I am finding it hard to be around atheists at work.. any advice?
- Thread starter SpudLove
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I think you can be aware of them the way that the Old Testament shows God being aware of them. They are created and loved by God as His creation, but they choose not to live with Him. They will die when their life on this earth is over, so God does not bless them, does not discipline them, God simply lets them live their life.
Christ often spent more time with them than with those who were determined they knew all about God and could not learn. Often the atheists are kinder and live a life more Godlike than people of the church who listen to only a portion of scripture and use that portion to shut their knowledge of all of God away.
The atheists simply live in a completely different world than you do. They live in a world that has shut the spiritual part out, the part with the most importance. They are sort of half aware of reality, as if a part of them is blind. In their atheism they really have no substance. They are open to demons. But they can be fun, and they can come alive and aware.
Christ often spent more time with them than with those who were determined they knew all about God and could not learn. Often the atheists are kinder and live a life more Godlike than people of the church who listen to only a portion of scripture and use that portion to shut their knowledge of all of God away.
The atheists simply live in a completely different world than you do. They live in a world that has shut the spiritual part out, the part with the most importance. They are sort of half aware of reality, as if a part of them is blind. In their atheism they really have no substance. They are open to demons. But they can be fun, and they can come alive and aware.
O
The lousy thing about atheists is that they always want to argue with believers. They're fascinated with the concept of devotion. I guess you should remember that your job is to tell - not convince. Remember too they have a hard time - even when they're actually really thankful they don't have anything to thank. Henny Youngman once said he tried to become an atheist but decided against it because there wern't holidays and.....U.S. President Eisenhower said an atheist watches a Notre Dame vs. SMU football game and doesn't care who wins.
You can always take the high road (in spite of yourself) and thank God that He is giving you the opportunity to exercise patience. It's His will that you be patient. I think it's a good practice to oftentimes say "Thank you, Lord. Thy will be done." It's important to remember that for those who love God all things happen for the greater good.
T
thankyou all - really. It's the snide remarks, and people using Jesus name (in vain) who are not Christian at all. It has been making feel physically sick on occaision. But will have this thread to refer from in future 
so thankyou again indeed.
so thankyou again indeed.
J
I'd recommend two books, Tactics by Greg Koukl and I Don't Have Enough Faith To be an Aithiest by Geisler. The first book tells you how to talk about your faith and defend it in any discussion. The second book shows you the flaws in aithiests' reasoning, and why they are the way they are. I hope this helps!
thankyou all - really. It's the snide remarks, and people using Jesus name (in vain) who are not Christian at all. It has been making feel physically sick on occaision. But will have this thread to refer from in future so thankyou again indeed.
so thankyou again indeed.
Don't think you're in your job by accident...NOT SO!
You are there by divine appointment...Jesus put you there for a purpose, atheists are all around us (and you), so get used to it and shine for Jesus, develop a think skin so that their derogatory remarks, which they are not conscious about using quite often as it is done habitually, simply bounce of you! The scecular work place is one of the places used by God to perfect us (i.e., form Christ's character in us), even as God prepared His Son Jesus (for not only His earthly ministry, but His high Priestly ministry as well) in the family business as a carpenter at Nazareth. Heb 2v10,17,18, 4v15.
Col 3v23,24: 'And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.'
Secular work (along with our home life, friendships, prayer life, church life and so forth) done for Jesus is JUST as important as any religious ministry work! Col 3 (all)
Yahweh Shalom...
You are there by divine appointment...Jesus put you there for a purpose, atheists are all around us (and you), so get used to it and shine for Jesus, develop a think skin so that their derogatory remarks, which they are not conscious about using quite often as it is done habitually, simply bounce of you! The scecular work place is one of the places used by God to perfect us (i.e., form Christ's character in us), even as God prepared His Son Jesus (for not only His earthly ministry, but His high Priestly ministry as well) in the family business as a carpenter at Nazareth. Heb 2v10,17,18, 4v15.
Col 3v23,24: 'And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.'
Secular work (along with our home life, friendships, prayer life, church life and so forth) done for Jesus is JUST as important as any religious ministry work! Col 3 (all)
Yahweh Shalom...
If people are insulting you and Christ in a way which is effecting your work and making you feel sick, that is bullying and harassment. in the UK we have workers rights and law regarding this Harassment is a legal issue so you do have the law on your side.
Our government website has good info on this.
https://www.gov.uk/workplace-bullying-and-harassment
Here is what it says about Harassment.
[h=2]The law[/h] Bullying itself isn’t against the law, but harassment is. This is when the unwanted behaviour is related to one of the following:
You could go running to management first thing, but as a Christian we should try and resolve it through kindness, first tell the atheists, in a loving kind manner how you fell and that you do not appreciate their mocking and ask to stop. If it continues then take it to your manager or whoever is the appropriate person in the company, then tell them that you are being harassed and bullied and you need it sorted, otherwise they will be facing a tribunal.
Here is another section of that website with actions you should take.
[h=2]What employees should do if they’re bullied or harassed[/h] Employees should see if they can sort out the problem informally first. If they can’t, they should talk to their:
They could also call the Acas (Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service) helpline for advice:
Acas helpline
Telephone: 08457 47 47 47
Minicom: 08456 06 16 00
Acas has also produced a guidance leaflet on bullying and harassment.
Just stay strong and remember that God is with you.
Our government website has good info on this.
https://www.gov.uk/workplace-bullying-and-harassment
Here is what it says about Harassment.
[h=2]The law[/h] Bullying itself isn’t against the law, but harassment is. This is when the unwanted behaviour is related to one of the following:
- age
- sex
- disability
- gender (including gender reassignment)
- marriage and civil partnership
- pregnancy and maternity
- race
- religion or belief
- sexual orientation
You could go running to management first thing, but as a Christian we should try and resolve it through kindness, first tell the atheists, in a loving kind manner how you fell and that you do not appreciate their mocking and ask to stop. If it continues then take it to your manager or whoever is the appropriate person in the company, then tell them that you are being harassed and bullied and you need it sorted, otherwise they will be facing a tribunal.
Here is another section of that website with actions you should take.
[h=2]What employees should do if they’re bullied or harassed[/h] Employees should see if they can sort out the problem informally first. If they can’t, they should talk to their:
- manager
- human resources (HR) department
- trade union representative
They could also call the Acas (Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service) helpline for advice:
Acas helpline
Telephone: 08457 47 47 47
Minicom: 08456 06 16 00
Acas has also produced a guidance leaflet on bullying and harassment.
Just stay strong and remember that God is with you.
J
Love never faileth. It's just the knocking on the door to spit it out, love, and live in the carnal. We all were so called like that once. For there is only one answer to who God is, and the bible says, God is Love. Your a light that shines, and like oil to make the lamp burn, prayer is needed to keep love burning in your heart for these people. They are reading the word, for you are the living epistle, and you are used by him, a light in a dark world.
C
Something you want to always try avoiding, especially as a Christian, is coming off as being judgemental of others and their beliefs ...or making it seem like your beliefs make you superior. If ever you get into a discussion with them, just let them know that even though you my not agree with them, you respect their freedom to have their own set of beliefs, you won't knock it....and ask for the same respect in return.