Boss-led "fellowship" with prayer "...in Jesus Christ, our lord's name Amen"

[Anonymous]

Gov. office. My second day. Employees gathered in conference room middle of the morning. Boss says we are taking time for "fellowship" and hands the floor over to another employee to "lead us in prayer" which concluded with "... in Jesus Christ, our lord's name. Amen." Then there was food catered by one of the employees who does this as a side business.

I grew up Christian (i.e. Catholic), go to church infrequently, and am not a strong believer in religion at all. I have had many former co-workers/friends who were Jewish and worked in offices where no one lead prayer in a work function.

Would this freak you out? I felt very uncomfortable to say the least.

[Anonymous]

I would be FREAKED out. Totally inappropriate.

[Anonymous]

Isn't that illegal in a government office?

[Anonymous]

I'm a Christian, but this is unacceptable.

Is this some sort of Christian "social" group that is allowed to pray, fellowship, etc? Or was this a general work meeting?

[Anonymous]

They're allowed to gather and pray if they want, but you can't be forced to be there and it shouldn't be part of a work activity...so if it was the beginning of a work meet that all employees were asked to attend, that's pretty messed up.

[Anonymous]

Problems not only with the prayer but with the catering if it's paid for with government funds.

[Anonymous]

OP, call the Inspector General of your agency. He/she should have an anonymous tip line.

[Anonymous]

since it appeared to be an official meeting of some sort, it's totally inappropriate, esp with the boss seeming to lead it. Could give the appearance (if not fact) of favoring religious employees over non-religious ones.

[Anonymous]

I was rounded up as they were all heading to the conference room and I was told we were getting together (for what I thought was a staff meeting). This was not a small group of people taking a break for 15 min. to have a little Bible study. This was the entire staff. The "meeting" was lead by the supervisor. There were 20 people there (I estimate). We were expected to bow our heads and "pray" as one of the co-workers did a prayer thanking God for having a job and being together to share this time, etc.

[Anonymous]

I would report this. Totally unacceptable.

[Anonymous]

why does it bother you? what is wrong with fellowship and meditation? who was harmed?

[Anonymous]

Next time explain that this is not within what you believe. If 20 people are going without a problem and actually enjoy this, why complain? Don't attend since it is optional.

[Anonymous]

I felt very uncomfortable having to "pray" (or look like I was praying) as part of my workday. I am not so sure about praying "to Jesus Christ" even though I grew up with that type of prayer in church/catholic school. I am not really sure where I am with religion right now (agnostic? perhaps) but I bristle at having others assume that I believe the exact same as they do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:why does it bother you? what is wrong with fellowship and meditation? who was harmed?

I'm not the OP but it bothers me. I'm religious (not that it matters) but there are multiple things wrong with this. First, a boss leading the others is a real problem--what if you're not religious? What if you want to opt out? You don't think it will affect you in any way? In any case, appearances matter. Leading prayer during business hours, in the office will definitely look like an endorsement of some kind for those who participate.

Do you think they counted this as work time on their time sheet?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:why does it bother you? what is wrong with fellowship and meditation? who was harmed?

Great, so can we do Wicca next week?