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Standing up for atheists, I reported a Christian zealot x-ray tech.

As a representative for atheists everywhere:

I said I don't want him doing x-rays on me again. During my last two x-rays, he raved and proselytized about how his god saved his life.

"I'm an atheist," I said to politely shut him up. It didn't work. He reacted like being an atheist is a horrible disease.

"I chose rational thought over magical belief," I said firmly.

Confluence Health managers apologized. But they have multiple x-ray areas. Incident Management staff didn't (could not?) look up my medical chart to see who gave my last two foot x-rays.

So, I described the building location, his background (nearly a Ph.D. in tree fruit insect management, WSU), and the do-rag he wears on his head covered in Christian symbols and Bible verses.

Highly unprofessional.

My next foot x-ray is tomorrow. A manager will be there to watch. To see if I'm a reasonable person? Even asking why the manager is there will make me seem difficult.

As usual, I will dress nicely and act friendly and gracious. The things we go through.

LiterateHiker 9 June 23
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21 comments

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6

Good on You!! We must stand up to these mental cases. Who knows what their imaginary friend tells them when they are at work? I don't care what they do at home on their own time but there is no place for imaginary friends in the workplace.

and especially with that bible verse scattered all over his "bandana". That's so in-your-face and off-putting". Argghhhh

6

Good for you!!!
Way to stand up for yourself, and other non-believers.

I also don't think it's unreasonable that you would ask why a manager would
be in attendance at your next appointment.
It hardly seems like you should be considered "difficult".

What I truly do not understand is why so many people care what others think
of them when all they are doing is maintaining their own dignity?
We all have the reasonable expectation that people will do their jobs with
professionalism. We all have the right NOT to be preached to, by anyone,
in any professional situation. Particularly a medical setting.

How is ANY of this somehow your fault?

@KKGator

Thank you. Patients have the right not to be hassled about religion.

I hope this generates a discussion with managers about protecting patients from religious proselytizing.

@LiterateHiker You're welcome.
I'd be raising ten kinds of hell, not caring who I pissed off.
You are handling this much more calmly than I would be.

5

I really think that religion really has no place In any professional setting what so ever and from what I understand even scientists that do believe in an imaginary sky fairy still has to put their beliefs on the back burner to get to the facts the same standard must be upheld in any profession ( religion and the belief of a deity really has no place or no relevance, for it is a poison and an unnecessary bias that needs only to be eradicated from society) the belief and not the person; but my suggestion would be to inform said person to keep their beliefs to themselves.

5

How annoying. Captive audience, zealot in position of responsibility. Just think how many people he’s hooked by appearing to be the most authoritarian in the room.

Shift him out of the consulting room or lab to the pub and I am sure he would lose that authority!

4

Beliefs and opinions are like penises.
They’re fine to have (you can even be proud of them).
But don’t take them out in public, wave them in my face, try to shove them down my throat and think I’m going to like it!

4

Thanks for standing up for us. He likely makes others uncomfortable too, perhaps on purpose, especially if he can see on a patient's records their religion, or whether it's marked none. Most patients wouldn't have the guts to say anything.

The more people report proselytizing by employees, the better the awareness will be. Isn't it better to keep medical appointments professional and science based? Shouldn't he be touting the medical science and medical care he received rather than downgrading the importance the medical field, and instead crediting a supernatural deity? Wow - not the place for a conversation like you experienced, unless it's a Christian medical facility.

I complained once at a public clinic when I had a MRI and was subjected several minutes of Christian Carols, through headphones, against my wishes. The technician assumed that's what I would want to hear during the holidays, rather than giving me a choice of Hawaiian, Rock, Classical, etc. I didn't complain over the technician's head, but made it clear that it was upsetting to me to be forced to listen to music that went against my beliefs. The technician apologized but was surprised at my complaint. Hopefully a little bit of awareness was created.

3

Christians, for all their blathering about being discriminated against, actually get favored when it comes to their profession of faith.

Years ago when I was working in a cubicle farm I had a calendar up in my cube. It was a Tracy Lords calendar. it was when she was attempting to go "mainstream" and the calendar contained no porn or nudity, just mildly sexy photos. Near my cube was a Christian who had bible verses and quotes for his politically active pastor all over his cubicle. While my calendar was inside my cube, his posted prosthelytizing was all over the outside of his cube. He complained about my calendar and wanted me to take it down. I agreed, if he took down his Christian postings. He refused to do so. I was required to take down my poster but his bible quotes were allowed to stay.

So yeah... my ass that Christians are "discriminated against".

3

A witness is a good thing.
A non-biased witness... is even better.

Let us know how it goes..,

3

Most companies I've worked for have policies against discussions of religion and politics. The subjects tend to be too divisive and disruptive when they occur. I have been aware of a few religious zealots who were "talked to" about proselytizing in the work place over the years. It's one thing to do it with other employees, but another to try to preach to customers.

3

Off with their bible verses and imaginary god. Of course they know who the tech is. There’s a chain of custody a mile long and a signature at every stop. Get names. You have rights too.
And why are you getting so many x-rays?

@ADKSparky

I fractured my right fourth toe at the base where it attaches to the metatarsal bone. Diagonal fractures take longer to heal, the podiatrist said.

April 24: Fractured toe. Huge swelling and bruising. Iced, elevated and took ibuprofen to no avail. Made doctor appt.

May 8: Saw my doctor. She had me get an x-ray ("possible fracture" ) and a medical boot. Hassled by the Christian zealot.

May 22: Podiatrist visit and x-ray. He diagnosed a diagonal fracture, fourth toe. Hassled by the same Christian zealot.

June 24: Podiatrist visit and x-ray to see if the fracture healed.

3

Just don't spin your head around 180° and projectile vomit pea soup. 😉

3

Good for you

bobwjr Level 10 June 23, 2019
3

More power to you, in doing this just as you should!
I have worked decades for a Catholic-based healthcare system, experiencing my own transition away from childhood faith practices early on there. Within the last 2 decades the organization went face-forward with their diversity (racial) movement, with myself and others bringing personal beliefs into that arena - "oh, that, too?"!
The required respect is at least evident, but some folks just make mindless assumptions. NOT under my team!
I call B.S. on not ID'ing the tech involved, as that is required to stand in the medical record. Creating an affront to your personal comfort on any level is a violation in patient care, may as well have been sexual harrassment or impropriety. I would hope that leadership is there to monitor the HR investigation.
Keep us updated, please!

3

good luck! i hope you get the same creep and the manager witnesses that. that would be even better luck than getting a reasonable person, right?

g

@genessa

In my report I said during my last foot x-ray, a supervisor witnessed his proselytizing behavior. She stood in the room.

@LiterateHiker what did the witness say? did she acknowledge what she saw and heard?

g

@genessa

After introducing herself, the supervisor said nothing while I was there.

@LiterateHiker did the same thing happen that happened before so at least whether or not she commented she did witness something that proved you right?

g

@genessa

With the supervisor present, he toned it down a bit. But he couldn't stop himself from talking about his Christian faith.

@LiterateHiker that's good. so even without comment, you had a witness.

g

2

One of our provinces just out lawed all religious symbols in the work place,going to bit of controverdary over that what ,I think the existing stafs will be grandfather but all new people coming in will be subject to it while on the job,,afterhours free to do as you wish

2

That is above and beyond! Total WTF moment. Good you reported jt.

2

You go girl. Hearing religious bs gets on my nerves as well.

1

God luck! Ooops, i mean good luck!

1

I recently left a dental practice for similar circumstance.

1

Good on you for doing it.

0

Why did you actually reported that Christian?

@InSaNe_97

Because his behavior was unprofessional and annoying.

Patients have the right not to be hassled about religion.

Why wouldn't anyone report that person?
It doesn't make sense that she wouldn't.

Sure, thank you, I probably read too fast to catch that little information.

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