Archive for The Gathering Place "The Gathering Place" is a web community where people can gather and make new friends, share ideas, enjoy a few laughs and learn about many interesting things together. It is a safe place where friends can correspond with each other about what they love.
I work with a wide variety of people who are quite diverse in their religeous beliefs. While I have never heard any of them argue who is right or wrong I have heard them share what they believe. It has made for some interesting and thought provoking conversations. There are Baptists, Methodists, Catholics, Mormons, Budhists, and a couple of people that follow a version of old Indian worship and a "White Witch"
We also have our resident atheist. This man rants. He raves, He raises his voice to drown out any who do not agree with him. . . . untill last night.
He entered the room ranting about the "Right wing Christians" who in his opinion are destroying HIS country. Then proceeded to rant about how "Christians are always trying to shove their beliefs down peoples throats" and "It ought to be against the law for us to discuss religion outside of our homes"
I let him rant for about 10 minutes. When he stopped for a breath I calmly told him that what really bothers me are Atheists that are always trying to cram their beliefs down my throat. They rant and rave about those who believe in anything and try to criminalize them for quietly discussing their beliefs. They raise their voice and yell "There is no God" and try to force the world to agree with them. They call us names, pass laws that violate our rights to freedom of speech (no prayer in school or God in the pledge of alliegence). They say "don't discuss religion at work" and then enter the room discussing their personal belief that there is no God and all Churches should be banned.
They are avid defenders of THEIR right to be an Atheist but do everything in their power to stiffle and remove the rights of Believers.
I ended by stating "There ought to be a law against Atheists that are always trying to force their opinions on other people"
He stormed out and filed a complaint against me for discrimination! We both had to report in today for review. Within 3 minutes he was ranting again and the interview was over.... I was told "I need to learn to be more tollerant of others and that religeous discussions are inappropriate in the workplace" and he was told to look into anger management classes.
I requested a formal complaint form and wrote that they were discriminating against Christians an all other religions by allowing Athiests to spout their venom freely while supressing our rights to a quiet discussion.
With that I left the office. I doubt it will go any further but if it does they are in for one wild ride because this is one fight I will not shy away from!
God's Warrior
I do hope that it doesn't go any further than that for you, Brenda. It is difficult for me to believe that we have reached this sad point in our country but more and more people are like you and have come face to face with such things. Satan is getting a good hold on things these days and Christians are facing battles that we would have never dreamed would happen only a few short years ago. When our country started tossing God out of so many places in the country, Satan started taking a stand against Christians in those voids and I believe we are only seeing the tip of the iceburg as far as what is in store for us. God help us because I fear that the fight has just begun. "Put on the full armor of God" and fight the good fight. You are in my prayers, my friend. I wonder how many of us can stand up and fight such a fight!!! With God's help, we must give it our best try!
gardenwife
Good grief, what a nutjob. Sorry you have to deal with someone like that at work, Brenda. At least with him ranting in the office, they saw his true colors (not that they don't already know them, I'm sure).
Zanymuse
Well, today was interesting. When he came in to work this afternoon he started ranting about *%#!1&% #&%#$%!*#!! " Religious Nutcases " filing complaints against Him! And that He would not put up with any more "Delusional idiots who can't understand they are morons" That was the tip of his iceberg...He went on for almost 15 minutes! Everyone else in the room just sat there staring at him like a bug under a magnifying glass.
When he wound down they all put complaint forms on the desks and started filling them in. Between them they listed each insult and degrading remark he had made. Then they called the main office and demanded a supervisor come down immediately or they would all walk.
The odd part is that while our "religeous" discussions have taken place outside on breaks his ranting takes place the minute he arrives and it doesn't matter if we are discussing kids,sports, religion or the weather when he starts going off. I suspect he is getting bent out of shape listening to talk radio on his way to work and explodes at us when he arrives. He blames The President and Christians for all the evils in the world.
As of 3:45 this afternoon the gentleman (using the term facetiously) was on unpaid leave pending an investigation into his conduct.
He left screaming he would sue all of us blankety blank "God Kooks" for discrimination and cussing at the top of his lungs and that was AFTER the supervisor arrived and stated that for the record he would be tape recording the interviews!
IF They bring him back and that looks like a big IF it could get very ugly as if it wasn't already ugly!
But between the tape and sworn statements from 7 people from 5 different cultures and religious backgrounds I really do not expect to see him again. But we do all expect him to find a lawyer and try to sue us.
gardenwife
Good gravy (even more serious than good grief). Truer colors have never been shown. What's crazy is, some judges would even allow him in court. That guy's one of those PITA people who stir up trouble wherever they go, I bet. If he's like that at his work, imagine how he is when he's away.
I'm praying for you and your co-workers for safety and peace.
Zanymuse
Thanks GW. We are not afraid of him and even the gal who practices witch craft is fed up with his verbal assaults. If he finds a lawyer and a judge he will be facing some very fed up and determined people in court!
This man seems to be in need of some serious Psychiatric help but he doesn't appear violent just foul mouthed, obnoxious and ignorant.
