Very religious colleague

Its because you have demonstrated a lack of understanding of the Equality Act, despite claiming to be an EDI manager. Unfortunately this is depressingly common amongst EDI managers who chose to listen to lobby groups on LGBTI issues rather than understand the law. This massive failure of professionalism and grasp of area of expertise does undermine such people.

And saying ' freedom of speech does not mean freedom of consequence' is one of the most stupid slogans ever invented. Clearly freedom of speech DOES mean freedom of consequence. Presumably you think Russian dissidents have freedom of speech in Russia, its just that that are not free of the consequence of being murdered by Putin's operatives.

The extremes of all religions are intolerant and often cruel. Tell your manager.

This is a completely ridiculous assumption. Why would you think this? I am an atheist. My son is gay. I wouldn't wear such a badge and I certainly wouldn't expect anyone else to unless it was their choice. I somehow manage to keep my atheism to myself everywhere I go. The only time I have ever told anyone I am an atheist is when I have been asked outright - always by someone religious. Why can't this particular Christian keep his opinions to himself? I am friends with plenty of Christians and we muddle along nicely without resorting to baiting each other into philosophical and religious debates. Sometimes I have to keep my trap shut to keep the peace. I am sure they do too. That's how tolerance works.

And no, I would not wear a "LBTQ+" badge at work, and would not work in a place where this was required.

@Calmomiletea you are protected by law in the UK for holding that opinion about the bible, and not being discriminated against for it, whatever I may think of it. I have no problem with that. You can also tell freely others that you believe something different from what they believe, which you have just done here. This man however does not have the right, in the workplace, to express misogynistic and homophobic opinions to his workmates, whatever those opinions are based on (in this case, religious beliefs). Totally different thing.

Something tells me that if he were a member of any religion other than the one you believe in, you would be rather less vocal in advocating tolerance of him.

OP, it's a workplace, his behaviour is not OK. Hopefully your manager will do something but otherwise would suggest you and yur colleagues refuse to engage in any conversation with him about these subjects.

Respect goes both ways. You and the rest of the office is entitled to be respected at work and express themselves as much as he is. His religious beliefs does not give him free rein to make unsolicited comments on others beliefs, interests or the way you live your lives. Report him to HR straightaway and be specific about incidents and what he said/ did.

He sounds a complete pain to be with. I suspect he’s been subjected to an element of brainwashing by a religious group to be so unreasonable. Not sure what you can do except perhaps suggest he wears earplugs if the playlist doesn’t suit him, and take it in turns to choose the music. Or consult HR but it’s tricky because he mustn’t be bullied for his beliefs.

You are free to believe what you want. I'm not going to believe a book was written by something I don't believe in - obviously.

There’s zero evidence of that sort of double standards in anything the OP had written.

Some posters have pointed out workplaces should avoid political positions including the ‘pro LGBQT’ type of thing.

I, and I suspect many other posters on this thread, would be against any sort of compulsion to wear badges of any group which infringes the rights of other protected characteristics.

Under the Equality Act he has the right to his religious belief. But under the Act the rest of you also have the right to hold different religious beliefs (or none) and not be constantly harangued for doing so.

This needs an HR complaint. The words to use are 'harrasment' and 'objectionable manifestation of belief'.

Are you an expert on the equality act, as I haven’t seen a comment from you about it, other than to pick an argument about sex and gender? Perhaps you could advise her rather than picking a pointless argument. I am very confident in my understanding and application of the EA. The OP can choose whether to take my advice or not. Have a good day!!

By conservative evangelical standards, this is extreme.

Don’t be disingenuous. You completely misrepresented the Equality Act as I suspect you do in your job every day.

It wasn't written by men. It was written by God. How else do you explain the knowledge contained in it that authors at that time would have had no clue about (like the earth being a sphere, for example), also the hundreds of historical facts stated in Scripture that predates archaeological finds (go do a tour of the British museum and read the book 'the Bible and the British museum as you go'.

How about you do some research yourself before commenting when you have been brainwashed to believe a lie.

Fucking hell. This misogynistic bullshit has no place in society, let alone the workplace. I’m a manger and wouldn’t hesitate to face into this. I have let a team member go for less than this. My workplace has a set of values and the behaviour described is a million miles from our values. This chap at the very least needs significant diversity and inclusivity training.

This self-righteous prat sounds insufferable. He needs to be instructed just once to wind his neck in and keep his archaic opinions to himself. His conduct isn't acceptable.

Thanks for the very patronising message, but I simplified it for brevity. Given that this very much does not involve gender reassignment and is not focusing on the sex/gender debate, I’m not sure what your point is, or why that is the point you have chosen to hone in on.

And all the same people who are complaining about him here will likely be saying he should be compelled to wear a pro LGBTQ badge in work, if its company policy. The double standards are sickening.
If he has to be tolerant of ungodly world views then you ought to be tolerant of him. It works both ways.

@ThatLadyLady can't you just change the subject every time he pipes up or say that the bible was written by men? He needs challenging as that is the only way he'll ever learn new beliefs.

Surely some of the other people in the office are also men? I don’t accept that being a man is enough on its own to subdue an entire office, even if the other 39 are women.

An office of 40 people is quite large. Too large , I’d have thought, for one person to preach to everyone else, unless they actually stand on a soapbox. Too large for everyone to be listening to one radio?

And the OP imagines he’s the sort of person to cry prejudice if anyone objects to his comments - but no one can say for sure how other people will react. Does everyone think the same, and how would the OP know? Does everyone talk to everyone else all the time? Does anyone ever get any work done?

As I say, there’s something very off about this post.

You don’t sound unreasonable at all.

What I would do: keep a bit of a diary these next two weeks. Note down whenever he makes these comments that make you uncomfortable (comment, date and time).

when you feel that you have enough (I’d say about 3 incidents) write a short email to your manager telling her that you have something you would like to discuss.

As an EDI manager you should be absolutely aware that “LGBTQ” is not a protected characteristic. Sexuality (including heterosexuality) and gender reassignment are protected characteristics and ones that can at times conflict.

The fact you seem unaware of this undermines the credibility of the rest of your post.

I would choose a phrase to say eg ‘please stop talking to me; you’re distracting me from my work’, or ‘that’s not an okay topic in the workplace’.

EVERY TIME!

After numerous times, if he continues, perhaps add ‘if you don’t stop, I will have no choice but to make a complaint to management.

Also, noise cancelling ear buds or ear plugs to help ‘mute’ him, or listen to music.