Pro-life cause and workplace

[TheRealJuliane]

Agree with the above, however one can certainly have more general items that would show one’s faith and others can draw whatever conclusion they like about the person’s political views.

Peace
James

Even that, I would stay away from. Crucifixes, holy water fonts, etc. - Every advice I have ever read says to keep the work area as impersonal as possible, and I agree. The workplace is just that - a job, focused on getting work done, not evangelizing. I would NOT want my supervisor, for example, and a woman who has had an abortion (or more than one) to have the idea that I am “one of THOSE people” who yell at women like her outside of an abortion clinic. Even though she would be very wrong about the goal, she already has that image in her mind, and when it’s time for my performance review, guess what is going to hold sway?

It is not helpful to the mission of the company, just as having gay pride stickers all over your cube is also not helpful. We can shine our light by living as joyful Christians without advertising it in a blatant way.

 

[JRKH]

Even that, I would stay away from. Crucifixes, holy water fonts, etc. - Every advice I have ever read says to keep the work area as impersonal as possible, and I agree. The workplace is just that - a job, focused on getting work done, not evangelizing. I would NOT want my supervisor, for example, and a woman who has had an abortion (or more than one) to have the idea that I am “one of THOSE people” who yell at women like her outside of an abortion clinic. Even though she would be very wrong about the goal, she already has that image in her mind, and when it’s time for my performance review, guess what is going to hold sway?

It is not helpful to the mission of the company, just as having gay pride stickers all over your cube is also not helpful. We can shine our light by living as joyful Christians without advertising it in a blatant way.

I respect that - and even agree to the extent that one should not seek to be provocative or uncharitable.

That said though, I see no problem with having items in one’s cubicle that are there for personal reasons. For example - I mentioned above that if one has pictures of family certainly a print of our Lord, (Sacred heart or whatever) would not be out of line. Likewise keeping a small crucifix or a rosary near to your keyboard can help one to “keep God before them” in their daily work.

Add TO this what you say about, “shine our light by living as joyful Christians”, through our daily interactions and I really doubt there will be much problem…

But that is just my opinion…The OP can make up his/her own mind based on the particulars of their particular work situation.

Peace
James

 

[Norseman82]

I guess I’m fortunate - I work in an industry that is not Obama-friendly, and my two coworkers are both conservative Catholics and, like me, of Polish descent.

Does anyone else here keep pro-life memorabilia on their desk?

No, but I did have a picture of Pope John Paul II holding a hockey stick (which would have been chalked up to my hockey hobby).

 

[benjohnson]

Such as? 40 Days for Life placards? Fetal life models? March for Life signs?

I Agreed that wound’t be wise… But photos of your joyous children or cousins are good propaganda too.

If you have a family, then if you share your life with others, they can begin to see that chidden are a blessing and not a burden. My three well behaved sons are so joyous that I’ve had several people say that “they didn’t want children until I met them.”

 

[Iheartcoffee]

I avoid discussions of religion and politics at work. I think 99% of the time it is unprofessional for people of any religion or political belief to discuss these things in the average, secular workplace.

 

[cmscms]

I would NOT want my supervisor, for example, and a woman who has had an abortion (or more than one) to have the idea that I am “one of THOSE people” who yell at women like her outside of an abortion clinic. Even though she would be very wrong about the goal, she already has that image in her mind, and when it’s time for my performance review, guess what is going to hold sway?

.

That is a VERY good point. I have know women for years before I ever knew they had an abortion before we met and never would have guessed it.

As for religious items, there is a cross around my neck and that is all I do. One guy told me to not wear it on an interview because it is too much information. So I put it in my purse because I still want it with me. As for having the saying ‘choose life’ up at ones desk… to be honest depending if there is a picture with the words, I probably would think it was one of those positive saying things and had nothing to do with abortion

CM

 

[SilverLight]

I was told that there is a time and a place work is not the time or place to talk religion or politics.

 

[JRKH]

I was told that there is a time and a place work is not the time or place to talk religion or politics.

Of course in all of this it might depend on just what the workplace IS. For example - in a newsroom it’s pretty hard to avoid talking about religion and politics…

Also - in a more general sense and in most workplaces, break times and lunch times are our own and if we choose to discuss matters of faith and/or politics among our peers and friends…So be it.

Peace
James

 

[LemonAndLime]

Sorry you were confused by my reply…
You had asked:
Do any pro-lifers work in a heavily secular environment where people are heavy Obama supporters? What do you do? Would you correct your boss if he assumed you supported Obama and risk getting on his bad side?
I simply said that - If your boss brings it up, and asks you a question about Obama - you need to respond with truth. To do otherwise is to lie. Which do you prefer…being on the boss’s “bad side” or being on Our Lord’s “bad side”?

Why does it have to be either/or? And I don’t think God is going to be offended if you say to your boss “I’m sorry, but I do not feel comfortable discussing politics.”

Refusing to answer is NOT lying. I think you are putting unnecessary and risky pressure on somebody by suggesting that and I feel that is completely unfair.

 

[JRKH]

Why does it have to be either/or? And I don’t think God is going to be offended if you say to your boss “I’m sorry, but I do not feel comfortable discussing politics.”

Refusing to answer is NOT lying. I think you are putting unnecessary and risky pressure on somebody by suggesting that and I feel that is completely unfair.

Perhaps you are right.
The OP asked for advice and have gotten quite a bit. It is now up to the OP to take this all in and prayerfully discern what is correct in their particular work situation.

Peace
James

 

[LemonAndLime]

Perhaps you are right.
The OP asked for advice and have gotten quite a bit. It is now up to the OP to take this all in and prayerfully discern what is correct in their particular work situation.

Peace
James

I think you’re correct here, it depends completely on the work situation and where you work.

I work in a hospital. I have to be careful what I say and what opinions I give. We don’t have workspaces/desks which we are encouraged to personalise, everything has to be clinical and professional - and that means leaving as much of your opinions as possible at the door.

Whereas I imagine if you worked for a private business or company you should really try to express views which agree with the company’s ideals, or not express them at all. For example, if you worked for coke you shouldn’t be drinking pepsi at work. Does that make sense?

 

[JRKH]

I think you’re correct here, it depends completely on the work situation and where you work.

I work in a hospital. I have to be careful what I say and what opinions I give. We don’t have workspaces/desks which we are encouraged to personalise, everything has to be clinical and professional - and that means leaving as much of your opinions as possible at the door.

Exactly.

Whereas I imagine if you worked for a private business or company you should really try to express views which agree with the company’s ideals, or not express them at all.

Most private businesses (of any size) generally do not have “ideals” at they relate to politics or religion. Except of course for government regulations that directly affect the business. In such cases, it only makes sense to support that which is good for the company - and your job.Of course smaller companies “mom-n-pops” where the employer - employee relationship is much looser might be a bit different.
That said, in the case of the OP’s question about correcting the boss’s assumption:

1. Telling the boss that you prefer not to talk politics or religion at work is fine so long as that is a truthful statement.
2. If the boss asks questions of employees, in casual conversation, of a political or religious nature, they should be prepared to receive truthful answers even if they disagree with his/her own views. As a boss, I prefer honest employees to dishonest ones.
3. If expressing a view contrary to the bosses view would cause repercussions - well frankly that sin is on his/her head, not mine. That person is not a good boss.

But ultimately - as I said earlier…Evey situation is different. the OP must make the best determination they can based on their particular circumstances.

Peace
James

 

[Lifesong]

I always assume my client base may have a differing opinion and do not bring it up. When asked about my politics I just say “Independent”. Catholic in the Northeast can mean a wide range of things politically and that is not typically an issue but I don’t talk religion. I used to wear my cross as a Protestant and was asked a couple times to take it off. I now wear my Miraculous Medal which I don’t believe most people outside of the Catholic faith really know what it is, though I have had impromptu prayer requests made of me in an elevator recently, and my crucifix cross which is a longer chain and I can tuck it under my clothing if I am afraid it may make too bold a statement. Today the workplace and the world have become so secularized that sometimes I feel like a stranger in a strange land but it is the way it is. I like to think that the best way to witness the faith is through our actions and our love for others- let people wonder why you are different and want what you have.

 

[BlueEyedLady]

Its a sign of maturity, not weakness, to hear someone say something that you strongly disagree with and just let it go and walk away because you realize that it is an inappropriate discussion to have.

Religious and political discussions have no place at work. Period.