I quit my last job, even though I really needed it. It was nice of them to give me the job to begin with, but on my application I said I couldn't work earlier than 1pm on Sundays, so I could always make church. I thought I was being pretty cool to them because a lot of Christians around here won't work at all on Sundays. I was wrong. One manager was angry about it, and talked about it to the employees. Apparently Sunday morning is a busy time. Soon it became a public joke to everyone. And for some reason, people become SO EXCITED to let it be known they don't believe in God, once they find out you do. It became typical discussion for religion to be mocked. That on top of the fact that it was a really crappy job, and I just couldn't take it anymore. Perhaps I should have stayed and tried to let them know or understand me somehow, but mostly I felt pushed in the corner. I know this isn't the most major persecution that has ever happened to anyone, but it stunk.
It's not that minor either though, interesting story, one I have dealt with in several jobs myself as well. Once they find out you are one of God's children, they mob you right on out of there, either forcing you into quitting, or just blatanlty terminating. Interestingly enough, when a stronger animal is around a group of weaker animals, the weaker animals will team up, surround the stronger animal, and mob him or her out of the scene; identify, subjugate, eliminate, much like geese will do to a fox. This is very relevant for today's Christians and can be read about in the book, "Mobbing by Noa Davenport" I recommend you read the reviews for it on Amazon at least. My heart goes out to you with that situation though, as it has kept me out of work for about 8 years now, even though I'm more than willing and able to work. GBU & take care.
I know this isn't the most major persecution that has ever happened to anyone, but it stunk.
In all honesty, it wasn't persecution in the first place. You were not fired for your religious beliefs. It is quite possible that your co-workers were more upset that you insisted upon skipping the busiest shift, which means your co-workers had to pick up your slack. Or maybe they were angry because they had requested that shift off and didn't get it either and were thinking you were asking for special privileges.
People are cruel, and usually people will pick on you for any reason. If they hadn't made fun of your religion, then they probably would have found something else to pick on you for. That's just how people are.
Not to mention, you never did say how you, personally, interacted with your co-workers when they acted this way. I used to work with a woman who was incredibly demanding. She was a Pentecostal and complained to the boss every time she heard a co-worker say a swear word in the ladies' restroom. Every time someone would make a snide remark at her expense, she'd drop to her knees and cry out, "Lord, please forgive these poor lost souls! And thank you for allowing me to be persecuted for your sake. Let me be an example of your love!" She was a total weirdo, not because she was a Christian, but because that's just the way she was.
Sometimes you get what you deserve. Act like a weirdo, get treated like one. I'm not saying that you're a weirdo or that you did anything that comes anywhere close to what my former co-worker used to do, but not being there and not knowing the situation I can't honestly sit here and say, "oh, you poor, poor thing. You were so persecuted." It may be a good thing, though, that you did resign. You shouldn't have to work some place that makes you miserable. I hope you will find a job that is better suited for you.
It's not that minor either though, interesting story, one I have dealt with in several jobs myself as well. Once they find out you are one of God's children, they mob you right on out of there, either forcing you into quitting, or just blatanlty terminating. Interestingly enough, when a stronger animal is around a group of weaker animals, the weaker animals will team up, surround the stronger animal, and mob him or her out of the scene; identify, subjugate, eliminate, much like geese will do to a fox. This is very relevant for today's Christians and can be read about in the book, "Mobbing by Noa Davenport" I recommend you read the reviews for it on Amazon at least. My heart goes out to you with that situation though, as it has kept me out of work for about 8 years now, even though I'm more than willing and able to work. GBU & take care.
I agree with ChristianFriend, I'm really sorry that you had to go through this. It angers me deeply, although it does not surprise me. You don't have to be a weirdo-type of Christian in order to be treated cruelly simply for being a Christian. I am hoping that you find some sort of job that you either don't have to work weekends or Sunday mornings. You would think that this sort of behavior ends after secondary school. Hugs for you.
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Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.
I quit my last job, even though I really needed it. It was nice of them to give me the job to begin with, but on my application I said I couldn't work earlier than 1pm on Sundays, so I could always make church. I thought I was being pretty cool to them because a lot of Christians around here won't work at all on Sundays. I was wrong. One manager was angry about it, and talked about it to the employees. Apparently Sunday morning is a busy time. Soon it became a public joke to everyone. And for some reason, people become SO EXCITED to let it be known they don't believe in God, once they find out you do. It became typical discussion for religion to be mocked. That on top of the fact that it was a really crappy job, and I just couldn't take it anymore. Perhaps I should have stayed and tried to let them know or understand me somehow, but mostly I felt pushed in the corner. I know this isn't the most major persecution that has ever happened to anyone, but it stunk.
Most folks get resentful anytime some special accomodation is made for another. (I'm a nurse, I've worked more Sundays than I have had off, BTW)
As far as the folks getting excited to let it be known that they don't believe in God, I figure that is human nature. Before I came to Christ I was an atheist. Let me assure you that many Christians can be and are as nasty as the atheists you describe to someone who does not share their faith. A lot of people are just plain catty.
Overall, it sounds to me like resentment not because you are a Christian but because you received special accomodation because of it. You don't know how irked I get when someone suggests that all of the childless people here should have to work Christmas in deference to those who have kids. (Hey, I might not have kids but I like Christmas too!) Most people don't want to see someone else get out of an onerous task (like working the heaviest shift) for whatever reason. If you were absent from a particularly nasty shift because you were taking a class, you would likely get a similar reaction.
Since you've left that job already, there is no point stewing over it. It's history. What you can do is learn from it.
Many many businesses are not open at all on Sundays. Those might be a good employment option. Another option might be to work a 7 day business but ask if you can work every Fri and Sat. (prime party evenings) or any other generally disliked shift job in exchange for Sunday mornings off. Doing this is unlikely to stir resentment among your co-workers. It might even promote gratitude. I have degenerative joint disease, so I'm a little slower than most younger nurses. This could easily cause resentment if they felt they were being forced to carry my load. How I deal with it is to work the hated night shift, which they perceive as sparing them from having to take a turn on that, and I also volunteer to do the lion's share of the hated paperwork, which is appreciated by all.
There are ways to get an accomodation which do not promote resentment, but they require that you give something more or sacrifice something else in another area. Where I work we would all kiss the feet of any person who worked every Friday and Saturday evening or night (party time!) in exchange for Sunday morning off. If you go into your next job and voice a willingness to take on something undesireable in exchange for getting your Sunday mornings off you may see a totally different reaction from your co-workers.
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2 Tim 3:12 - In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in christ Jesus will be persecuted
Not all persecution means being thrown into prison or tortured to death. A lifestyle of trying to be obedient to the Lord's commands never sits easily with unbelievers.
I'm a little surprised that this happened in Kentucky of all places; isn't Kentucky one of the most Christian states in the USA?
Well, you could look at in a good light - Jesus said those that are persecuted in His name are truly blessed.
Sounds like they may have run you off as you showed them a truth and lived what you believed. The world continues to darken rapidly and your light shone brightly and that was painful to their eyes.
__________________ Being confident in He who has begun a good work in you will be faithful to complete it.
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