Managers Promoting Religion 8

[kontiki99]

Has anyone had to deal with a manager promoting religious activities?

What did you do about it?

When I was with a former company, I had a manager suggesting I attend lectures on creation theories.

Later he even gave me a copy of the syllabus of a religious course that he thought I’d find interesting. Actually, I found some of the topics to be a fairly antagonistic towards my own beliefs. This was all unsolicited.

After he gave me the literature, I began to really mistrust and loose respect for him.

I didn't want to make a big legal scene, I thinks it hurts the bottom line.

As I rule, I personally believe that work discussions that aren’t focused on the business don’t add value and are probably best avoided. This includes, flirting, politics and religion.

Ultimately, I did decide that he may have somehow determined that I was some sort of empty vessel with regards to a belief. So, I sent him an e-mail message clearly explaining my beliefs and my personal boundaries with regards to the topic.

The work relation ship was never really the same after that. I’m more convinced now, that the organization had genuine problems with regard to religious favoritism at some levels.

 

[TheTick]

You probably would have been better off continuing to ignore him. Still, it is so plainly out-of-bounds. If you do complain, document everything. Be prepared. A boss with God on his side" isn't likely to be open minded about your beliefs.

I think religion-based harrassment can be worse than other types, as the inflictor somehow feels he has the God-given right to behave as such. I've endured evangelical proselityzing from the same level or below, but never from above. Some can turn quite bitter if they discover you know the Bible better than they do but don't agree with them.

 

[DaveVikingPE]

"Some can turn quite bitter if they discover you know the Bible better than they do but don't agree with them."

Especially those pesky members of the churches that emphasize chruch traditions and teachings over what's in the Bible... I've insulted most of them to the point that those one don't bother me any more...

If someone wants to share their relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ with me, while I'm at work, I have no problem with it. Interrupting me while I'm busy isn't the right way to do it.

That being said, if your boss is "forcing his religion on you" you have a right to complain. If he is GENUINELY denying you a promotion or otherwise "creating a hostile environment" your civil rights might be violated; get a lawyer and sue.

 

[zdas04]

Nothing good could have come from this. You could have possibly gotten your boss to accept that you weren't going convert to his religion, then he'd just persecute you. If you had tried to convert him to your faith, he'd find a reason to fire you.

If you work in a company of more than a few thousand people, a transfer might end the problem. If the company is smaller than that, then the infection will be too far advanced and you did very good to away and be happy that you've avoided being the victum of a holocost or jihad.

"Faith" means "belief without proof", and there are millions of people of hundreds of religions who resent people who don't share their faith--many to the point of revenge and violence. If your boss insists on bringing his faith to work and grinding it in employee's faces, then there is no aspect of the job that is worth the risk of holy retribution for not accepting his "faith".

David

 

[IRstuff]

Hostile work environment is grounds for a suit, if you're interested or needing:

http://www.law.ucla.edu/volokh/harassg.htm

TTFN

 

[JAE]

I have a personal faith that is very important to me, that I take very seriously in my own life. I am also a manager of a small staff. Despite the fact that I am essentially commanded to spread my faith to others, I would never do it in the work environment for two reasons,

1. Using any sort of coercement isn't spreading a faith in God, its intimidating others with power - which is contrary to what I am really commanded to do - to draw others to God (vs. browbeat others to God). I can live out my faith by example in the work place, but once I try to evangelize staff when I should be working I have at once discredited my faith.

2. I have entered into an employment aggreement with my firm to manage my staff in an appropriate way, which includes following the laws of the land which stipulate that I not use my position to leverage my ability to spread my faith. This does not contradict my faith as my faith also commands me to follow the law of the land. I can both follow my faith and follow the law - they are not mutually exclusive.

 

[TheTick]

Tick's take on the Bible and harrassment...

A deal is a deal! Most un-Christianlike to behave otherwise. A workplace conduct agreement counts.
Matthew 20:1-16

Respect your government and laws, including those pertaining to harrassment in the workplace.
Matthew 22:21

 

[zdas04]

JAE,
Your attitude is fortunately not rare in business. Many managers have an intense faith that sustains their life. We are talking here about the tiny proportion of individuals that feel that they have the right to abuse their position of power to draw new people into their beleifs.

A person's faith only becomes an issue in the workplace when either they are pressured to do something contrary to that faith or try to force others into their beleifs. If a manager avoids facilitating either of these reprehensible actions, then the he is free to do his job the best he can.

David

 

[MikeHalloran]

If you don't advertise your beliefs, as I think is appropriate in an engineering setting, some people will indeed perceive you as an empty vessel, and will attempt to, er, fill you, with, er, something.

I think it's best to remain silent, respond with an occasional slight smile, and view their machinations as entertainment.

Religious zealots give up on you fairly quickly.

The KKK was more persistent.



Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[plasgears]

Religious affiliation can sometimes become your undoing. One large aerospace firm I worked in had a strong sprinkling of evangelicals from the big church on the hill overlooking the plant. They no doubt tithed (gave 10%), therefore they felt the world owed them a living. They promoted their own and fired others.

One large church I attended recently in Lansing, MI has a charlatan minister who demanded tithing among all ministers. All musicians, singers, sunday school teachers, etc. were considered 'ministers' and obliged to give 10%. Their ranks were greatly depleted when the rule came into force.

The top guy lived like a king with multiple homes, airplane, and a 'flight school for ministers.' This is how he wrote off the operation of the plane.

 

[ziggi]

As C.Montgomery Burns, of Simpsons fame said:
"Family, friends, religion, these are the three demons you must slay to be successful"

Ahhh life is so much easier and more entertaining when you're an agnostic...even more so when you're an atheist.

 

[dbuzz]

Simply put, it's totally out of order and an abuse of his position as a manager.

 

[ziggi]

dbuzz,
I agree, promoting religion is not for the workplace. However I'm always up for a good rleigious discussion at work, but then again I like to argue abotu almost any point.

 

[Jabberwocky]

Back to the OP - if all he did was hand out a flyer and suggest a lecture then I don't see a problem. People are social animals and would like everybody to do the things they do, preferably with them. Of course you didn't give us full details so there could've been more pressure - if that consititutes an uncomfortable work environment then I think you have more grounds to claim harassment.

Either way this thread is identical to those where people feel persecuted for having long/no hair or having lots of/no tatoos. Corporate culture is just that - a culture - made up of people who have personalities. It's human nature to favor those similar to you and shun "The Other." In any civilized society this favoritism is downplayed or at least subtle.

Anyways, your belonging to the group "Engineer" should trump your belonging to the group "Faithless Heathen" (j/k) while at work. If you're uncomfortable in that environment I don't think it matters if the problem is with the company or all in your head - it affects your performance both ways.

 

[kontiki99]

Thanks everyone for their feedback. I gather it hasn’t been a problem for too many. I tried to ask the question without disclosing any specific personal belief. In my opinion it wouldn’t add value.