Repair Man Proselytizing

If he spent more time talking about the book than actually repairing the phone line, then yes, he’s going too far. Personally, I’d just tell him to shut up and fix it, but then I’m a rude SOB.

Otherwise, I’d limit myself to giving him strange looks. That’s pretty much what I do for other ridiculous stuff mentioned off-the-cuff (UFOs, spirits, astrology, etc.).

Knowing me, I would have just gone along with what he was saying. Though I’d have been thoroughly creeped out, and feeling extremely uncomfortable. But I put up with stuff like that pretty often.
And, yes, I do believe that’s going way too far.

Wait until he’s finished fixing everything, then whip out God Is Not Great.

Pushy attempts to get people to change their beliefs, whether by theist or atheist, it s form of intellectual terrorism.

I actually enjoy talking to people about religion, but when they try to convert me then they’re saying I’m not entitled to my belief. (Yes, I understand that non-belief is not the same thing as belief)

When he pulled out the book, I’d say I’m not interested, and really need the repair done. If he insists on pushing, I might weasel and say I have work to attend to, and walk away. I would definitely call his supervisor and email his company’s home office, because that crap is wrong on so many levels.

When this first happened to me in a similar situation, I was so shocked I just nodded and waited for him to run out of steam. Now, I’m not nearly so surprised, and have learned to cut ’em off at the pass. You know the code words; his were “the most important history book I’ve ever read”. Interrupt right there before he gets any further, and get him back on the track of repair.

My response would have been to thank him for his concern but then say that I do not appreciate his using company time to forward his personal religious agenda. I would ask for the name of his supervisor, ask if there was a direct number with which I could contact him and, while he was still there, proceed to call.

I would explain to the supervisor what his employee had done and ask what sort of disciplinary action might be taken in such a case. (Note, that I am not demanding disciplinary action, I am merely inquiring what procedures the company has in place to address customer complaints.)

Should that answer not be satisfactory, I would inform them that I will likely be contacting a rival company and changing my service provider.

This is not about getting the guy fired. It’s about making sure he is properly trained in company policies and procedures which should have rules in place restricting this sort of behavior. If those rules are not in place, then the company has failed and, given the option, I will take my business elsewhere.

This is why I don’t make a lot of small talk with people I’m paying to do a specific, short-term service.

I would call his supervisor and complain. Not only is he bringing something you didn’t ask for into your home, but he’s using paid company time to preach. There are multiple reasons his employer would not want that to happen.

Well i would probably put up wih it and seethe. Or be very very no-small talk( not difficult, I do it often). But it is inappropriate- and I guess I would follow what people are suggesting- call up supervisor, mention I am an atheist- post his fixing up the Internet.

I had a cat setter that I used for a few years. I knew she was a devout Christian, but I wasn’t going to hold that against her. Then she left a Bible Lesson on my table, and said it was the one of the greatest gifts of all.

I’m going to be looking for a new cat sitter this holiday season.

It was highly unprofessional and unethical to promote his personal, religious views while on the clock and while wearing his employer’s uniform. He should, most decidedly, be reported before someone more litigious gets the next earful of his “book report”.

They let you own guns in America don’t they?

I’m not suggesting that you make him work by pulling a piece on him (I’ve watched Hill Street Blues, I know the lingo) but talking about your gun must be the fastest way to get someone out of your house that there is.

Repairman: “You know how I was talking about how I like history? I wanted to show you a book that’s the most important history book I’ve ever read.”

Crazed Gun Wielding Atheist: “Was it the history of firearms? I have a gun” *twitch twitch*

…of course, he could have a gun too…

Nah, forget it, bad idea.

I think the repairman’s ham-handed attempt to “spread the word” is both in poor taste and unethical. Not to mention insulting — do I have a scarlet A on me somewhere?

But with that said, I realize my views on religion (not committed to being an atheist but not a hopeful believer anymore; “agnostic” is the closest) make me a minority in the South. I probably would have said, “It’s kind of you to want to share something that’s important to you. Do you do this with all your customers, or was there something about me that prompted you?” After he answered, I’d say, “Let’s see if there’s time to talk after you do the work.” (No point in giving him an opportunity to sabotage the work.) I tend to ask more questions than I answer, also.

Afterward, if he’s truly interested in a dialog, not in delivering a monologue, I’ll chat. I’ve certainly done it before. I’m patient, and I think it does them good if they encounter someone who’s thoughtfully chosen not to worship and is willing to talk. (If he’s rude, I’d ask him how many converts he’s won that way, and I’d show him the door. But if I’m not kneejerk rude, they usually aren’t. They’re usually just earnest.)

Is this weak and non-confrontational of me? Perhaps. Another way of looking at it is that it takes strength to live with and among abrasively zealous people and interact with them while remaining true to your ideals of courtesy and honesty and self-protection.

As unprofessional, insensitive and generally stupid as this guy is… “intellectual terrorism”? Seriously? Does the word “terrorism” really not mean anything any more.

I agree with those who would avoid a confrontation. Try to steer the conversation back to your problem. If you can’t, make an excuse to get out of the conversation and get him to work. You have to make a phone call, you have something else to do… anything at all. Then call the company afterwards and ensure that this guy is taught the rules.

“I’m Jewish.” That works for my twin sister when Seventh Day Adventists or Mormons come to the door.

In response to Spork:

I think courtesy is important because of what it says about *me,* even when the other person doesn’t completely deserve it. My ability to maintain my composure also matters because I not only represent my own self, I also am representative of other non-believers to this proselytizer. If I act like a human being instead of an ass, maybe the do-gooder will begin to see non-believers as real, complex, sympathetic people rather than as causes.

And courtesy is also a matter of practicality. I’m a woman in my home, with a stranger who feels strongly about a cause. I’m not going to piss him off unless I have to — for reasons of personal safety and also because I want the work done right then, without delay and without him doing a half-assed job.

One final comment on bravery: It’s ironic that you commented anonymously on how other people are not being brave. :o)

I’ve gotta go with Spork on this one.
Although I would give the guy a chance first and tell him I’m not interested and could he please fix my internet.
If he doesn’t stop though, all bets are off, I’d kick him out and call his company. I’d tell them their repair man was unprofessional and insulting and refused to do his job and if they don’t send another repair man right now I’m calling the Better Business Bureau on them. There is no place in civilized society for this sort of nonsense. It’s not about being polite here. You can be polite when you ask him to stop, after that get him the hell out of your house.
Although I have the added bonus of being able to call building security if he gets difficult, so my situation may be different.

I think I would ask him to leave and get someone else to do the job. Someone with poor enough powers of reasoning to fall for that is likely to be bad at doing technical jobs. He needs to be able to look at a situation, evaluate the evidence, perform tests, and come to a reasonable conclusion. Jesus is not a reasonable conclusion. If he came to that wrong conclusion, it isn’t hard to believe that he thinks my computer is causing the Internet problems when the problem is the cable company’s equipment.

One final comment on bravery: It’s ironic that you commented anonymously on how other people are not being brave. :o)

Carolyn, please do Google ‘Silence Dogood’ sometime. While I am an “out” atheist in my workplace, and my views are pretty well known, I save a little vitriol for weblogs and message boards. Use of a pseudonym is pretty much a requirement.

I also find it odd, every single time I encounter it, how many self-proclaimed critical thinkers need a “name” attached to postings on the internet. Does a name, such as Ricky Moore, or Suzanne Pennings, or Arthur Buckwallow really mean anything more to you than spork, or napkin, or buttplug?

You should really be evaluating postings on content and the quality of reasoning displayed within said postings, rather than the monikers attached to said postings.

Then again, if you could think critically, you’d have known that already.

Spork,

I wanted to reply one last time, because I’m surprised at the vitriol you reserved for another commenter. I’m sorry that you feel defensive about posting anonymously, but that’s what happens. You’re entitled to do it, and I’m entitled to think and say what I wish about it. Have a big ol’ cup of Get Over It.

You’ll notice that my comments only dealt with *my* own experiences and why I react the way I do to unwelcome proselytizers. For some reason, you’re presuming that you are the arbiter of how one “should” comment and that you’re somehow being invited to judge whether courteous responses are “weak-kneed,” “desperate,” or the actions of a “coward.” I don’t know why you care to this degree about the milder responses of some non-believers. Your attitude is contemptuous, and it’s that very people-unfriendly attitude that alienates people who do have religious beliefs … and some who do not. It it because of the existence of such rudeness that others like me try to control irritation when we’re preached at.

Your comment about whether I can think critically is unnecessarily insulting and laughable, considering that your responses have been emotional while mine have not up until this point.

And — in a small spark of my own temper — I’ll say that in your case, per your example, I’m perfectly willing to equate Spork with a buttplug.

See ya.

By the way, to the website owner, I think it’s sad that a site intended for reasoned discussions has a troll like this. But no big deal. There are plenty of other good sites to visit!

Ah. Feel better now. I’m sure the Sporky troll will respond again, but I don’t have to listen to that crap.

call whatever company he works for, speak to the owner, find out if s/he knows the employee is a PT : Proselytizing Thumper. Odds are it’s one of those businesses that caters to Christians only [e.g. Shepherd’s Guide.com] and you called them by mistake (look for the telltale FISH LOGO in the ads, and avoid those businesses at all costs – they exist solely to rip you off).

if not, maybe the owner will fire the moron, so he can go to work as a Wal-Mart greeter.

if the owner is complicit, i’d (seriously) demand a 100% refund – just for the harassment. whether he completed his plumbing task is irrelevant.

Why not just tell him that you are not a fan of fantasy books?