Workplace Nightmares

[Hugbabyboy]

I would in close quarters (the same room) as other individuals, who oppose religion altogether. I get cracked on probably every few minutes, over 100 times day, about my eithics and my beliefs. It gets really brutal sometimes, where they say some really obscene things and cruel things. I am new at the job, and it pays well 70k per year, and it took me 1 year to get this job so I need it badly. They come up with facts and so on why Jesus either didnt exist, or God doesnt exist and so much more. Sometimes I get hit so bad from all angles that I want to cry in tears. I cant go to Human Resources because they have seniority and I will most likely lose my job. How do I handle this? I dont preach to them or even mention God, I simply stay to my thoughts, but they enjoy harassing me and it never gets boring for them. I have no idea what to do...Please someone help.

 

[breezynosacek]

I've been there. Usually, when I get into a job situation like that it's because God has me there for a reason and all hell breaks lose because of it. You might only be there for one person and one person only, but your the one with the message for that particular person.

If you aren't there because God had a purpose for you being there you need to take it up with Him.

Save up your money for one thing. If the whole place is after you then you probably won't be there for long. Are there any other believers there? If there are (make sure they are real Christians and not some psuedo new agey types first) then you both need to start praying together.

You need to pray on your armor first thing every morning. If you don't you are dead meat. Eph 6:10-17

 

[Hugbabyboy]

Well, I work for the New York Stock Exchange as a humble and lowly stock assistant. If I burn my bridge here, or dont take the heat, my career will crumble. For example today I walked in, and several hundred POST-ITS were scrambled all over my desk, computer, chair, floor, wall with most of them with writing such as "Bible Thumper" - "Jesus is dead - deal with it", "GOD HATES YOU TOO" and so on..

Now the weird thing, is they claim and say they like me and do this in good health and just kidding around. But they say this when they see me about to cry or get upset.

I was Catholic my whole life, and just recently turned Pentecostal, and when I was Catholic I never got made fun of or got nuked. Now it seems like I am an enemy. I used to hit the Club and Rave scene in NYC really hard, and since my conversition, I lost alot of my friends and I have become an outcast with them.

But the worst part of my life is my work. I walk in work everyday and something new is done to me. They hid my bible (which i keep in my backpack) by making me follow notes throughout the office that read something like "Go to the mens room Stall 3" and i would go there to find another note until 20 notes later I find my bible.

I am doing something wrong? Should i pretend I am not religious just to keep peace with them?

 

[MrsGnomeCrusher]

I am doing something wrong? Should i pretend I am not religious just to keep peace with them?

Do you realize that if you were any other religion besides Christian that most likely this would have been handled already? That usually isn't tolerated.

Go here: Luke 6 22-23. (NIV)

Blessed are you when men hate you,
when they exclude you and insult you
and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man.

Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their fathers treated the prophets.

I say keep all these post-its and note everything that goes on. Take it to HR or your boss or someone higher.

 

[desi]

I would advise you to try to use a sense of humor about it. Try to joke that 'its hard to love some people when they hide your Bible.' Feel out your bosses to see if any of them share your beliefs, its much easier if you have someone looking out for you. You could also try to play their game by putting "Jesus loves you!" post its on their desks after hours. You are in a precarious position, so don't follow any of my advice if you think it will cause more problems than it will solve.

God bless you,


desi

 

[Hugbabyboy]

just walked in today and found a bunch of pens tied with rubberbands as upside down crosses. GREAT! and my computer desktop wallpaper had pentagrams on it.
Well, I think i am going to do some revenge time. I will take your advice Desi, and play their game. I am going to go buy a bunch of bibles and put them in each of their drawers.

 

[Neenie]

just walked in today and found a bunch of pens tied with rubberbands as upside down crosses. GREAT! and my computer desktop wallpaper had pentagrams on it. Well, I think i am going to do some revenge time. I will take your advice Desi, and play their game. I am going to go buy a bunch of bibles and put them in each of their drawers.

No, don't do that, It will only provoke them.

You only have two options:

1. keep quite about your faith, try to hang around with them and talk to them. Just let them know your a normal person.

If that doesn't work over a few weeks and they continue as they were, then start saving up your money and leave. There is no point in staying there. Try and get a reference from your employer and find something else to do. Why stay at any Job where you are harassed daily? God will look after you if you decide to leave.

God bless

 

[MrsGnomeCrusher]

I will take your advice Desi, and play their game. I am going to go buy a bunch of bibles and put them in each of their drawers.

Playing thier game will most likely backfire.

 

[brand]

Hug and y'all,

Remember there is a "cloud of witnesses" that not only witnessed God and everything He has expressed to mankind, but also would back you up in an instant if it would have any effect ("even if one were to return from the dead, they would not repent").

Sometimes the most effective witness is a vulnerable one.

But better yet, you have the creator of the universe, Jesus, not just "on" your side, but "at" your side. Really and truly.

I know you need someone tangible now, which is why God has also given you breezy, Caelda, desi, neenie, and me.

You have been justified, you are justified, you will be justified.

Give yourself a chance to "rejoice, for so they persecuted the prophets."

 

[womendon'tbesilent]

Hi Hugbabyboy. I'm writing because I know what it's like to be picked on. I don't know if this will make you feel better, by working with Wall Street types especially brokers is probably one of the most brutal work environemnts anywhere. Most of them are very aggressive, insensitive, nasty sort of people because the type of work they encourages these traits. People like that are like vultures, they smell fear and vulnerability very quickly and delight in picking on anyone who isn't like them or who seems to be different, kinder, gentler.

You say that you find notes on your desk to go to... and you go?? Why? They're playing a "game" with you and you're falling for it. I think you should just ignore them. Don't read their notes, don't go anywhere and don't listen to them. It is because you give them so much attention that they know they can get to you and upset you. The thing that will make them back off is confidence. They can tell you are not confident about your faith around them because you fear them mocking you, and that's just what they do. If you project confidence and 'I don't really care what you think about my beliefs" they will leave you alone.

 

[breezynosacek]

Hug and y'all,

Remember there is a "cloud of witnesses" that not only witnessed God and everything He has expressed to mankind, but also would back you up in an instant if it would have any effect ("even if one were to return from the dead, they would not repent").

Sometimes the most effective witness is a vulnerable one.

But better yet, you have the creator of the universe, Jesus, not just "on" your side, but "at" your side. Really and truly.

I know you need someone tangible now, which is why God has also given you breezy, Caelda, desi, neenie, and me.

You have been justified, you are justified, you will be justified.

Give yourself a chance to "rejoice, for so they persecuted the prophets."

Amen!

Sometimes, it is hard to rejoice in the midst of the persecution.

Take some oil and pray over it:

"I pray in Jesus Name to bless this oil for the purposes of anointing."

Then take that anointing oil and anoint your work area in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Bind and rebuke in Jesus name a spirit of New Age and a Spirit of Antichrist. Ask in Jesus Name for the Holy Spirit to come in there and be your Strengthener and Standby. "I do this in Jesus Name according to the Word of God which says that when Jesus returned to heaven He would send the Holy Spirit.

"However, I am telling you nothing but the truth when I say it is profitable (good, expedient, advantageous) for you that I go away. Because if I do not go away, the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Advocate, Intercessor, Strengthener, Standby) will not come to you [in close fellowship with]."

Now, ask the Lord to send the Holy Spirit to convict of sin and righteousness.

"And when He comes, He will convict and convince the world and bring demonstration to it about sin and about righteousness (uprightness of heart and right standing with God) and about judgement:

About sin, because they do not believe in Me [trust in, rely on, and adhere to Me];
About righteousness (uprightness of heart and right standing with God), because I go to My Father, and you will see Me no longer;
About judgment, because the ruler (evil genius, prince) of this world [Satan] is judged and condemned and sentence already is passed on him."

This passage comes from the Amplified Version in John 16:7-11

I suggest strongly that you print this out and just read it off. You may have to keep doing it.

Have you asked the Lord your purpose in being there yet?

More importantly, did you ask the Lord before you chose this career if this is where He wants you?

I'm not saying that that is why you are being attacked, on the contrary, being a spirit-filled believer makes you a target. It makes all of those demons feel icky and very scared.

Now, if you react in the flesh, satan will jump for glee.

The Lord told me a long time ago, Steph when people take a sudden disliking to you when you haven't done anything to them to make them hate you, just remember that it isn't personal. It is those peoples demons that are responding to My Spirit in you.

In other words don't take it personally. It isn't about you. It's about God's Kingdom and when we view it for what it is we can pray in love for those who persecute us.

 

[Neenie]

Amen, Good post breezynosacek!!

 

[pegatha]

People like that are like vultures, they smell fear and vulnerability very quickly and delight in picking on anyone who isn't like them or who seems to be different, kinder, gentler... It is because you give them so much attention that they know they can get to you and upset you. The thing that will make them back off is confidence.

I don't know anything about this environment, but I'm convinced this holds true for bullies everywhere. You can't look like you're upset. And you definitely need to get control over the crying. Weakness to bullies is like blood to a shark. You gotta toughen up.

If you can keep a sense of humor, so much the better. In Joni Eareckson Tada's first book, she talks about a girl she met once who had already heard of Joni, hated her sight unseen, and launched a verbal attack the minute they were introduced. Joni's reaction was, "Oh, I didn't know I had a fan club here!" which made everyone laugh, broke the ice, and eventually led to a friendship. Maybe this kind of approach would help you too.

Ask the Lord to give you a fresh perspective on all this. You are there because someone needs to see faith in action. Let them watch you grow in strength, love, and confidence.

 

[desi]

just walked in today and found a bunch of pens tied with rubberbands as upside down crosses. GREAT! and my computer desktop wallpaper had pentagrams on it.
Well, I think i am going to do some revenge time. I will take your advice Desi, and play their game. I am going to go buy a bunch of bibles and put them in each of their drawers.

Thats ballsy! I won't say its a great idea from a 'safe' standpoint. But if God has any respect for initiative and balls you are home free Hugababyboy.

 

[jet_blue]

hey! i look up to u for being able to put up wit all that and not fall apart. i jst wanted to tell u that god says somewhere in the bible about you'll get more treasures in heaven and so forth and that whoever acknolgdes god in front of man, jesus will acknologed in heaven. also remember that what can man do to u if god is on ur side? this stuff is happening for a reason, if it isnt, u shouldnt be there kind of thing. i dont know, jst remember that every time somebody pays u out for being a christian, ur reward grows in heaven.......its all muddled up what i said, but i felt like i should say it

 

[Hugbabyboy]

I left work early yesterday cause I had to go to the doctor (1 hour early). I came into today to find a beanie baby being crucified on my telephone handle with its arms streched out and on its belly written "I AM GOD TOO". They are purely humorously sick and twisted. I got into an arguement about it with them, telling them that its disrespectful. I mean I have one dood who sits next to me who practices Wicca (witch magic) and he walks around with dead rabbit body parts (ears to be exact) that he ripped off himself. The other guys do cocaine in the morning, afternoon, and possibly one more time before the Market Close.

 

[breezynosacek]

Ya know something, this keeps coming up in my mind everytime I read this thread. Maybe you need to pray about it.

The law protects you against religious harassment. Obviously, management probably knows what is going on since it is so wide spread. I'm wondering, since it is such an "in the news" situation where you work if you are supposed to file suit?

There needs to be laws passed to protect Christians. They protect every sinful person coming and going and it's in the news to gender sympathy for homo#exuals and others. Not many times do we get a chance to hear the truth about persecution in the workplace.

Gee, I wonder if suing the NY Stock exchange would get publicity. I would contact a Christian legal advocacy group and talk to them about it. They might even be willing to take it on for free! For certain, you need to start documenting this. There are steps to be taken to deal with it but I would speak to a Christian legal counsel first, before doing anything.

 

[Neenie]

Hugbabyboy Why stay there? I understand you worked hard to get the Job, But It sounds like It Isn't worth It...

 

[Neenie]

Gee, I wonder if suing the NY Stock exchange would get publicity.

Sounds like agood idea to me

 

[Hugbabyboy]

Before this firm, I worked for Knight Securities, and I got laid off the traders were scared when I caught them doing coke in the bathroom pre-open and when they asked me to do it with them, i said no. And before that at Jefferies & Company I got laid off, cause I wasnt a good look-out for them when the Trade Floor managers walked by and they were snorting. I had gotten them caught twice. And then when the traders hung out and I went with them, they would pop ecstacy and be tripping their brains out and I wouldnt get into it, so they looked down at me. So you can only imagine what goes on here. My boss smokes pot before he comes in, my coworkers are ripped on coke all day long.