Atheists in the workplace

[now faith]

Like I said brother, I really don't want to make a big deal out of it. Perhaps this person is not aware that I have been ordained and licensed to preach.

In the year and a half I have worked with/around this person, I have not tried to proselytize nor talk religion with this person, o preached to them.

I though what I said earlier was an easy, simple way to defuse the situation.

"Perhaps you do not realize that I am an ordained member of the Baptist church and licensed to preach don't you. Tell you what, your refrain from making remarks about religion, and I'll not preach or witness to you."

But alas, the overwhelming response so far has been to keep my mouth shut and act like nothing happened.

Caroline Kennedy is quoted as saying:

"It is not easy to stand up against your constituents or your friends or colleagues or your community and take a tough stand for something you believe is right. Because you always want to keep working and live to fight another battle and it might cost you your career."

Peter Marshall, game show host is quoted as saying:

"If you don't stand for something you will fall for anything."

A friend here on the forums had a saying, I modified it to say:

"Other than their own sins, all a man has is his principles that he can call his own, compromise them, and he has nothing!"

Oh well, I'll keep this thread open a little longer and then request it to be closed.

God Bless

Till all are one.

It's all a ruse.
Atheist are just as religious as Christians they are prosolizing un belief to the point of a dogmatic religon.

Here's a example: I do not believe in the Buddhist religon.
I will not discomfort them if we share the same work because I don't praise their belief.
It would not bother me if they prayed to a fat little statue.
One of my son's who was in Afghanistan told my wife and I we may be uncomfortable at his house due to his wife having on display little Buddha statues for good luck.
We traveled to his house stayed a night and said nothing.
Right before coming home for good he repented and is a Child of God now.
Buddha is gone from his House and they attend a Baptist Church.
His wife has not confessed Christ but she has not denied him either.
Life became different for him when his baby was born,his hardened heart changed.
I personally believe God is in everyone's genome,and they have a void they do not understand.
Here in the fourms we have Atheist who will gang up with passion and debate till dawn.
Why?
I'm sure there are other things they do not believe in ,yet their passion tells a story.
As our Lord said to Saul why persecute me ?It is hard to kick against the pricks.(paraphrase).
May your work place be Blessed thank you Deacon.

 

[miamited]

Hi DD,

I applaud your restraint. I also worked with a godless man who would go off on me when he heard me listening to 'christian' music. He was an extremely bigoted and vulgar individual, but I had to work with him. When he'd cuss at me to turn my music off, I'd do it.

As regards 'preaching' the gospel. I'm all for making known to someone, especially someone that I'm going to be side by side with for hours a day, my faith. Not necessarily through direct conversation with that person about my faith, but by showing them how I live with my faith. Saying something as simple as God bless you from time to time or reading 'christian' books and such.

When it comes to sharing one's faith and the truth of God, there are a couple of things that the Scriptures tell us. Yes, Jesus says that we are to go into all nations, but I'm aware of the order in which he gave us the command for how to deal with those in the nations that we go into. His words, in order, tell us to baptize first and then teach. So, I see this instruction not as some command to go out and proselytize everyone that we meet in all circumstances. These people that Jesus is telling us to deal with are to first make a confession of faith and be baptized, and then, just as we should likely do with everyone who begins their journey of faith, teach them all that Jesus has commanded of us.

The second piece of Scripture that deals with sharing the faith, as I understand it, says that we are to always be prepared to give an answer for the hope that we have...to those who ask. Now, this doesn't mean that I'm against sidewalk evangelism and I'm well aware that there are a number of cases in the Scriptures where the first apostles taught before crowds and we surely can't expect that all of them had asked anything about God or faith. But, I don't think we are keeping the commandment of our Lord and Savior when we feel so burdened to share what the Scriptures say about faith to us, with others who we are obviously creating problems with by doing so.

Some people will listen politely, and if I see the spirit of that person so inclined, then I'll certainly bring up the subject of faith and perhaps go as far as I can to at least pique their curiosity about mine. Others will flat out reject any such efforts and I will honor that rejection. However, by showing small little 'examples' of my faith as I am with someone who is so inclined as to reject any outright overtures, I am leaving open the possibility that they might ask me questions as to why I do such and such a thing.

Sharing the faith, I believe, is a very important aspect of our living a life of faith. But, I'm not sure that we should feel that we have to share it with everyone that we meet in all circumstances. The Scriptures tell us that God will draw one to faith. I believe that ultimately, if God wants a particular individual to hear the good news of His salvation, that He will open the door and call that person.

Yes, it's tough working with people who blaspheme and mock and denigrate the name of our Lord. It is so much worse than having to work with people who don't agree with the same presidential candidate that you do. I pray that God would give you discernment in this tough issue you face.

God bless you,
In Christ, ted