Well, since the boss doesn’t feel like addressing the situation, why not make a game out of it? Get an office pool together, answer all the questions, and see who’s on the steepest slope to hell. Make it into a big office joke. Nothing gets to people like having their very serious beliefs ridiculed.
That’s not actually serious advice… but you already tried to address it in a mature way. I wouldn’t blame you for doing that, but I’m not sure how much longer you’d be employed either.
I realize you were trying to make a joke. However…
believe it. Depending on where he is in California, it’s more likely than not.
I worked for a Fundamentalist company when I lived in Thousand Oaks, California. Because my immediate boss wasn’t a hyperactive proselytizer, and because we were in a separate building from the main company, I only had to deal with this shit at office parties.
But it definitely happens.
Draw devil horns on top of GW’s head. Pointy goatee and evil eyes are optional.
Color the whole head red.
Cross out all references to God and substitute Satan.
Hang on your cubicle/office wall and wait for damnation to ensue.
See this Thread–
Get the idea?
I dealt with a superior intent on religious proselytizing one summer at a job. At first I ignored it, eventually I started to say that I didn’t care to discuss it, and I finally went to his boss and complained.
I should have said something earlier. In my case, his bosses were the owners of the company, who I had a family tie to, so I knew they would take me seriously. What kept me from complaining for so long was my desire to not be the annoying kid who runs to authority to fix all his problems. After I mentioned this, they talked to the other employees, found that this guy was generally a jerk, and he eventually got fired (I’m not sure why. I just know that the next summer, he wasn’t there, and everyone was happier).
This was in California. It was even in a pretty liberal part of California.
Has no one suggested you put a Flying Spaghetti Monster brochure on his desk?
Ha! I came in here to suggest this.
Gays are a protected class in California, right? So if he starts to give you shit for that, you have the law on your side, am I right?
Origami Darwin fish.
Jeeves: “Can I talk to you for a minute?”
Idjit: “Sure.”
J: “About this pamphlet you left on my desk.”
I: “Yes?”
J: “Well, what’s the definition of sex?”
I: “…”
J: “See, cause I’m I flaming 'mo, and I reeeeeeally like the cock. I mean I love it!”
I: “Buh, buh, buh…”
J: “I like to get it in my mouth and just swirl that big old meatsicle around like it’s an all day sucker, I tells ya!”
I: (Should be coughing up blood by now)
J: “And as a dedicated bottom, I’ve never actually given anal joy to another man, but boy oh boy I’ve been ridden hard and put away wet a few times! Giddyap!”
I: (faints)
J: “Gotcha ya.”
1st “offense”: turn the other cheek (use their own strategy against them)
2nd Offense: Give the item in question back to the person and say, kindly “I am sure that you could find someone interested in this sort of thing, thank you for thinking of me, but it is not something I need or want.”
3rd Offense: " Return Item with note: "if you continue to place these items on my desk, I will have to resort to a response in keeping with our company policy
4th Offense: Resort to company policy.
You are an intern, seeking continued employment with this company. One thing you must demonstrate is the ability to work with others, and not to rely on corporate dynamics to solve every little challange you encounter.
Your challenge: Find a way to work with the guy, while maintaining your own focus and purpose.
Only if all else fails, then it becomes a bullying/harassment issue. I do suggest you document each “incident” incase you ever have to lodge a complaint - ie, photo copy all materials before returning them, and document, date and comment on the situation/event(s).
best of luck
FML
Day 1: “I serve Cthulhu, who will one day awaken and eat the world!”
Day 2: Provide details on Cthulhu.
Day 3: “Have you read those pamplets I left you? Oh I know you’re a Christian and all that, but if you have to be eaten by an Elder God, I’d like you to consider being eaten by Cthulhu.”
Day 4-99: “You know, Cthulhu still wants to eat you!”
Day 100: “Hey, I’m going to be performing a ritual to wake Great Cthulhu this weekend while the stars are right. Would you mind coming over, slathering yourself with barbeque sauce and serving as the sacrifice? That’d be great. I’d really appreciate it. You are a virgin, aren’t you?”
Day 101+ Evil glares and cracks about how he’s too selfish to serve as a sacrifice in order to wake Cthulhu and allow him to eat the World.
Am I reading this right? You are an intern now, and will be a part-time employee soon?
In that case, you have only 2 realistic choices at this point. And there won’t be any more options for some time to come. Shut up or leave.
I suppose there might be a third option, if you got this internship through an educational institution… Complain to THEM. they might have some clout with the employer – who knows, federal or state subsidies might be involved, and you might be indirectly covered by some anti-discrimination or anti-harassment laws.
I would suggest something along the lines of this without the “Thanks for the interest”. Just tell him directly that you don’t want to be bothered at work with such things.
Yes, I always make it clear to religious nuts that I DO NOT discuss religion. Period. Fortunately, I am not surrounded by Christians in Thailand, and the few who are here have the good sense to keep quiet.
But I’d just that note on your desk away myself and wait to see if it was a one-off first.
If it were me, I might consider taking him aside and gently explaining that I prefer not to discuss my religion in the workplace and I consider my faith to be a matter between me and God. I might also consider looking into getting another job.
If you want to respond in kind, though, you could try printing out Matthew 7:21-23 as a counter. It runs like this:
As a liberal Christian who runs with Wiccans, atheists, etc. I find that a useful reminder that I may not be as right as I like to think I am. I don’t know how well it works against proselytizers, though.
Almost certainly not.
But failing to complain, and create a record, means that the tenth incident may be the “first” as far as management is concerned. So letting this go with no comment means that the clock hasn’t started ticking.
Bricker is correct. If ten people have a problem and only one person complains, management will mark it as an isolated incident not worthy of their time.