Oil and Water: Faith-based Fanaticism Forbidden

06 February 2011

Faith-based Fanaticism Forbidden

I recently had to take an on-line ethics course at work. Most of the information was pretty standard -- no unwanted sexual talk, no bullying, etc. In each type of harassment, the summary message was to not do anything that could even be construed as harassment. Stay away from anything that might make people uncomfortable. If in doubt, don't go there. In addition to the standard types of harassment, there was also a screen about "religious harassment".

The message is that religion can be a form of harassment. What are the conditions that make some event religious harassment?

frequently speaking about your religion
speaking negatively about other religions
criticizing a person's lifestyle with the intention of changing it
causing depression in others by sharing a pessimistic worldview

This is a bit scary. It means that people who are deeply religious can not express that part of their personality. We are supposed to keep our religion to ourselves. This contradicts what Jesus said about being "the light of the world". Next, it seems like proselyzing is forbidden if it makes people feel bad. Jesus calls us to "go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you" (Matthew 28:19-20). That's not really a passive command. It can be forward. It can be "in your face". It can be offensive. If we truly obey Jesus, will we harass people? Maybe. On the other hand, maybe we need to know when to "shake the dust off your feet" and move on.

What about criticizing people's lifestyles? It is impossible to know exactly what happened in this case. Maybe the religious person was making derogatory comments about a woman who liked to wear plunging necklines or had short hair. That sounds like something the average person would not appreciate. On the other hand, what if the religious person offered wise and loving advice to a person who was engaging in self-destructive behavior. Just because the advice was sprinkled with religious terminology makes it wrong? Again, it depends on what really happened. Hopefully, the religious person was truly over-zealous and pharasaical. Otherwise, this country will lose the curbe that keeps it from going completely godless.

Finally, the last point could be another example of spin. Why was the religious person's worldview described as "pessimistic"? Did the religious person consider him or herself pessimistic? Did other people or just the "victim" of the harassment? Is a Christian worldview pessimistic? Of course, Christians believe that their worldview is the only true optimistic viewpoint.

If the world can redefine Christianity as a pessimistic worldview that is depressing, critical, and negative, more and more Christians will be criticized for living their faith. Will we have to choose between living our lives the way Jesus told us and keeping our job? Will we be persecuted for our love for others? If so, I hope and pray that I can keep my faith and be strong in the Lord.

4 comments:

EOE11 February, 2011 08:28
Wow! I am really surprised that they included this in your training. I fully expect and pray that you will "harrass" people at work in this category.

I also thought it was strange to call Chrisianity a "pessimistic worldview." Pretty sure it is the opposite--as long as you are a believer, I guess.
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Denise11 February, 2011 14:27
The excerpt, "taken together..." made me think that a single acton did get the individual in trouble, but several different types. My experience has been that most people tolerate some religious discussion in the workplace. My thinking is that some people are overbearing about their religious beliefs and that can turn away a potential believer.
I do not want non-Christians or even over-the-top Christians engaging me in religious dicussion. I don't want them teaching my children either.
If the individual cannot control themselves, then maybe it is harrassment. A lot depends on workplace culture.
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Denise12 February, 2011 13:55
P.S. The pessimistic point of view of the world can come from anyone. So I don't see the connection.

Recently, a guy in my office (fairly new) unexpectedly came to me to share with me about finding a new church and finding out about a mission organization in his church that he had been wanting to become active in. He was excited to share with someone so I encouraged him and off he went. His office is across the hall. We continue greeting each other and exchanging small talk, but no more on religion.

In the workplace I see religious cards on desks and hear occasional religious talk but not to press people. The business setting is different as people don't have a choice to stay or walk away.
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Ken Becker13 February, 2011 14:16
Denise,

Thanks for the comments. I tried to say in the post that the religious person was probably a pest. I agree that I would not want someone continuously pushing their views on me whether they were religious or about buying American-made vehicles or whatever.

On the other hand, over the last few years, I've been feeling like I should be more obvious about where my help comes from. When people give me a complement, maybe I should be saying, "praise the Lord" instead of acting like I had anything to do with my success.

In James, God says that we should talk about what God's will is compared to thinking we can actually make plans. Its about trusting God.

How would I act if I really believed that I am a stranger on earth and that heaven is my home? How would I act if I believed that everything I have is transitory and garbage compared with what is coming? How would I act if I believed that people who don't know Jesus have a lower quality of life not to mention that they will spend an eternity in hell?

I suppose I would be more outspoken about what I believe and how I live my life. So, why don't I?
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Why I blog.

Here is a parable that represents what I hope this blog will be about. It is an excerpt from The Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan.

"Then I saw the Interpreter take Christian by the hand and lead him into a place where was a fire burning against a wall, and one standing by it, always casting much water upon it, to quench it; yet did the fire burn higher and hotter.

Christian: What means this?

Interpreter: This fire is God’s work of grace in the heart. He who casts water upon it to put it out, is the devil; but you shall see why in spite of the water it still burns. So he led him to the other side of the wall, where he saw a man with a vessel of oil in his hand, which oil he continually cast, but secretly, into the fire.

Christian: What means this?

Interpreter: This is Christ, who continually, with the oil of His grace, maintains the work already begun in the heart. So in spite of what the devil can do, grace never dies out in the heart. The man behind the wall to keep the fire is to teach thee that it is hard for the tempted to see how this work of grace is kept alive in the soul."