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?

I doubt you’ve ever listened to Charlie Kirk.

Op if it makes you uncomfortable list the examples and tell your manager, same with any religion.

Some were. The vast majority weren’t.

Give over - that would make half of the population of Glasgow proselytising religious nuts, for example.

This guy is his own special little thing.

its a workplace, not a church, so complain to your manager, its harrassment towards those who don't hold his beliefs.

What is really strange is 40 people are allowing one person who isn’t the manager to dictate the music all day….

honestly, put a stop to that now. You’ve given him a load of power that isn’t warranted

Tell him to bring his own AirPods and listen to his own playlist.

Put the radio on then whatever comes on, comes on.

He clearly doesn’t have enough work to do if he has this time to chat.

I’d talk informally to your manager

Things are already uncomfortable and difficult.
Get it sorted out!

He doesn’t have any right to express these views in the workplace. I don’t know why you have been a wet lettuce putting up with this to date? This intolerable bullshit should have gone to HR at the first instance.

This ☝️
I do find it quite odd that no one has gone to HR already - are you all very young? No way would I have put up with that.

This is the problem with 'bring your whole self to work'. The selves are not always compatible. It can't carry on like this - if no one is willing to have a quiet word you'll have to speak to the manager.
Most Christians wouldn't dream of behaving like this at work - it sounds as if the arrogance of youth is playing a part.

I do think his age is a factor.

ill speak with my manager today. I just know it’s a very touchy area

Okay, how about "Fred, read the fucking room."

Is he the boss's son or something?

The first few posts nailed it! Totally inappropriate.

A few comments for him:

Wouldn't life be dull if we're all the same.

If I wanted your opinion, I'd give it to you.

My beliefs are none of your business.

Yes, dear, whatever you say, dear.

The 1700s called. They want their bigot back.

And was it Maggie Smith who said "religion is like a penis - it's fine to have one, just don't wave it around in public.

Seriously though, I would be looking for a line manager to shut this down, with extra training for him inclusion, diversity, equality and discrimination. People have been sacked for this behaviour, and I wouldn't tolerate it.

Your decision to talk to your manager is the right one.

No, me neither!

It doesn’t matter if a majority is doing the harassment, or a single person. It sounds like the radio may have to be turned off.

Yes. He has the right to hold his fundamentalist views, obviously, but not to proselytise during the work day.

It's completely unacceptable in the work place. One of my team is a JW. She is very quiet about her beliefs, never tries to "convert" anyone and in fact a lot of the team aren't even aware she's a JW.

You need to speak to your team manager.

But you are saying it IS uncomfortable and difficult. So do something about it, it or put up with it.

Majority does not rule though,

Complaining about it is not against his religion. He is an annoying twat pushing his views on everyone. He can think and believe what he likes but he is making everyone in the office feel uncomfortable. It has to stop.

This guy is completely out of order. You/others in the team need to speak to management. Personally I wouldn’t be pussyfooting around him so much - if he can state his beliefs, then how could he claim discrimination of someone else does likewise? His sexism and homophobia need challenging - maybe some basic training on equality legislation would be in order.
As to the music, insisting on ‘worship music’ and talking over anything else is simple bullying, as well as him being religiously discriminatory. Until the guy can be reined in/grows the fuck up , the suggestion to compile an instrumental playlist may be helpful.

Which ones weren’t?

Why does renaming bigotry as religion means he gets a free pass? Say he is being misogynistic and discriminatory and provide examples and leave it there. Do NOT apologise because it’s religious.