Need help with a job decision

  • Thread starter Thread starter Lots2Learn
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
L

Lots2Learn

Guest
A few months ago I took a part-time job with a small protestant Christian book/gift store. I felt blessed at the time, because I hadn’t been in the workplace for 9 years and need to supplement our income…blah…blah…blah. And frankly, I was unaware of the anti-catholic attitude in the protestant world.

Anyway, I’m not feeling so blessed anymore. Sometimes, I really feel like I have “crossed enemy lines.” I noticed there were very few Catholic items in the store…and naively thought it was because we have a local catholic store and the store wasn’t trying to take business away from them. Now, I realize that some of our customers find Catholic items offensive and wonder why we would even carry them.

This week I was helping a customer find a bible for her mother. She wanted one that was imprintable because she didn’t want her mom to be able to return it. I thought it was nice that she wanted to help her mom have Gods Word available and helped her find just what she was looking for. Towards the end of her visit she let slip that her mom was Catholic and was trying to get her mom to start reading a protestant bible. I was so upset/mad/offended I could barely finish her transaction. This type of interaction takes place about every 3-4 weeks.

I have thought about quitting but we need the extra cash (I’ve tried to find other things to do for income…i.e. babysitting, mlm) and I thought by staying there I could be a beacon of light for any catholic customers that come it.

I really am back and forth w/my decision. Hearing someone elses view, might help.

Lori
 
Lori-

I think it’s ok, but is you are feeling uncomfortrable about it, perhaps you could look again for another job?
 
Have you considered that perhaps God put you here to witness to people such as this? To maybe reveal your own faith and answer to some of their assaults against Christ?

If you are fired for it you will be rewareded in Heaven, and then your decision is made. But if you change hearts…just think of the souls that could be brought to Jesus!

You are in a Christian store…which by definition gives you LICENSE to speak for the Lord since you are not govered so much by secular rules of etiquette and law.

While the law is still there, in this case it protects you. You are facing harassment in yoru workplace, and you have not only a duty, but a LEGAL RIGHT to defend yourself and your faith. And it can be a lesson to the anti-Catholic that they would do well to curb their tongues and open their ears.

Do your employers know your faith?

What are the rules of your workplace?

Do you wear some sign of your faith, such as a crucifix versus a cross?

You have a right to be Catholic, you have a duty to proclaim your faith and in the face of hatred…you will recieve graces and the backing of Heaven.

I say remain where you are, give this cross back to Jesus and let the Holy Spirit work!

And keep us updated! I am dying to know what comes of this so called dilemma!

Just as an example: this last winter/spring I struggled in my work, too. And quitting was not an option. Everything was going downhill, management was changing, etc., and when I went to adoration, Jesus told me it would get worse before it gets better. It got worse immediately. And it’s gotten worse in different ways as well.

But here’s what he did: I realized I may be called to religious life and this trial was necessary to make me understand this; my new manager’s parents met while his father was in the seminary and his mother was in the convent (obviously no perpetual vows), and his mother has a huge devotion to JPII. I was able to express to him my possible Vocation and I gave him several Miraculous medals which were blessed by JPII. Furthermore, my entire team has falled apart, left, or got promoted, so I am suddenly his most tenured rep. Where I thought I was about to be fired, those who were my “enemies” have compelely left my management structure due to reorganization and my talents have been raised up.

God will do even more with you in this position than he has done with me in mine, because yours has a direct effect.

Can you see the possibilities? And what’s teh worst case scenario? That you are fired? Big deal…you’re unhappy anyway,and when you act within God’s will, he will provide the next job. The best case scenario? God will use you to open the eyes of those who are blind, and they will find Him.

I will pray for you!
 
I think you will run into people who drive you nuts at every job - especially working with the public! At least your boss at this place is a Christian and wouldn’t ask you to lie - hopefully? You can’t expect a Protestant Bookstore to carry a bunch of Catholic stuff - they are only going to carry stuff that sells & I bet most Catholics shop at the Catholic Bookstore you mentioned.

When that woman made the comment about her mother, I think I would’ve smiled sweetly and said, “Oh I’m sorry you feel that way… I’m Catholic and I have a wonderful relationship with my Savior.” (Sometimes you have to speak their language) That woman is just worried about her Mom’s spiritual life and, probably in ignorance doesn’t know that she’s worrying for nothing. I agree - maybe God put you here so you could share your Catholic Faith when it comes up. Do you wear a crucifix or a metal? That might be a good clue and keep people from making insensitve comments?

Just my opinion… 🙂
CM
 
I can definately help you on this one. Twelve years ago when I was in nursing school, I needed to work on my permit before I took the state boards-well, you guessed it, the only job was at a Methodist Nursing Home. I am still there, and think of it as being on the front lines helping people that are not Catholic to understand and to give spiritual support to the Catholics (and there are many) who are not in a spiritual nurturing environment. It would be a lot easier to work in a Catholic environment, the blessings I have recieved are far too numerous to mention. Blossom where God puts you, if he wants you somewhere else, you will know-keep praying and God Bless you for your work!!
 
Maybe you should inquire at all the local Catholic Churches - they have paying jobs, if nothing is available now by networking and getting to know people you could find yourself at the top of the list when an opening appears. Also, how about charities, Catholic bookstores, other places whose mission aligns with your beliefs?

Good luck and God bless you!
 
If a Catholic is an employee of a protestant bookstore, they have no business trying to witness their faith on company time if especially if that would harm their employers business by telling someone to go buy a Catholic bible over your employers protestant ones. Even if they sell Catholic bibles, unless the customer ASKED me for a Catholic bible, I would find it unconscienable to try and suggest something other than what they asked for in the first place.
The Church doesnt like infiltrators trying to change her from within in her Church, schools, their own bookstores, etc and I am sure it works the other way for protestants as well. If working for one is that upsetting then quit…but dont try to harm your employers profits by thinking your right to evangelize on their dime is a higher purpose and thus acceptable. God Bless.
 
If the job disturbs you and you’re unwilling to conform yourself to your bosses business plan, you ought to quit.

I can’t believe that you wouldn’t be able to find a job in the big box retail world, in fast service hospitality or in a convalescent home, those kinds of jobs are looking for warm bodies almost everywhere.
 
I knew the responses would give me so much to think about and it certainly has.

JCPhoenix - your reply was so inspiring. My employer was aware of my faith when I interviewed. I wish I would have paid more attention to her response, but oh well. She is a middle aged woman who is very kind and nonconfrontational, so I don’t think she would ever fire me. I am very soft-spoken and nonconfrontational as well, so I can’t imagine ever causing her to be upset with me. I had thought about the possiblity that I was there to be a beacon of light for other Catholics, but never about God using me to speak to others about my faith. I definately don’t feel equipped to represent my faith other than in my actions.

Carol Marie - I like your response to someone who speaks negatively of our faith. I usually just grin and say nothing. I used to wear a crucifix, but the clasp broke and I haven’t had it fixed yet. I think I need to be wearing one though. The lady I mentioned in my original post also bought “Why Do Catholics Do That?” so hopefully once she reads it, she won’t be so determined to pull her mom away from her church.

Rebecca New - Thank you for the reminder to “blossom where God puts” me. I like looking at it that way. And I have been blessed at this job. A couple of weeks ago, I helped a sweet little man pick out a bilingual Catholic bible for his wife and a few days after he picked it up, his cousin came in wanting to order one as well.

awalt - My dream is to work at our local Catholic bookstore. However she is only open about 15 hours a week. I usually spend lots of time browsing there, I may as well work there. She even uses the same inventory program my current employer uses, so I am already familiar with it. Maybe someday…

Catholicrat - I’ll have to read your email a couple more times. I am not comfortable witnessing anyway, so that wouldn’t be a problem and I’m definately not trying to secretly convert anyone…just trying to figure out how I can continue working for my current employer without feeling the dislike for my faith so often. As per the example in my original post, I was helping a customer pick just the right NKJ bible for her mother. I don’t mind helping customers with their needs…it has been very good for my soul to hear the Holy Father talk about focusing on what Catholics and Protestants have in common instead of focusing on our differences. My conflict is hearing negative sentiment towards my faith. And I don’t think I ever implied that I was trying to “evangelize on their dime”. I hope I didn’t give that impression.

Again, thanks everyone for your insight. I knew you would give me something to think about.
 
I’d like to second the sentiments of all those who suggest that God may well be using you to witness to those who are anti-Catholic. No Catholicrat, this is not the same as going out of her way to convert others on her employers dime, or suggesting that she start sending people to the Catholic Bookstore, or suggesting they avoid the KJV Bible.

Rather, when someone makes a disparaging comment, you can ask them to clarify their concern regarding the Catholic Faith, ensure that your entire conversation with anyone, at any point reflect your deep love of Christ and then when they have clarified why they are concerned about the validity of Catholicism (or however they put it) you can comment directly on their preconceived notion, acknowledging that this is not your understanding of what the Church teaches.
God Bless you as you continue to be the loving Child of Christ giving witness to that love among those who have a difficult time believing such is possible with a Catholic.

CARose
 
No, I didnt think she was trying to convert. I was making a generalized statement of a Catholic working for a protestant bookstore. I do agree that if disparaging remarks are made by customers to ask why they feel that way. If the employer does it, good luck trying to a tell a boss anything… before they take that advice as food for thought, their employer mentality will kick in first and look at it as an employee being “cocky”… in that case, better off finding another job if the employer is the one doing so.
 
40.png
Cathlicrat:
If a Catholic is an employee of a protestant bookstore, they have no business trying to witness their faith on company time if especially if that would harm their employers business by telling someone to go buy a Catholic bible over your employers protestant ones. Even if they sell Catholic bibles, unless the customer ASKED me for a Catholic bible, I would find it unconscienable to try and suggest something other than what they asked for in the first place.
The Church doesnt like infiltrators trying to change her from within in her Church, schools, their own bookstores, etc and I am sure it works the other way for protestants as well. If working for one is that upsetting then quit…but dont try to harm your employers profits by thinking your right to evangelize on their dime is a higher purpose and thus acceptable. God Bless.
Click to expand...
It’s one thing to evangelize…it’s another to respond to hatred with education and defense of the Truth.

Our friend is not evangelizing…she is facing a dilemma where her (our)faith is being attacked. She does not need to sell Catholic items or redirect the buyer to items that correspond with Catholicism. She only needs to stand up and correct any misconceptions, which may open dialogue.

I fail to see how standing up for one’s rights in the workplace is harmful to an employer’s profits. Perhaps you don’t really understand the scenario?
 
40.png
Cathlicrat:
No, I didnt think she was trying to convert. I was making a generalized statement of a Catholic working for a protestant bookstore. I do agree that if disparaging remarks are made by customers to ask why they feel that way. If the employer does it, good luck trying to a tell a boss anything… before they take that advice as food for thought, their employer mentality will kick in first and look at it as an employee being “cocky”… in that case, better off finding another job if the employer is the one doing so.
Click to expand...
I thought is was a “Christian” bookstore. Catholics are Christians.
 
40.png
Cathlicrat:
If a Catholic is an employee of a protestant bookstore, they have no business trying to witness their faith on company time if especially if that would harm their employers business by telling someone to go buy a Catholic bible over your employers protestant ones. Even if they sell Catholic bibles, unless the customer ASKED me for a Catholic bible, I would find it unconscienable to try and suggest something other than what they asked for in the first place.
The Church doesnt like infiltrators trying to change her from within in her Church, schools, their own bookstores, etc and I am sure it works the other way for protestants as well. If working for one is that upsetting then quit…but dont try to harm your employers profits by thinking your right to evangelize on their dime is a higher purpose and thus acceptable. God Bless.
Click to expand...
It’s one thing to evangelize…it’s another to respond to hatred with education and defense of the Truth.

Our friend is not evangelizing…she is facing a dilemma where her (our)faith is being attacked. She does not need to sell Catholic items or redirect the buyer to items that correspond with Catholicism. She only needs to stand up and correct any misconceptions, which may open dialogue.

I fail to see how standing up for one’s rights in the workplace is harmful to an employer’s profits. Perhaps you don’t really understand the scenario?

It is not acceptable for anyone to have to sit there and have their rights to practice their own religion violated. She did not accept employment on the condition that people would be free to abuse her or her beliefs.

If she were fired for simply stating to an attacking customer that she is Catholic and maybe that person doesn’t understand the relationship we have with Jesus christ, then she could recieve quite the wrongful termination settlement.

But then again, look whose running our courts… :rolleyes:

I stand by what I stated…she has the right to defend herself, and this is NOT on par with what you seem to think “evangelization” means.
 
40.png
Lots2Learn:
This week I was helping a customer find a bible for her mother. She wanted one that was imprintable because she didn’t want her mom to be able to return it. I thought it was nice that she wanted to help her mom have Gods Word available and helped her find just what she was looking for. Towards the end of her visit she let slip that her mom was Catholic and was trying to get her mom to start reading a protestant bible.
Click to expand...
Response:
“That’s really a good idea. Our priest recommends having several different translations of the Bible on hand to contrast during our Bible study.”😃
 
Lots2Learn,

I have to share this with you. You don’t need to use words to express what you believe. I heard the following on Relevant Radio:

A woman was a volunteer at a Jr. High and she was working in the hallway outside of a history classroom. Inside, a teacher was talking about the Inquisition.

She repeated to her students several times in reference to the Crusaders: “They were willing to die for their faith…who does that remind you of?”

Finally, a student offered, “9/11?” “Terrorists”?

The teacher responded, “Exactly” and went on from there.

The woman, a Catholic, went to the open classroom door and stood where only the teacher could see her. The teacher looked at her and the moment she did so, the Catholic woman simply crossed herself and returned to her work.

Do you realize what a POWERFUL statement she made with a simple sign of the cross? She stood in the face of the hatred preached by the misguided teacher and proclaimed her faith silently yet in a very direct manner.

I have no idea what that meant to the teacher…but as I listened to the story, I became inflamed and I still think back to the power of that simple witness.

A good friend of mine from work, incidentally a Protestant pastor, once told me, “You never know who’s watching you…you never know who you influence.” He and I used to have many theological discussions, mostly regarding points upon which we agreed. Yet we are of different faiths and he once commented to me how much our conversations meant to him.

I have not converted him, nor will he ever convert me…but you will be amazed a the differenc you can make simply by making a quiet expression of faith.
 
I think that’s brilliant JC. As I was reading the story, my blood began to boil and I couldn’t think of what I’d say or do in a similar situation. The sign of the cross was perfect.

CARose
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top