors.

In justice, you and the other employees owe your employer an honest day’s labor. Depending of the type of work you do, there may not be much time for extended discussions of any type. I think you did fine to respond when someone brought the topic up by identifying yourself as a Catholic and expressing your believe in the Trinity without much further discussion. If people want to talk more with you, you could invite them to continue talking at a lunch away from the office or after work. (If they seem interested, you could even invite them attend Church with you during non-work hours.)

There are quieter ways to witness faith.The rest of your behavior at work should align with Christianity, with habits like honesty, integrity and charity. The dress code likely allows jewelry with religious symbols, so a small crucifix or Marian medal could be worn. If your educational background is pertinent to your employment and you attended a Catholic school, you could talk about your school by name. If you are married and/or have children, a photo taken in the Church of your marriage or child’s a Baptism or First Communion on the desk would be another way.

We certainly don’t have to hide the fact that we’re Catholic! Religious faith permeates everything so the way we live our lives should serve as a witness. 🙂
 
Wildkit said:
Where can I find this information? I guess 70,000 people are simply wrong.
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One excellent guide is Fr. Benedict Groeschel’s book A Still, Small Voice: A Practical Guide Reported Revelations. A Catholic is not obliged to believe or practice any private revelations or devotions. We can differ on such things, but of course respect is required.
 
I would suggest that evangelism at work is done first and foremost by the witness we give day in and day out. If we are not light to the world, salt to the earth then our words will have no credibility. Build a friendship and be that beacon.

When it is time for words, especially with someone antithetical to Catholicism, I prefer the method of asking questions to encourage exploration of truth. While some workplaces could make such discussion difficult, I think most would be like anything else in life. Evangelism should not involve a hostile environment either at word or at home.
 
StudentMI said:
One excellent guide is Fr. Benedict Groeschel’s book A Still, Small Voice: A Practical Guide Reported Revelations. A Catholic is not obliged to believe or practice any private revelations or devotions. We can differ on such things, but of course respect is required.
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I may be too practical. Yes, a person is not obliged or forced to believe in private revelations,
"We’re not forced, though, to accept private revelations like apparitions, even though they have been “a tremendous source of grace and spiritual revitalization for the Church,” writes Fr. Benedict Groeschel, CFR, in his book, “A Still, Small Voice, a Practical Guide on Reported Revelations.” But I can see the # of incorrupt saints today, my father was a youngster when Fatima occurred, I see the growth in science through the 1970’s and its significance with Lanciano, but my question simply remains,……is someone trying to tell me something?
 
Wildkit said:
I may be too practical. Yes, a person is not obliged or forced to believe in private revelations,
"We’re not forced, though, to accept private revelations like apparitions, even though they have been “a tremendous source of grace and spiritual revitalization for the Church,” writes Fr. Benedict Groeschel, CFR, in his book, “A Still, Small Voice, a Practical Guide on Reported Revelations.” But I can see the # of incorrupt saints today, my father was a youngster when Fatima occurred, I see the growth in science through the 1970’s and its significance with Lanciano, but my question simply remains,……is someone trying to tell me something?
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I’m just saying that private revelations are not necessarily the best evangelization tool. If you say to someone, “Why are these miracles only happening in the Church?,” they could easily say, “Well, they’re not.” Even Catholics in good standing might say that, and be justified in doing so. I think I would focus more on the presence of Christ in the Eucharist, for example, and what Scripture says – especially for a Jehovah’s Witness.
 
I don’t know if this is relevant but:

Evangelise through actions. If I were to put myself in someone else’s shoes, I would rather see a Catholic carrying out her faith gracefully than a Catholic quoting bible verses.

IMO at workplaces you should just try to avoid it.

Jehovah’s Witnesses are banned in my country, I think, lol. Not sure but my equivalent of this problem is that my Christian friend is so clueless about the religion that she has no idea that Jesus is God, what the bible says, etc. I learnt to just avoid the topic
 
AnnArbor said:
I’m just saying that private revelations are not necessarily the best evangelization tool. If you say to someone, “Why are these miracles only happening in the Church?,” they could easily say, “Well, they’re not.” Even Catholics in good standing might say that, and be justified in doing so. I think I would focus more on the presence of Christ in the Eucharist, for example, and what Scripture says – especially for a Jehovah’s Witness.
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One is twisting words. I did not say, ‘why are these miracles only happening in the Church’, rather the question that cannot be answered by a non-Catholic, ‘why do these miracles only happen in this Church’? Miracles that I can go to Lanciano, Guadalupe, the incorrupt saints,….matters that I can see for myself today. Is someone simply trying to tell me something?

I hope people think about what they believe or want to believe.
 
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