Talking Religion
By Bensen32
@Bensen32 (28658)
United States
October 2, 2019 9:10am CST
Talking religion at work always becomes an issue, maybe it shouldn't. So yesterday a co-worker and I were talking about religion and it really was not a problem at first. We started talking about it cause we were trying to figure out what holiday was on Monday. We figured it out thanks to Google, it was Rosh Hashanah. Being that neither of us are Jewish we were unaware of it.
So once we started talking about the holiday and all the different religious holidays that we could think of. Then we started talking about how neither of us are religious at all and we find it interesting all the different beliefs. We were having a very nice conversation when another co-worker came by my office and then entered and asked why we would be talking about religion at work.
He went on about how it could be offensive to others and it is not a good subject to talk about at work. I let him go on for a minute or two. Neither of us said a thing while he went on. I simply stood up and walked towards the door and he stepped out of my office and I closed the door and returned to my desk. Not a word to him was said and we went back to our conversation.
About an hour later my boss came to me and asked what happened, so I told him exactly what happened and he smile and said well next time can you close your door before he hears you, I don't want him to come crying to me.
I just laughed and went on with my day.
I figure it this way, if your going to be offended when you weren't part of the whole conversation maybe you should stay out of the conversation or politely ask if you can be part of the conversation. Of course this is a newer employee and he, in my opinion, isn't fitting in well.
Hope you all enjoy your day.
8 people like this
8 responses
@JohnRoberts (109841)
• Los Angeles, California
2 Oct 19
We live in a too sensitive a society that is encouraging censorship and suppressing free speech. There is nothing wrong with a logical and reasonable discussion concerning politics, religion or whatever. The offended are those with a problem.
5 people like this
@FourWalls (86583)
• United States
2 Oct 19
@JohnRoberts — there’s a meme on Facebook that says, “How did a generation raised on Family Guy and Beavis & Butthead get so offended by everything?”
4 people like this
@JohnRoberts (109841)
• Los Angeles, California
2 Oct 19
@FourWalls There are numerous hypocritical ironies in today's world.
2 people like this
@Bensen32 (28658)
• United States
2 Oct 19
I couldn't agree with more. I have always thought, a good conversation was a good thing, that is how we learn and grow as a people. Hearing and respecting other peoples thoughts, views and beliefs is a kind of world I want to live in. I don't want to live in a world that censors and suppresses my thoughts and speech and that is offended at everything and everyone.
4 people like this
@Bensen32 (28658)
• United States
2 Oct 19
@vsai2008 I don't think he was literally crying, he was just complaining about us having a conversation. He is new and I'm not sure why he had a problem with it, maybe he didn't agree with us in general, maybe he was looking for something to be offended by. Honestly, I don't know what his issue was and I know it will not change what I talk about here at work.
1 person likes this
@hereandthere (45628)
• Philippines
2 Oct 19
i'm glad your boss understood the situation.
usually, when you overhear conversations, you can sense the tone. but if you already have a chip on your shoulder, then anything will be perceived differently.
1 person likes this
@hereandthere (45628)
• Philippines
2 Oct 19
@Bensen32 i try not to generalize also, but you can't help but notice patterns in people
1 person likes this
@Bensen32 (28658)
• United States
2 Oct 19
@hereandthere LOL, right, it's a new age and I'm not sure I am liking it.
1 person likes this
@Kuttu_007 (1939)
• India
2 Oct 19
No topic is a bad topic untill it abuses or degrades someone... speaking about religion is not a bad topic...
2 people like this
@Nakitakona (59987)
• Philippines
2 Oct 19
That's the usual problem of getting into conversation when they're not comfortable.
1 person likes this
@Bensen32 (28658)
• United States
2 Oct 19
@Nakitakona Of course he didn't need to understand our conversation, it's not like we invited him into the conversation. He could have just kept walking and not got involved in it at all.
1 person likes this
@Nakitakona (59987)
• Philippines
2 Oct 19
@Bensen32 yes that is. He would rather not to bother to avoid misunderstanding.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (86583)
• United States
2 Oct 19
Crybaby. Wonder what religion has that as a sacrament. 
1 person likes this
@andriaperry (118793)
• Anniston, Alabama
2 Oct 19
I am religious and I have no problems with what others believe. I love how you handled that.
I am with John on this one, people are offended to easily especially when they just jump in at the middle of a convo.
I am with John on this one, people are offended to easily especially when they just jump in at the middle of a convo.1 person likes this
@Bensen32 (28658)
• United States
2 Oct 19
I think the funny part is we were not bashing religion just talking about the different religions and all the holidays that there are for the different religions.
I also have no issues wth what others believe, as long as your a decent person I could careless what you believe. Worship a light switch for all I care as long as you are not hurting others and treat people with respect.
