I've realized one of my managers doesn't understand Atheism.

Before Christmas, I mentioned I was an Atheist and it seemed to blow his mind.
After Christmas, I was talking about something that my girlfriend gave me and the conversation went like this:
"But you're Atheist."
"...Yeah?"
"You don't believe in Christmas."
"Of course I do. It just happened."
"How can you believe in Christmas if you're Atheist?"
"...Because it JUST happened. I'm not denying that Christmas was a few days ago."
"But you don't believe in the reason for it?"
"I celebrate American Christmas. With Santa Claus and presents. Not the Christian Christmas, but I think you're mixing up 'believing in' with 'observing.'"
"Do you believe in Santa Claus?"
"...No (almost asked if he did)."
"So how do you believe in Christmas."
"I don't think you know what 'believe' means."


And then two days ago, a coworker got a second job and was wondering what he should wear to orientation since he didn't have his uniform yet. The same manager mentioned that he would wear what he wears to church.
Me: "You know he's Pagan, right? What he wears to church is more like a rubber apron and a medical mask than a suit."
Manager: "You're a Pagan?"
Coworker: "Yeah."
Manager: "What does that mean?"
Coworker: "Depends on who the Pagan is. With me, it's many gods. My fiance believes more in spirits and natural forces."
Manager: "Which gods?"
Coworker: "Uh...let's say almost any god that isn't the Christian god just to keep it simple. (think he was actually trying to push the manager's buttons at this point)."
Manager: "So...the same thing as Boy Wonder."
Me: "No, I'm Atheist, not Pagan."
Manager: "What's the difference?"
Me: "I don't believe in his gods either."

tl;dr: It is now my personal mission to educate my manager.

 

I've gotten permission to wear my domino mask at work.

They do know that I wear a superhero shirt underneath my polo almost every day, though. I particularly wear Superman on Sunday underneath a button up so if the production line needs my help, I can Clark Kent my way down there and save the day.

 

Good luck on your mission, BW!

Nice.

 

In my experience, anything that falls outside of what is a cultural expectation of 'normal' they can't understand.

 

I might not be great with the whole religious aspect, but someone send this manager to school on these terms. I vote this guy for the teacher

 

Broken image is broken. Never mind.

 

Didn't think so

 

Oh. I thought you were just substituting your name for your username.