Happy Sunday everyone! I’m sure you’ve all just gotten back from Sunday school and church! HA!

The other day a new person commented on HDC. They have recently deconverted (yay!) and shared an uncomfortable story from work:

I recently had an experience today at work which made me so angry, but valuing keeping my job, I held my tongue.

Two hasidic Jews walked into the store I worked at and they were dressed in the typical hasidic style and were carrying around a pillow with Hebrew words on it. One of them approached me and asked me if any of the employees at my store were Jewish. I inferred this to mean that they did not want to do business with a non-Jew. (Today also happens to be their Sabbath so maybe that had something to do with it). I found it inappropriate to ask for many reasons. Firstly I felt insulted that my non-Jewishness somehow taints me from a normal business interaction. 2nd it’s not my business to know my co-worker’s spirtiual beliefs if any. Naturally I wanted to tell them to shove it, but since I’m not looking to be fired, I simply replied with “I’m sorry but I don’t know specifically what my co-worker’s beliefs are”. They looked disappointed and walked away.

Has anyone ever had an uncomfortable experience in the work place regarding either co-workers or customers/clients who frustrated you with either arrogance of their religion or pushing their ideas on you?

It’s a great question they ask. So I’ll ask you:

• Have you had any experiences at work that were frustrating or uncomfortable regarding religion?
• Are you “out of the religious closet” at work?
• Any proselytizing at work?
• Who have you had problems with, if at all? Co-workers? Customers? Bosses?
• Have you said anything in return? If so did you get in trouble for being non-religious?
• On the other hand, have you had any good nonreligious experiences at work? Are you able to be out of the closet?