Saturday, February 14, 2009

Holier Than Thou

I'm sure you've met the breed, the holier than thou person. They think they've been spawned on a higher evolutionary level and therefore have the right to lord it over us lowly peons. They still want to be revered, though, and preach to the masses. I work in a unique workplace that prays as a group a lot. We have at least one prayer meeting a day that we're all invited (allowed but not forced) to attend and a lot of smaller groups also hold extra prayer meetings during breaks. Protestant and Catholic and non-denominational. There's at least three people where I work that love to lead the big group prayer meetings. They're the first ones to preach to us how to be good God-loving-obeying people. They're the first ones to pray out loud in front of the group, the first ones to shake the tambourine and dance in front of everyone during hymns. Then they're also the first ones to turn around and yell at my employees, and I'm sure other employees, and at me. Usually it's about insignificant things, or things they're in the wrong about but are ignorant about. Or because we've not kowtowed to them like they think we should. One hasn't yelled at us or been rude when he talks. BUT, he also doesn't say "hi" when you pass him in the hall even if you say "hi" first. He pushes in front of people to get in the door and doesn't hold it for anybody. That's almost as bad to me, as those who yell and talk down to other people. I have trouble taking people like this seriously in any which way, but particularly believing that they're good God-fearing people. And yes, I know that we're all just people, flawed, and trying to be better. That we're all sinners. Still... Those who hold themselves out to be higher, to be in positions of preachers and priests or other high officials have put themselves in a place to be better. At least I think so. We also work with a lot of ordained priests and pastors. Way too many of them act holier than thou, too. They throw their weight around with us, too. At least they try to. It's annoying. We do our best to help and appease them, but my respect for them is nil. They should be among the nicest people on the planet, not the meanest, loftiest. Oh well... I'll get over it - until one of them is rude to my staff again and then I'll have to address it. I don't like seeing my ladies upset and at least three are very upset with one of these individuals this week. And this, the official week of love with Valentine's Day. As per Valentine's Day, my family is going to take my father-in-law out to our favorite restaurant tomorrow night. We're going to try to build a bridge over the chasm that's been about 15 years in the making. Hopefully this weekend will bring some special magic and help our efforts. Happy Valentine's Day all! You'll also want to see what Amarinda Jones, Anika Hamilton, Anny Cook, Barbara Huffert, Brynn Paulin, Bronwyn Green, Dakota Rebel, Kelly Kirch, Molly Daniels, Sandra Cox, Regina Carlysle, and Cindy Spencer Pape are up to, so make sure to visit them also. :)

7 comments:

Regina Carlysle said...

I live among people like this and agree with you completely. It is those who have to blab about their faith and what good christians they are that just KILL me. I have no respect for them. I do my praying in private and don't feel the need to talk about it with others. People like this are so insecure.

Unknown said...

I couldn't work with god botherers like that. I would have to say something. Religion is fine but it's not real life is it?

Debby said...

I have met people like that. They are also the ones that almost run you over when you leave. But we can only worry about ourselves.

Hope Wilbanks said...

I'm sorry you've had such an experience. This definitely gives a bad name to *real* Christians (Christ-LIKE). Unfortunately, there are many out there just like this. As a Christian myself, I will take this lesson to heart. I'm also going to share a link to this post b/c I think it's well-written and your point is well-stated. :)

Sandra Cox said...

Hope the outing went well.
Much about religion always amazes me. In particular, the number of wars that have been taken place because of it.
I'd like to see all religious beliefs tossed in a pot, and the best of each, like creme, rise to the top and meld together.

Molly Daniels said...

Unfortunately, there are all types in this world...

Hope your bridge-building went well, and a good weekend was had by all:)

Unknown said...

I meant no disrespect to Christians or anyone else who practices a different faith. I'm a Christian myself. These two people I mentioned are just so self-righteous, act so holy in the prayer meetings and any meeting, and then are the first and worst to put people down. There are others who lead our prayer meetings a lot, but they practice being kind and loving at all times. Sure, they might have a bad day every blue moon, because they're human like the rest of us. But the ones that got under my craw this week, are the ones that are perpetually mean and rude when they're not preaching to the rest of us.

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