Prayer in the workplace?

[Jak]

I don't really mean for this to turn into one of the many BG religious debates I so often lurk through, but I have a question.

Twice now I, along with 2,000 other corporate/management level people, have received e-mails from the vice president of my company asking to pray for one reason or another.

Granted this is for a good reason if you're Christian (myself being Pagan, I guess), is this common? I don't think it's illegal but it just seems out of place I guess sending it to every high level/mid level employee in a company with 20,000+ people. The e-mail reads like this..

"Hello,
As many of you may have heard a fellow associate of ours and very dear friend to me [name withheld] and 10 year old son [name withheld] was struck by an SUV on his way to the school bus this morning. The outcome looks very grave at this point. The [name withheld] family needs all of our prayers. Please pass this along to everyone that you know. Through the power of prayer anything & everything is possible.


Thanks to you all"

As you can see it's obviously a tragic/sad event.. but was it out of place? Or was my co-worker who I'm debating with right in saying they can send it to whoever they want regardless of belief?

I guess I could reply back saying I'll light a candle/incense for them? ijdk..


Edit: Just for reference, I am NOT offended. It was a debate between me and a co-worker. If I were offended I would have went to HR, lol.

[Cream Soda]

Should reply saying that you'll pour some liquor for them

[Eaglestrike]

In that context, I think anyone complaining about it has serious issues with religion. If they're sending out e-mails telling everyone to pray for their stocks to go up...whoever is sending the e-mail has issues.

[Mizango]

Should reply saying that you'll pour some liquor for them

lmao

[The Stig]

I take "prayers" in the context that he wants us to think about the incident and the people involved, not actually praying to god and such.

i.e. the 2 minute silence in the UK yesterday to honor the people who died during D-day

[Woozie]

I don't really mean for this to turn into one of the many BG religious debates

It will.

[Boyiee]

I think the "through the power of prayer" line shouldn't be used, most things I see like this end with "our thoughts and prayers are with them" which works with what TheStig posted.

[Mizango]

The power of prayer.

[Mizango]

Ask your boss for routine updates.

[510Meeze]

Reply: Allahu Akbar

[Egnirys]

Prayer is not specific to religion at all, especially not Christianity.

I know under these circumstances that the VP is probably religious somewhat but ultimately everyone is capable of prayer these days.

I think "please keep them in our thoughts" or something similar might be a better choice, but I pray for friends and the like in dire situations and I'm pretty much agnostic.

[Meat]

I don't really mean for this to turn into one of the many BG religious debates I so often lurk through, but I have a question.

Twice now I, along with 2,000 other corporate/management level people, have received e-mails from the vice president of my company asking to pray for one reason or another.

Granted this is for a good reason if you're Christian (myself being Pagan, I guess), is this common? I don't think it's illegal but it just seems out of place I guess sending it to every high level/mid level employee in a company with 20,000+ people. The e-mail reads like this..

"Hello,
As many of you may have heard a fellow associate of ours and very dear friend to me [name withheld] and 10 year old son [name withheld] was struck by an SUV on his way to the school bus this morning. The outcome looks very grave at this point. The [name withheld] family needs all of our prayers. Please pass this along to everyone that you know. Through the power of prayer anything & everything is possible.


Thanks to you all"

As you can see it's obviously a tragic/sad event.. but was it out of place? Or was my co-worker who I'm debating with right in saying they can send it to whoever they want regardless of belief?

I guess I could reply back saying I'll light a candle/incense for them? ijdk..

It's out of place when you're a 5 year old and a teacher is telling you to pray. Hopefully now that you're an adult you can discern what's applicable to you and what's not. Do you make be threads every time there's an email about maintenance in the girl's bathroom?

[Boyiee]

Prayer is not specific to religion at all, especially not Christianity.

I know under these circumstances that the VP is probably religious somewhat but ultimately everyone is capable of prayer these days.

I think "please keep them in our thoughts" or something similar might be a better choice, but I pray for friends and the like in dire situations and I'm pretty much agnostic.

Are you gnostic or agnostic? theist or atheist?

IT BEGINS!

[Jak]

That's the thing, it wasn't my boss lol. It was my bosses bosses bosses boss.. 13 states away.

And yah, saying "Keep him in your thoughts" is okay.. "By the power of God I compell you..." types of things are wtf though.

edit: and asking if I make threads about.. girls maintenance, wut? This is like the third thread or fourth I've ever made? And the first with any religious context at that..

[Izzy]

Call out of work and tell your boss you are praying per the VP's orders. Turn this into a winning situation for you!

[The Stig]

APPARENTLY the UK version of Wal-Mart (Asda) here forces you to sing songs along the lines of "Asda is great!~~" before work.

Not sure if it's a myth but that's what I had a few people told me back in school and from teachers too.

[Altanass]

i would only have issues with the email if the vice president is putting it down as work done and claiming for it.

[Maguspk]

It's not out of place, you're reaching if you want it to be. If you take offense you have bigger issues than a boss sending you 'religious' emails. lol

[Mizango]

It's not out of place, you're reaching if you want it to be. If you take offense you have bigger issues than a boss sending you 'religious' emails. lol

Put the shoe on the other foot, it does go both ways I guess this guy has issues too right? I mean besides the obvious.

BBC NEWS | UK | England | Hampshire | Man refuses to drive 'No God' bus

[Mizango]

What's good for the goose if good for the gander no?