Faith-based Work and Sza Triggers

School and Work
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So, as some of you may know, I’m sza and I don’t have a religion. I don’t like religion because it is a trigger to my sza, as well as problematic for constitutional reasons that I won’t get into. My new work is Christian and everyone goes to a mini mass ceremony at the end of the day. I have the option to not go, but I’m used to living a double life, so I just sit there and listen. It does stress me out, though. they talk about doing things “contrary to God” and stuff and I’m like whoaaa let’s not get into constitutional-violation land here, but I can’t say anything because the company owner is a Catholic.

I don’t see myself long term here, I’m just here for a year or two until I can find work at a non-religious company, but I’m stuck until that time. I love my coworkers, but the fact that religion is permeating the entire work place bugs me.

The boss man says that God talked to him and I’m like gee, when I said that I got anti-psychotics. When you say that, you started a business. It’s all very surreal to me; the things they believe can be interpreted as borderline psychotic.

However you feel about religion, I’m sure you know that thinking God is literally speaking to you is a major warning sign of psychosis and for me, being around that kind of talk is triggering.

How should I approach these people? I am not religious anymore,due to sza. I do not believe God talks directly to me. I do not think it is even healthy to believe that, maybe you disagree, but to me it’s like, well when I said that, I got hospitalized, so why aren’t these people getting that treatment? Normies are often not as normal as I give them credit for. :expressionless:

I appreciate their devotion to a faith and will respect it, but it makes me uber uncomfortable and makes me think they discriminate against folks of other devotions or sexual orientations. My cousins are gay, so that would make me angry if they try to push anti-gay rhetoric down my throat (haven’t yet, but it’s on my mind). Anyways, just venting…it’s been a long 2.5 weeks lol.

I just playact around them. Sit and listen to scripture, nod my head and then leave when they’re done with their mini confessionals. We’ll see how it goes.

If you aren’t religious, how would you deal with a faith-based workplace? Would you make a beeline for the door or would you try to stick it out? I didn’t realize it was faith-based until the interview when the bossman told me god had spoken to him and then I was like ohhh, but it was too late, I got the job and I was poor so I had no choice but to accept it. Thanks for reading!

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I couldn’t do it. Good luck to your patience with these folks.

You raise some good questions. Why aren’t they getting our treatment?
I can answer from my own experience being surrounded by Christians most of my life, and can say there definitely is a difference between schizophrenia and delusional faith.
Devoted Christians do have a form of extrapolation from nothingness which wrongly proves their faith to them time and time again. That is what I consider to be the closest they get to where we are… but it’s still different, namely because they don’t base further thoughts, reality, and paradigms, from that… atleast again… not in the same way. They are mentally strong in a way we aren’t.

My 2 cents

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I have other strong feelings regarding religion but will refrain from displaying them since it’s not accepted to have heated religious discussions here.

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thanks, that’s why I angled this from a constitutional perspective, like that which violates the constitution is not okay, and that is what terrifies me the most about this job. So thank you, for not going into that territory.

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I am not religious at all, but if I had to pretend to be a Christian so I could work in job I enjoyed, I would.

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I feel for you HQuinn, I don’t have any good worthwhile advice on this one, unfortunately, but I do understand your perspective and how this situation can be triggering. It would make me uncomfortable, too, I’ve suffered from numerous religious delusions that almost led me to suicide. My most recent pdoc advised me against serious bible study. I’ve taken this advice and am doing better now. I know you’ll work it out somehow; you’re uber cool. :slight_smile:

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I couldn’t do it. I laugh at inappropriate times and have a bad habit of laughing at people when they talk about religion. It’s not intentional, but since everyone knows I’m an atheist it just makes it awkward.

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Mini confessionals sounds like a bit much…

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Maybe try to see past the “religion” in it and see it as a sociological construct that’s trying to promote something positive. When they say god you could hear universe or higher power or nature. The ideology doesn’t have to bog you down if you just listen to the message.

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I don’t know if I could handle that every day.

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It is triggering for me too. My sister is religious and she has told me god spoke to her too. I don’t judge her and she is not psychotic, but i think there is a way to interpret and believe things like these people do. My sister tells me only jesus will change my life one day… i only say let’s hope so…

You are strong for doing this but think of it this way. They have found something a purpose which works well for them.

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Okay, I will be respectful to their beliefs while maintaining a polite distance. I will just cope with my own triggers privately, like to by venting to my mother or something…I really do love what I do!

Thank you everyone for the advice!

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@HQuinn, I’m happy that you really like what you do. You can always vent to us, as well. I enjoy your posts. :slight_smile:

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