Very religious colleague

[ThatLadyLady]

I have a new colleague who is young, and very very religious. He isn’t quiet about his beliefs and in some ways I think that’s great, because he feels comfortable enough to be that way.

But in others it’s becoming quite uncomfortable. He will regularly ask people in the office what their opinion is on things like evolution, abortion and gay marriage. If they express a “non-Christian” belief he will laugh, tell them they’re wrong and explain what the bible says about these things. He won’t drop the subject even if people are visibly uncomfortable.

We listen to music in the office and he will object to almost anything that isn’t worship music. Someone played Sam Fender the other day (the consensus amongst the office was that it was a good playlist and we all enjoyed it), he asked for it to be changed because he doesn’t align with “Christian values”. So they switched on a different playlist, the first song was an Olivia Dean song and he started ranting about how she promotes sexual activity outside of marriage and that it’s wrong, women should be waiting until marriage etc.

He also expresses pretty strong views about women dating and it not being for marriage, that it’s “great” he has so many young female colleagues but he thinks we should be looking for marriage and to be a homemaker, etc etc.

I obviously don’t dispute his right to have these views, even if I disagree with them it’s his right. But would I be unreasonable to mention it to my manager quietly because his constant expression of these feelings is becoming quite uncomfortable?

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.

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.

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.

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

By conservative evangelical standards, this is extreme.

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!!

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'.

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.

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.

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.

Nope. I don’t think that’s right either. I think workplaces should be as free of politics as possible.

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.

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.

@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.

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

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.

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

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.

Maybe you could start pointing out when he's doing something that goes against the bible. Like wearing clothes with mixed fibres, Leviticus 19. If he gets acne, or a cold, then he needs to live apart from others and do a purification ritual, Leviticus 13.

If you want to go new testament, ask him why he's not following Acts 2:44 and to hold everything in common with other believers. Or Luke 18:22, to sell all his possessions and give to the poor

Does he greet people with "the holy kiss"? Romans 16?

Not only would I not wear it, I'd toss it in the bin.

My kids went to a religious school - C of E. Neither are now practicing Christians as adults but one has a great respect for the religion. A girl in my son's primary school told him he would go to hell if he didn't believe in Jesus and my son's response was that he would not be blackmailed - Im very proud of him

Maybe consider the possibility that you’re relying on biased sources to inform your opinions?
As far as I know, the Bible doesn’t state that the earth is spherical. The closest I know of is Isaiah 40:22 : “He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth”.
^^

I'd start out tactful in saying 'I think its great that you are so confident in your faith and I want to respect that but you need to respect that the rest of us are not Christian and so music tastes are going to cater to the majority. I'm sorry if you don't like it but you're welcome to put in some earbuds.'

Then if it continues I'd get a bit more blunt and tell him that he has no right to ram his religion down our throats and that until Jesus Christ himself walks into our office and declares that news of his death has been greatly exaggerated, I don't want to hear another word about him or his values.

Personal views should be kept confidential in the workplace. I would tell him to STFU his discussions aren't appropriate for the workplace.

I am quite sure that some of his opinions are discriminatory .

I am a practising Christian btw