I have my hook in an Evangelical Christian…

[Viva_La_Revolution]

background:
male, 38-or-so, nice guy, my roomie has worked with him for over 3 years, my sons have worked summers for him, kids, wife, became born again 4 years ago (not because of 9-11 but because of his son, who started asking questions.) An almost complete stranger to me until 2 weeks ago.

The first problem: Now he’s my boss too. I needed a decent job desperately, and he hired me on the roomie’s recommendation. :) basically an apprentice position.

We do the heavy lifting, boss comes by the job site about 9, picks up a paint brush or a hammer and helps out. He’s a great boss, but I do have to follow him around with a can of body paint when he helps us trim, and he gives the worst “tips” on how to get the job done. :shrug: ) Tolerant, patient (mostly) but seems to be lacking in common sense. Some of the jobs we have to figure out on the fly, because the supplies we needed were forgotten, some detail was not considered, or like leaving the company checkbook in the truck (unlocked) while looking at a site in North Portland.

Anyway, we’ve been conversing off and on the past week or so, and usually it bugs me cause I’m focused on work and getting things done... oh well, he’s paying me by the hour...

So I learned in the last two days that he was Evangelical, Conservative (after a little chatting he admitted to Libertarian leanings) voted for Bush cause Kerry couldn’t protect us and has almost decided it was a mistake. Worried about the economy, so I threw out the reports of foreclosures skyrocketing in certain states. Asked for a link to the recent reports, so he could show him to his Realter friend. Says his conservative opinions sometimes clash with his Christian teachings. :wow: He’s very happy with my work, and if I can manage to get myself up on a 2 story roof with-out freaking, then my job is secure. He knows the Florida election in 2000 was a mess. Filled him in a little on the machines, and how it should concern all of us no matter what party, this is our vote that they’re messing with! “Roomie and I have both built computers for years, and WE don’t trust those machines. They can be messed with or outright hacked, for any party!” I got a little passionate. :blush: )

problem 2: How to gently learn him... with-out getting fired. :evilgrin:

I’m thinking of continuing with election issues, in response to the announcement of Boxer and Dodd’s bill today.
He made a comment that it was so good to have someone to discuss politics and current events with, he has no-one, his friends and even his wife have no interest in it. I decided that was a hopeful sign. :)
Tomorrow I'm going to suss out his feelings about Carter, and perhaps loan out my copy of "Our Endangered Values" when he's ready to really read it.


Any advice DU’rs? (other than go slow and being prepared for Monday morning talking points. I’ve figured those out. :))

[villager]

1. hmmm... I can hardly think of a better time to ask "WWJD?"

as far as learning him some broader compassion, etc.

You seem to be on the right path so far!

[Viva_La_Revolution]

4. I did mention that if I truely could believe in God, I would believe in

the God of the new testament, but the God in the old testament was just too mean for me to want to believe in... that I would be one of those Red Letter Christians.

Also mentioned the web site I visit to see one-generation translations from the original sources of the Bible to English, that it was quite different from the versions preached in some churches today.

He was at least partially accepting of most of my opinions, and voiced quesions of his own. It was a lovely sight.


dare I hope, do I smell change in the air?

[aquart]

9. There is a Dolly Parton hymn, "He lives."

It's on the White Limousine album. That describes a Christianity even I could handle.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

11. I don't think I've heard that one...

But her versions of Coat of Many Colours and In the Ghetto just rip my heart apart. I'll look for it. :)

[waiting for hope]

2. I would leave political figures

out of your musing with him at first. Ask him what he thinks makes a good Christian and then talk about those values. Then there will an opening later down the road to show how that the Repug party has abandoned any and all of these values (scandals galore) and then talk about the Democratic platform, without mentioning it's the Democratic Platform. By not naming names and talking about the ideals, he will come to his own conclusions that the Dems are the party of choice for all that makes everything right in the world.

[annabanana]

3. It sounds as if you are planting good seeds...

You should probably bring up politics no more than twice to his once. If he seems to broach the subject often, ALWAYS wait for him to start.
The voting machines are a good "in". Honest people of all political persuasions can understand the necessity of an accurate vote count. Also Carter is an excellent topic. It's hard not to admire that guy.

If he is truly evangelical, he may evangelize in your general direction.... This might be an opening (if you are so inclined) to wonder at the insistence for the 10 Commandments (old testament) over the Beatitudes (New testament... and MUCH more reflective of Jesus's teaching).

[patrice]

5. Ask questions and follow-up questions. Get him to talk. Listen. Listen.

Listen.

Pick your moment. Talk about how we and all future generations are being enslaved.

Jesus was killed because he was too Free for the Church and State of his time. He was a threat to his church and to the state because he was too free, so they killed him. That may not be so surprising about the state, but HIS OWN church betrayed him.

[cynatnite]

6. Sounds like it won't be too difficult...

I wouldn't push too hard...let him do the talking and you can take it from there.

He's eager to talk politics and current events. That's a great start, IMO.

[classof56]

7. He sounds like he may be open to the truth about the RW so-called fundies

My recommendation (as a life-long evangelical Christian who will no longer even attend church) is to talk about what Jesus said. I suggest studying a red-letter Bible (w/Jesus' words in red) and share with your boss the things Jesus had to say about faith, love, compassion, helping the poor, etc. etc. Talk to him about Jesus' earthly ministry and all the positive things he had to say about how we should live our lives.

One of my favorite versus is Matthew 11;19, when Jesus said to his detractors, "But wisdom is proved right by her actions."

Good idea, too, to talk about Jimmy Carter. One of the truest Christians around!

Blessings.

[aquart]

8. Book of Matthew. Hang this on your office wall.

Then the King will tell those on his right hand,'Come, blessed of my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world;

35 for I was hungry, and you gave me food to eat. I was thirsty, and you gave me drink. I was a stranger, and you took me in.

36 I was naked, and you clothed me. I was sick, and you visited me. I was in prison, and you came to me.'

37 "Then the righteous will answer him, saying,'Lord, when did we see you hungry, and feed you; or thirsty, and give you a drink?

38 When did we see you as a stranger, and take you in; or naked, and clothe you?

39 When did we see you sick, or in prison, and come to you?'

40 "The King will answer them,'Most certainly I tell you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.'

41 Then he will say also to those on the left hand,'Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire which is prepared for the devil and his angels;

42 for I was hungry, and you didn't give me food to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me no drink;

43 I was a stranger, and you didn't take me in; naked, and you didn't clothe me; sick, and in prison, and you didn't visit me.'

44 "Then they will also answer, saying,'Lord, when did we see you hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and didn't help you?'

45 "Then he will answer them, saying,'Most certainly I tell you, inasmuch as you didn't do it to one of the least of these, you didn't do it to me.'

46 These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."

[seabeyond]

10. i would approach him in the christian angle. i am offended most

AS a christian what the republican does to my fellow christians that do not vote their way. i am OFFENDED that my fellow christians would dare to call another christian anything less because of how they vote. that they USE christianity to get a vote. That they USE christ to get a vote....

as a christian i am outraged and to ever support a republican as they do this is ME walking AWAY from christ

btw.... because he is your boss that wants to chat, i would put this forth as you talking on the board about the situation and it was a poster on the board that shared this with you. second hand. wont be as offensive

[Viva_La_Revolution]

12. thank you! good advise.

:)