Bible Study At The Workplace?

ClassicRockr

ClassicRockr

Well-known Member
Did you know that there is no law against it and that employers can't stop an employee from starting a Bible Study as long as it's during their lunch? And, if an employee wants it, and knows a Christian employee that will do it, they can pray together at the workplace, but it has to be done during lunch or a break.

At one company that I worked for, a lady supervisor wanted to start a Bible Study at lunch. She asked me if I would attend and I said "yes", but others that she asked, that she pretty much knew were Christians, said "sorry, no". I talked to a couple of those that said "no" and they told me that they didn't want to be looked at as being "weird" seen walking with a Bible at work, going to the Study. The Bible Study would've been held in the Supervisor's office, with the door closed, but those attending would still have to carry their Bible to her office, past co-workers.

At one job my wife had, a lady there started a Bible Study that was held in a corner of the cafeteria at noon/lunch. My wife attended. I asked her "how's it going" and she said "some people look over at us and give us a strange look because they see the Bibles and can hear some of what's being said."

There was a young girl (early 20's) that worked in our apt. complex office and had a book by Joyce Meyers Ministry at her desk. Sometimes she would forget and leave it out of her desk after reading something in it and management would put it in her desk as soon as they seen it out and she was in the restroom or showing an apartment. She told me that she would get frustrated when she wanted to tell management about something in the book and they didn't want to hear it. She ended up quitting.

Let's see, Bible Study at the workplace? Even though I did say "yes" for attending a start-up one, I'm not totally sure that the workplace is the right place to have this. Just like, I'm not totally sure that praying at the workplace should take place.

Your thoughts
 

I think it divides people actually. So the Christians, the Jewish workers and the Muslim workers are all holding little prayer meetings in the rooms/cafes?It could end up like this. Far better to have tables of people of different faiths[and no faiths] all mingling together and chatting in their lunch breaks.Anyone can say their own prayers in their heads at work, if they want to.
 

I don't care what others want to do....so long as it is not MANDATORY to attend. I have worked for religious institutions for 30 years... The Catholics hold Mass at lunch... The protestants have prayer meetings... BUT I have never been told I have to participate. So whatever..

It does bug me that every meeting is started off with a prayer... and everyone is asked to bow their heads... so I do... and plan my grocery list. They simply cannot make me participate..
 
oakapple said:
I think it divides people actually. So the Christians, the Jewish workers and the Muslim workers are all holding little prayer meetings in the rooms/cafes?It could end up like this. Far better to have tables of people of different faiths[and no faiths] all mingling together and chatting in their lunch breaks.Anyone can say their own prayers in their heads at work, if they want to.
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I agree.
 
oakapple said:
I think it divides people actually. So the Christians, the Jewish workers and the Muslim workers are all holding little prayer meetings in the rooms/cafes?It could end up like this. Far better to have tables of people of different faiths[and no faiths] all mingling together and chatting in their lunch breaks.Anyone can say their own prayers in their heads at work, if they want to.
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Couldn't agree more..
 
Many companies give a PAID lunch - I wonder how that would affect this?

Also, holding a Bible study session on company property - even if during an unpaid lunch - raises some questions.
 
SifuPhil said:
Many companies give a PAID lunch - I wonder how that would affect this?

Also, holding a Bible study session on company property - even if during an unpaid lunch - raises some questions.
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Agree, not on company property - but any group can have their 'meetings' off site - maybe in a nearby fast food court or restaurant. Other workers shouldn't have to be exposed to this type of - for lack of a better description - 'religious harassment'.
 
oakapple said:
I think it divides people actually. So the Christians, the Jewish workers and the Muslim workers are all holding little prayer meetings in the rooms/cafes?It could end up like this. Far better to have tables of people of different faiths[and no faiths] all mingling together and chatting in their lunch breaks.Anyone can say their own prayers in their heads at work, if they want to.
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I agree. Maybe it's better in a private room with a closed door, than in a community break room where others are affected. I guess those christians wouldn't mind the table next to them studying satanism...but I highly doubt it.

Problem with that too, is that it doesn't shut off automatically when it's time to go back to work, the conversations continue. Nothing more annoying than a born again who insists on preaching and putting bible verses in every paragraph that comes out of their mouth.

I've have several experiences with such christians, was too polite to stop it at first, but quickly realized I needed to set them straight in their conversations with me. In that case it's freedom from religion in the workplace, as it does have a negative effect on other employees.

*CR- Sometimes she would forget and leave it out of her desk after reading something in it and management would put it in her desk as soon as they seen it out and she was in the restroom or showing an apartment. She told me that she would get frustrated when she wanted to tell management about something in the book and they didn't want to hear it. She ended up quitting.
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That's the problem in the nutshell, they can't keep it to themselves without pushing it on all around them. That has been my observation over the years.
 
When the various religions come to my door, I ask them how they would like an atheist at their door trying to lecture them. That is usually met with a "have a nice day, sir' and a hasty retreat. Why can't people have their beliefs without trying to drag others into it?
 
One of those born agains put a bunch of pamphlets from his church in our lunch room, there were several complaints and they were promptly removed by management. Funny, this employee had nothing but hateful things to say about the manager and his religion, which was Mormon. Yes Marty, actions do speak very loud!
 
AZ Jim said:
When the various religions come to my door, I ask them how they would like an atheist at their door trying to lecture them. That is usually met with a "have a nice day, sir' and a hasty retreat. Why can't people have their beliefs without trying to drag others into it?
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Because part of the instructions in the New Testament is to go out and "spread the Word" So they feel they are just doing what is being required of them.

http://www.endtime.com/blog/5-bible-verses-sharing-word-god/
 
Well evangelism doesn't work with me. My beliefs in that regard are not influenced by those who try and sell me on their beliefs. I respect their beliefs I want the same.
 
Unless everyone agrees.
We had a special smoking room. All the non-smokers ate lunch in there so they would not miss anything.
Someone complained and the company threw out all the smokers.
This would probably happen with a bible study or whatever.
 
I've never believed that the work-place is an opportunity to witness about you beliefs (spiritual). I've always felt it's easier, and more effective to "show" your beliefs, like kindness, helpfulness, dedication, smiles. Asking someone if they want to come to a biblestudy after work-hours seems a better idea. People are so torn about religion today, and some of that (maybe most or all) is because of religious folks actions. I understand not ALL "christians" or "followers of Christ" are doing anti-Christ-like things, but the un-religious "see" much better sometimes, then "hear", at least I am so much that way (maybe not the best way to be but it's me) that I picked up way more of what I saw in churches, then what I heard.
 
Who in the heck is "dragging"? Don't agree with your thinking about what they are doing! They came to your door respectably and left the same way. What's so darn bad about that? BTW, it's not just religious people who can knock on your door, it's salesman, high school students wanting people to sign up to support the sport their in and on and on. So, let's not pick on religious people for doing what others do........trying to talk you into something you don't want.

AZ Jim said:
When the various religions come to my door, I ask them how they would like an atheist at their door trying to lecture them. That is usually met with a "have a nice day, sir' and a hasty retreat. Why can't people have their beliefs without trying to drag others into it?
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Just remember what my original post said..........there is no law against having a Bible Study in the workplace and an employer can't refuse a person to start one. If the employer wants a nice Law Suit put into action against him, just say to the person who wants to start a Bible Study, "not in my company." It's one thing not being able to get enough people to attend a Bible Study at the workplace, it's an entirely different thing when the employer says "no, you can't do that here". I wouldn't want to be an employer telling an employee that!
 
ClassicRockr said:
Who in the heck is "dragging"? Don't agree with your thinking about what they are doing! They came to your door respectably and left the same way. What's so darn bad about that? BTW, it's not just religious people who can knock on your door, it's salesman, high school students wanting people to sign up to support the sport their in and on and on. So, let's not pick on religious people for doing what others do........trying to talk you into something you don't want.
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Actually, no one is allowed in my building unless they live here or are guests or tradespeople. Everyone else including salespeople and donation seekers are 'soliciting' and unless they have permission to be here, are trespassing. So the religious prosethelizers banging on our doors are a nuisance and not supposed to be here. I see them trying to recruit people into what I consider to be a cult.
 
We disagree but that's ok....it is supposed to be that way in a free society. Like I said, I don't go to their door and I don't want them at mine.
 

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