Agnostic.com

19 1

For my birthday, I had a coworker give me a bible and a couple of books on Jesus. He and I had never discussed religion. I don't let coworkers know my beliefs. I don't know why he did this. He is typically a very nice and respectful man whom I enjoy talking with.
What are your thoughts on how I should react to him?

Rollingrhonda 4 Apr 1
Share

Enjoy being online again!

Welcome to the community of good people who base their values on evidence and appreciate civil discourse - the social network you will enjoy.

Create your free account

19 comments

Feel free to reply to any comment by clicking the "Reply" button.

0

Jeebus!

0

Many years ago, in high school, a classmate gave to her friend a cross for her birthday. My friend told the other girl "You know I am Atheist, I won't wear it...take your cross back."

0

I would say "thanks", bin them and never mention it again.
Alternatively, you could wait till his birthday comes round and give him a book on science.

0

Just say, Thank you so much, I just love Epic Fantasy with lots of Magic, Sex and Violence!

0

joie de vivre. I'd say thank you ... no more, no less, protect your work environment. Happy BD !

1

Give them back to him with a big smile and so "No thanks."

0

Personally, I would accept his gift as it was intended; a gift on your birthday.

0

Here is my 2 cents worth. Apparently your co worker is a religious person and may think everyone else also is. I don't see a reason to involve HR into this because it may be an innocent gesture, however thoughtless. Just thank her and close the case, Then do whatever you want with the books. If in the feature she brings up the subject of religion, you can always say you feel religion is a very private belief for everyone and you don't feel comfortable to discuss it with anyone.

0

If someone did that to me, I'd respectfuly return them, say I wasn't interested in religion, or just donate them to a library for their monthly used book sales. But even if I donated them, I'd still tell the person, and probably ask them politely NOT to give me any more.

0

Donate them to the company library , is there is one. If not, donate them to your local Salvation Army shelter. They don't ask questions (unless you want to spend the night).

0

If he's nice just say thank you. if he asks tell him the truth.

0

Put the book back on their desk.

0

If you go to HR with it he will know that he is doing "the good work" becaue he is being persecuted as a Christian. I find that a lot of people just don't get it today that you can't be out in the world and have never heard of Jesus at all. They are giving you the gift of "the good news."

1

A coworker gave me for Christmas "God's Not Dead" on DVD. She does know my position, and we've discussed it enough that she must realize I didn't come to my viewpoint lightly or without serious consideration of the available arguments for and against religion and the various metaphysical claims. (I don't go out of my way to talk about religion with coworkers, but if it happens to come up I don't sidestep it.) But she is rather judgmental and can't help herself from trying to convert me (albeit in a rather passive-aggressive way). She had left the giftwrapped case at my desk, though she had mentioned it to me previously via email (without specifying what the gift was), so I didn't have to feign appreciation or make any tongue-in-cheek comments to offset the awkwardness, and I was able to just ignore her gesture. The thing is, I would never give someone a video or book about how Yahweh isn't real or how Christianity is rubbish — and not just because I'm a cheap bastard; her religious views are her own and have nothing to do with me, and I wouldn't disrespect her by giving her such a "gift." Even if we were close friends, rather than friendly acquaintances/coworkers, a gift like that wouldn't be inappropriate.

So my suggestion, especially because you don't discuss religious beliefs at all with coworkers, is to ignore it and not bring it up to him. If he brings it up, maybe just say that you appreciate the gesture but you prefer to keep work professional and don't like to muddy the waters with personal discussions about religion, politics, etc., whatever is off limits to you, that might have emotions running high and interfere with maintaining a healthy and respectful work environment.

In your case maybe your coworker thinks you "became angry at god" because your father is dead and that's why you became atheist just like the man in the movie. That's how theists think.

@DenoPenno I'm really not sure what her thinking is. I doubt she thinks I'm angry, but deep down she must think I just haven't thought about it enough. In reality, I'm quite sure I've given it far greater thought than she has.

Just tell them you have already read them fairy tales. And who do they think Kane and able married?
Apes? Talk about how disgusting the themes of many of the stories are. Why drinking more wine after you have drank all the wine already is glutany.

0

I would just say thank you. If I felt comfortable enough with the person I would let them know my beliefs.

0

Straight to HR

0

Oh ick....I have no idea how I’d react.

My boss gave me a book on eat less/move more. I’m the only fatty at my job. I know she meant well but I found it pretty cruel.

Sometimes people just don’t think.

The cheecky bitch

1

If you don’t want people at work to know you are a nonbeliever just accept the gifts and thank him.

0

Just thank him and tell him that you are a non believer...

Write Comment
You can include a link to this post in your posts and comments by including the text q:47668
Agnostic does not evaluate or guarantee the accuracy of any content. Read full disclaimer.