Freethought & Rationalism Archive

motorhead · 11-06-2002, 08:16 AM

Like most workplaces that utilize an e-mail system, we have many people at my workplace who pass around jokes through e-mail. I think it's annoying and I rarely ever have the time to read these jokes. However, over the years, I have taken the time to read some of them. What has struck me most about some of these jokes is that they were inappropriate for the workplace, IMO. By inappropriate I mean they contained lewd and crude material. I know what's considered appropriate for the workplace is open to some interpretation but I think in general most people follow the same guidelines in this.

Something else that strikes me about these inappropriate e-mails is that they are sent mostly by people at my workplace who call themselves Christians. I used to be a Christian and as I understood the teachings of the Christian religion, these jokes would be considered "sinful." I realize that the teachings of the Christian religion are also very much open to interpretation but I think at least some if not many Christians would agree that these jokes are inappropriate for a Christian.

Yesterday, I received a joke e-mail sent by a Christian woman. The joke e-mail was lewd and once again I was surprised to be receiving it from a person who identified themselves as a Christian. I decided to question her about how this joke would be viewed in light of her religious beliefs. I decided to ask this woman because although she's not a fundamentalist she's closer than most others. She seemed annoyed that I asked and told me to "lighten up". I was shocked that she didn't take it seriously. What has struck me most about Christians at my workplace over the years is that they are only Christian when it works for them.

So, what has other people's experiences been with these joke e-mails at the workplace and the people who send them?

butswana · 11-06-2002, 10:15 AM

They fly every where around here. I always reply to the god/religion ones. They don't like what I have to say though.

Proxima Centauri · 11-09-2002, 06:17 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by motorhead:
<strong>

Yesterday, I received a joke e-mail sent by a Christian woman. The joke e-mail was lewd and once again I was surprised to be receiving it from a person who identified themselves as a Christian. I decided to question her about how this joke would be viewed in light of her religious beliefs. I decided to ask this woman because although she's not a fundamentalist she's closer than most others. She seemed annoyed that I asked and told me to "lighten up". I was shocked that she didn't take it seriously. What has struck me most about Christians at my workplace over the years is that they are only Christian when it works for them.

</strong>

Many Christians want to do what their religion considers sin and don't like being reminded that they are breaking rules.

[ November 09, 2002: Message edited by: B.Shack ]</p>

Richard1366 · 11-11-2002, 06:59 AM

Most companies have a policy about the use of E-Mail only for company business. Send an E-Mail to Human Resources stating that you have been receiving E-Mails that constitute sexual harassment and make you very uncomfortable in the work environment. Better yet, send an unsigned letter through the post office stating the same thing so that you can't be traced.. Most companies don't want to get involved in a potential law suit, so the hammer should fall on everyone.

kookiejar · 11-11-2002, 07:32 AM

I personally don't mind the dirty little jokes in my e-mail, but I am shocked when I see that some of them come from my father-in-law, and they have first past through his brother-in-law who is a deacon at their church!

I've also heard that Mr. Roger's loves dirty jokes and if he hears one he won't repeat it himself, but he will direct a person to where he heard the joke, i.e. "Go ask Joe to tell you the joke about the rabbi and the squirrel."

I do think that is strange.

Javaman · 11-11-2002, 07:39 AM

The most amoral people I've known in my life have been strong believers. Not only have these people gone against the code of their own doctrine but against the innate morality that (I believe) we all have. ...and yet they don't see that they've done anything wrong.

Ultimate Atheist · 11-11-2002, 07:46 AM

I've noticed that most of the people that pass that stuff around are Christians. You'll probably notice that they also pass around inspirational crap that makes anyone with a logical mind go nuts just because of the sheer stupidity of what you're reading.

My theory is that they send that crap so much that they've just decided to forward everything they get to everyone they know. I just reply to the Christian stuff with anti-Christian stuff of my own. If they send a corny joke and I know they're Christians I send back joke making fun of Christians.

11-06-2002, 08:16 AM	#1
motorhead Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Land of Make Believe Posts: 781	E-Mail Jokes at the Workplace Like most workplaces that utilize an e-mail system, we have many people at my workplace who pass around jokes through e-mail. I think it's annoying and I rarely ever have the time to read these jokes. However, over the years, I have taken the time to read some of them. What has struck me most about some of these jokes is that they were inappropriate for the workplace, IMO. By inappropriate I mean they contained lewd and crude material. I know what's considered appropriate for the workplace is open to some interpretation but I think in general most people follow the same guidelines in this. Something else that strikes me about these inappropriate e-mails is that they are sent mostly by people at my workplace who call themselves Christians. I used to be a Christian and as I understood the teachings of the Christian religion, these jokes would be considered "sinful." I realize that the teachings of the Christian religion are also very much open to interpretation but I think at least some if not many Christians would agree that these jokes are inappropriate for a Christian. Yesterday, I received a joke e-mail sent by a Christian woman. The joke e-mail was lewd and once again I was surprised to be receiving it from a person who identified themselves as a Christian. I decided to question her about how this joke would be viewed in light of her religious beliefs. I decided to ask this woman because although she's not a fundamentalist she's closer than most others. She seemed annoyed that I asked and told me to "lighten up". I was shocked that she didn't take it seriously. What has struck me most about Christians at my workplace over the years is that they are only Christian when it works for them. So, what has other people's experiences been with these joke e-mails at the workplace and the people who send them?

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11-06-2002, 10:15 AM	#2
butswana Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 1,804	They fly every where around here. I always reply to the god/religion ones. They don't like what I have to say though.

11-11-2002, 06:59 AM	#4
Richard1366 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 1,260	Most companies have a policy about the use of E-Mail only for company business. Send an E-Mail to Human Resources stating that you have been receiving E-Mails that constitute sexual harassment and make you very uncomfortable in the work environment. Better yet, send an unsigned letter through the post office stating the same thing so that you can't be traced.. Most companies don't want to get involved in a potential law suit, so the hammer should fall on everyone.

11-11-2002, 07:32 AM	#5
kookiejar Regular Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: USA Posts: 104	I personally don't mind the dirty little jokes in my e-mail, but I am shocked when I see that some of them come from my father-in-law, and they have first past through his brother-in-law who is a deacon at their church! I've also heard that Mr. Roger's loves dirty jokes and if he hears one he won't repeat it himself, but he will direct a person to where he heard the joke, i.e. "Go ask Joe to tell you the joke about the rabbi and the squirrel." I do think that is strange.

11-11-2002, 07:39 AM	#6
Javaman Veteran Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Nebraska Posts: 1,708	The most amoral people I've known in my life have been strong believers. Not only have these people gone against the code of their own doctrine but against the innate morality that (I believe) we all have. ...and yet they don't see that they've done anything wrong.

11-11-2002, 07:46 AM	#7
Ultimate Atheist Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Here Posts: 980	I've noticed that most of the people that pass that stuff around are Christians. You'll probably notice that they also pass around inspirational crap that makes anyone with a logical mind go nuts just because of the sheer stupidity of what you're reading. My theory is that they send that crap so much that they've just decided to forward everything they get to everyone they know. I just reply to the Christian stuff with anti-Christian stuff of my own. If they send a corny joke and I know they're Christians I send back joke making fun of Christians.

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