Religion in Colorado (Denver: land, racist, best)

[wanttomoveeast]

So Katy, I completely sympathize!! I've had tons of those unwanted conversations at work, it totally annoys me. My husband had the same thing, only it was a huge mormon population and they were all the execs, leaving all the non-mormons as underlings. The execs also got all the perks.

My work is very large, and there are all kinds of religions. Most are very respectful and not a lot of talk there. I mostly get the talk from the neo-Christians, and the Mormons are pretty loud too.

[tfox]

I haven't noticed this, and I've worked in many places. I personally try to make a rule to avoid any talk about controversial on the job, and am usually evasive if the topic comes up. Unfortunately, I've observed that there are some in the workplace who WILL hold their co-workers' personal beliefs against them. That's why I find evasion of such topics strategically wise, though I say that with a bit of regret.

On the other hand, I get a bit nervous when I hear that certain topics should be "off-limits" at work, including politics or religion. The last thing I want is for "big brother" to police water-cooler conversation at work -- I think there's WAY too much of thought-police in the workplace already. The thought of workplace censorship makes me far more queasy than any annoyance I might face from the tactless exercise of free speech.

[Josseppie]

I only notice that in Colorado Springs....

[DenverAztec]

I haven't had any recent experiences of this at work here in Denver. Since the 80's, the companies I have worked for have all had diversity training annually. From a managerial perspective, we want to avoid law suits and we want a place where our employees are focused on productivity in a comfortable environment. Whether it is religion, politics, gender issues, gay rights, etcs...if it make others uncomfortable, then it has no place in the work environment. You are there to work, not express your opinions or beliefs.

Ask any HR professional about what is appropriate to ask during an interview, same professional respect should be maintained during employment. Basically, you never ask a potential employee about personal beliefs or opinions and same is practiced once they are hired.

That being said, if your co-workers ask you about your personal life and you want to share, then that is up to you. I can recall all the delimma with Amendment 2 in 1992 at work and then most recently the Ted Haggard scandal. These types of topics don't really identify someone's diversity, yet we all have opinions about such issues.

Sadly, when those in management make their religious and political views obvious it creates an uncomfortable environment for those on the other side of the fence. Generally in those companies with such environments, it gets worse as one moves up the ladder and only those with like opinions really progress.

[jjacobeclark]

It seemed like those wacky Jesus freaks were everywhere on the Auraria Campus. They stand near the light rail station. They set up informational booths in the Tivoli. They wait outside the library. They are everywhere.

[downtownnola]

I haven't had too many experiences with people throwing their religion in my face. For a while, I had a boss that constantly talked about her religious beleifs, but everyone else in the office just ignored her. In my experience, she was a rare case. I guess it just depends on where you work.

[TeamFoster]

I've been told more than once I was "going to hell" by people at work because I wasn't part of their church. I didn't know there was a difference around the country. Interesting. Since I read the bible twice through before I was out of high school they don't make much headway quoting scripture at me. Frustrating for them though kind of fun to watch. Since I work with a lot of very politically conservative people I just keep my head down. I much prefer the liberals who are much more accepting don't expect me to agree with them.

[Katiana]

When I was very new at my office, I told someone we were going to Chicago to look at a Lutheran college for my daughter. She looked at me as if I had said we were visitng a Pagan college or something. I work in a very right-wing Christian office. I usually just keep my mouth shut.

My previous jobs were at heatlh departments, where I sometimes felt like I was the only one who went to church, and the only one who was happily married.

Outside of my present workplace, I haven't had too many experiences with people trying to shove relgion in my face. We live near a Mormon church; there are a lot of Mormons in Louisville; my kids have been friends with and dated Mormons, and it's mostly been "live and let live".

[mczabe]

Originally Posted by chilaili

Never really noticed the religious thing but as a bleeding-heart liberal surrounded at work but diehard republicans . . . politics for sure!

You and my husband need to switch jobs. He kept getting surrounded by bleeding-heart liberals.

As far as religion, I haven't really been aware of anyone discussing anything religious thus far. But in shopping around for a church this fall, I couldn't get over how every single minister managed to work the Broncos into the sermon. 5 different churches, 2 religions - every one mentioned them...including one children's choir that sang a song while waving Broncos flags.

[zenkonami]

Our Broncos, who art in Denver,
Hallowed be our team...

What?! You were all thinking it...