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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

God-bothering at work

456 replies

WhereToSheNow · 25/10/2015 15:40

New MD hired his buddy/neighbour 6 months ago for a few hours a week to act as a Management Consultant.

The Management Consultant, who we call "Pokey" (because he keeps jabbing us in the arm) has some sort of official capacity within the Baptist Church, and his website is all about the application of his faith within business.

I didn't have a problem with that, as he hadn't mentioned religion.... until last week.

He attended a "World Leadership Course" and emailed us his notes, with several quotes about God and Jesus, telling us to read them and "feel free to ask any questions". In a meeting the following day, he asked us what we thought of his email.

I told him that I don't want to be included in emails that reference any religion/god, at which point he became very defensive.

Later that day I received another email where he said that he was sorry if the contents of his previous email had offended me, but that he hoped I would gain some insight that would assist me in my professional or personal life.

AIBU to think that my work should a) be a secular space and b) my personal life is none of his business!

OP posts:
LoveAndHate · 27/10/2015 08:09

Yes, Bert, I know why that is (and the bible spells this out too): there will always be 'believers' who claim to know Christ but they only know him by name; they do not hold true his teachings; they are embarrassed to talk about Him outside of church; they believe all lifestyles and worldviews can be compatible with Christianity if they simply ignore those portions of the Word that are discomfiting to them or 'outmoded'.

I do not believe radical feminism, or anarchy or a belief in gay marriage can ever be compatible with Christ's teachings. That isn't my judgement, it is what everybody can read for themselves (im happy to post the appropriate bible passages if anyone would like to read).

For those alluding to my having made no headway with my own evangelism, I didn't come to thread to convert anyone - I know most of the individuals here already in terms of their worldview and they know Christ's message very well already - I came here to add my opinion that the OP is being slightly hysterical in her fear of this man's beliefs and to defend 'God-botherers' who, as in this case, is merely passing on what he has been instructed to (by God, by his boss and by the message of his World Leadership course. It is my belief threads like this are created with the sole purpose of re-painting the Christian as in intolerant, ignorant and oppressive swivel-eyed loon.

I will always defend Christ, because He only ever preached love and forgiveness. Always. And if anyone would care to point me to biblical evidence that he did not care for and respect women, or preached hatred towards anyone, I'll be happy to take a look.

BartholinsSister · 27/10/2015 08:11

What about his dad, he wasn't very nice to people was he?

Lweji · 27/10/2015 08:18

I think I'll mostly ignore your post because it's so off the mark and biased and purposefully misrepresenting people and opinions on so many things that I really don't have the mental availability to go through it point by point.

BertrandRussell · 27/10/2015 08:31

"It is my belief threads like this are created with the sole purpose of re-painting the Christian as in intolerant, ignorant and oppressive swivel-eyed loon."

Grin You couldn't make it up, could you?

hackmum · 27/10/2015 08:33

LoveAndHate: "He only ever preached love and forgiveness."

Why don't you follow his example, then?

hairbrushbedhair · 27/10/2015 09:08

"It is my belief threads like this are created with the sole purpose of re-painting the Christian as in intolerant, ignorant and oppressive swivel-eyed loon."

Well that was demonstrated nicely Hmm

Clutterbugsmum · 27/10/2015 09:08

Sorry Loveandhate, you sound like the type of 'christen' person who is more concern about how you look to the outside world rather actually being a christen.

I don't give a toss about what you or anyone else believes, but I do expect you to respect my believes and not force yours on me, and if you have been asked not to talk about your believes then you should respect that.

GruntledOne · 27/10/2015 09:12

That isn't my judgement, it is what everybody can read for themselves (im happy to post the appropriate bible passages if anyone would like to read).

So, LoveandHate, do you live your life according to the pronouncements of the Bible? Where do you stand on Leviticus?

BertrandRussell · 27/10/2015 09:23

Ooh, sorry, I missed the offer to trade texts. Grin

One of the many times I am grateful that I had a very old fashioned education. Bring it on!

Mine will all be KJV- hope that's acceptable?

CocktailQueen · 27/10/2015 09:36

Loveandhate - you are just the type of person who gives Christianity a bad name.

Has anyone on this thread agreed with you - Christian or agnostic? No? Doesn't that tell you you're out of step with everyone else?

Your views are so entrenched, the's no point trying to argue with you or change your mind. Unbelievable (and not in a good way).

LoveAndHate · 27/10/2015 10:43

I haven't met anyone posting on this thread who has professed a love for Christ and his teachings so can only deduce their are no Christians here. I'm happy to be convinced otherwise.

LoveAndHate · 27/10/2015 10:50

Hmmm...Leviticus. That ol' stalwart of the atheist's arsenal. Try googling it if you're genuinely interested in why God had this rigid set of rules 6000 years ago for the ancient Jews. I know you already know, so I shanty be playing along Sad

LoveAndHate · 27/10/2015 10:56

Not sure where the sad face came from Hmm

Lweji · 27/10/2015 11:01

You may have professed a love, but I haven't seen it in practice. Sad

AnotherCider · 27/10/2015 11:03

LoveAndHate - the strongly 'evangelical' churches that I came across and was brought up in certainly preached Christ's love. Tis a pity that they didn't live it and demonstrate Christ's love by example.

The damage my former church, and the other churches did to young people who they attracted to them was horrible. They didn't just 'drift away' from the church as many CofEs do, and come back when they have a young family themselves, they ran away, and are in hiding from it. It took me 10 years to go back to ANY church after I finally left it.

Far more Do As I Say rather than Do As I Do.

I do love Christ, but I will NEVER be a part of a church that tells me that I am a second class citizen because I don't have a penis between my legs. That I am unclean because I menstruate. Who refuse permission to people to remarry and be part of the church with their new partner after leaving an abusive relationship.

And I feel the conflict of that every time I spend time with my family.

hairbrushbedhair · 27/10/2015 11:32

LoveandHate I am wondering where you stand on the woman caught in adultery (John 8)

Jesus told the crowd that he who was without sin could cast the first stone at her.

'Stoning'being the judgement prescribed appropriate under mosaic law

In this modern age in the west you wouldn't get away with stoning. But you certainly judge, you have thrown out insults on this very thread multiple times about people's lifestyles and people's ways of interpreting or expressing their faith. It's not up to you to decide if someone is/isn't a Christian. The bible tells you that ONLY God knows the thoughts of a man.

When everyone left without being able to cast a stone since everyone had some form of transgression, Jesus said He didn't condemn her either.

What's known about Jesus (according to the bible) is that he surrounded himself with people who were a long way from 'good christians' - people who were the outcasts of society
__
Since you claim to follow Jesus, I would suggest you seriously consider following his example

Consider this a rebuke Wink

noeffingidea · 27/10/2015 11:34

It's impossible to live in the UK in 2015 and not to have heard of God, Jesus Christ or Christianity, therefore there is no need to evangelise at work. Anyone who is interested and wishes to know more can pursue it. If they don't, well they're not interested, are they?

VulcanWoman · 27/10/2015 11:48

noef hear hear, well said. amen to that

Original poster
WhereToSheNow · 27/10/2015 11:58

noeffing that was so succinct

OP posts:
LoveAndHate · 27/10/2015 12:49

There is knowing of Christ and then there is knowing Him. It isn't enough to know of Him; He wants us to repent and enjoy the freedom of redemption and a life of Godliness. This includes sharing His message.

limitedperiodonly · 27/10/2015 13:08

You said 'knowing Christ'

Uh huh huh huh

Heh heh heh

noeffingidea · 27/10/2015 13:16

loveandhate so you're going to carry on evangelising to people who clearly don't want it and have no interest in what you have to say then?

BertrandRussell · 27/10/2015 13:23

LoveandHate. I can only assume you are joking. Please stop.

LoveAndHate · 27/10/2015 13:24

I have already clearly stated that I didn't come to this thread to evangelise and the reasons why. I then clearly stated why I did join the discussion.

limitedperiodonly · 27/10/2015 13:25

noeffingidea my understanding of evangelising is that it is better to give than to receive.

So you won't stop these people.

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