Very religious colleague

'He will regularly ask people in the office what their opinion is on things like evolution, abortion and gay marriage.'

Literally your only response should be 'its not appropriate to discuss those topics in the workplace'

He needs to STFU or leave, nobody comes to work to listen to that. I once had a manager who was a very strict Muslim and although he didn't comment anything to me, he was very harsh on other Muslim colleagues and would pull them up on their clothing, whether they listened to music, lifestyle stuff where they weren't meeting 'standards' etc. It's uncalled for and it needs to be shut down.

I quite agree and wish more firms would enforce a 'no proselytising' rule at work.

I worked for the NHS and once witnessed a nurse evangelising to an Israeli doctor who was in our department for six months, lovely chap and great fun. They were both in my office at the time and she was going on about how it was "...all in the Bible, read Revelation....", without any regard to, or sensitivity towards, his Jewish faith. He was looking at her quite open mouthed with incredulity.
I intervened, told her it was not the time nor (her) place and that we were not allowed to evangelise at work. However we were definitely not allowed to, so I would have had HR backing had it been necessary. It didn't happen again to my knowledge.

I once heard an appalling homophobic rant at work from a "Christian". As the mother of a Gay DC I felt I couldn't let that lie and complained to HR.
HR's perspective was that he is entitled to his beliefs and can share these. I was utterly horrified at that. A person's beliefs should not trump another's lived reality.
To me, it's hate speech and religions are not supposed to be about hate.

Alot of what you said also just sounds really misogynistic and not much to do with being a christian...very focused on what women should or shouldn't be doing. He needs to keep his mouth shut and his views to himself. Dont be afraid to call him up on his BS.

You really do need to speak to your manager. It's not sufficient that they "don't have time" for this, it's part of their job!

I'd go for the protected characteristics under the Equality Act angle. He is entitled to not be discriminated against due to his recognised religion (Christianity), but in controlling everything form the music to conversation and whether or not somebody eats a god damn snack in the workplace is causing the workplace to be hostile to anybody whose religious views do not agree with his (including Atheists, because atheism also counts as a protected characteristic). He can still have his rights under the EA met without insisting that everybody else adheres to his rules and therefore loses theirs.

I would be parked in front of HR filing a formal complaint.

Good for you - he sounds very irritating, surprised no one has told him to fuck off.

We had a similar (but not quite as vocal) experience with a colleague - he has toned it down now thankfully. You don’t go to work to feel judged. I bet no one is telling him to chill out and go shagging around to enjoy himself!

It's not evangelical. Evangelical would be trying to convince eeryone else that Jesus loves them and they should dcommit their lives.

He sounds conservative and judgementa, and I wouldn't be putting up with any of this. Speaking to management is good and the right thing. But I'd have been rolling my eyes and being far more direct long before, "haha Jack, you can't tell me what to do with my body but I hope you find a woman wh is appropriately pure for you" etc,

Or holy self

Aside from the religious element he's completely out of line to bring up such personal topics as abortion. It's potentially upsetting and a distraction for people trying to work. He may have a case for lyricless music though.

He sounds insufferable. Not appropriate for the workplace at all.

Blasphemy and swearing in one sentence from a woman of all people 😂 his mind would implode

“For Christ’s sake Dave, will you shut the fuck up! We’re not interested- brew anyone?”

How can you work in an office full of such spineless passives? This would do my head in. He’s walking all over everyone’s feelings and loving it - what a dick 🙄

He’s got every right to his beliefs, and if the music is against that, go classical, or go headphones. But his religious beliefs/discussions are clearly not appreciated and therefore should be left completely out of the office in order to keep a respectful environment. Just like he has a right to his beliefs, so do you. And no one should have to feel uncomfortable.
Respect works both ways.

I don't subject people to my music choices either, listen to music on headphones if I'm public etc. but if a business has music playing in the background I wouldn't necessarily listen to myself I wouldn't call it offensive personally

Definitely not. I love music. But I do object to bring forced to listen to music I don't Iike or don't want. If I want to listen to music, I'll buy a concert ticket, use headphones or play it at home. I don't subject others to my choices.

I struggle to think of many people who would be offended by a Bach Prelude - but they are definitely not pointless!

Shall all music everywhere be banned? 😂

Yes, but there are evangelical Christians….. from the evangelical movement………….. which are notorious for this type of behaviour.

Catholics might evangelise, but they’re not part of the evangelical church. I’m not sure how to break this down even further so I’m just leaving it.

I think he only has the right to judge that the lyrics of a song makes him uncomfortable, not the moral worth HE places on the artist signing the song.

I find music that 'doesn't offend anyone' very offensive - and pointless!

I’d be furious with this op and probably have gotten in trouble myself for telling him my thoughts. He’s misogynistic at best. And regardless of his religious beliefs he needs to know it’s not acceptable to say what he is saying in a work environment. I would seriously take this further with management and hr. It is not ok. What if there is a member of you team who is gay/ had an abortion/ lives a life of sin he seems to think is ok to be judgemental about. He sounds a total dick and he cannot act like this

When I was working (I'm retired), nobody was allowed to discuss their personal religious beliefs in work time. I thought that was a general rule for the workplace, though not strictly illegal. Please try to enforce it.

Your colleague is young and zealous but needs to realise work is not for proselytising, it makes people uncomfortable and there will be people who do not share his faith, or at least not his take on it, who believe something different or nothing at all. Whatever he feels, they are all equal.

What matters at work is that people do their job and generally rub along with each other.

This guy could find himself in trouble if anyone complains about him; imo (and I am a Christian), that would be correct.

He needs to learn that there is a time and place for everything.

Do you have a good HR staff member who could have a word with him?