How Would YOU React to This?

I would ignore him. He's looking for amunition and a fight. Some people are "offended" all the time. If he approaches you about it directly, you can say "actually, I thought it was a really nice thing to share, Bob. A lot of families with children might really enjoy this. If it's so upsetting to you, you can just recycle your flyer and move on."

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Well at least the total jerk in your office has done a nice job of identifying himself so the rest of you can avoid him more easily...

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I would completely ignore him. If no one else said anything, he will be the one looking dumb.

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I think what the co-worker did handing out the flyers was actually a nice gesture. I don't think she intended to bring religion into the picture.. just to give families a chance to go to something free, entertaining and where people could spend a day/afternoon/evening not worrying that something truly inappropriate will happen. I used to go to a lot of fall festivals at local churches and not once did the preacher or whoever get up on the pulpit and start preaching. They're harmless, she was trying to be nice.

I think the co-worker who got upset is the one who is in the wrong. Again, its opinion. I know people mentioned that religion has no place in the work place, however, like I said.. I don't think inserting religion into people's lives was this lady's intention. If he didn't like it, the proper thing to do would have been to just throw the flyer away. If he is some type of authority figure in the business and wanted to express to her that its inappropriate, that's a discussion for private, not to embarass her in front of others for what she saw as a nice gesture. My personal reaction would have been to say "If you don't like it, don't go. I think its nice since things are so tight for people. Don't have to worry about anyone at a church function at least!" Not with a nasty tone, but just kind of a brushed off tone. Or at the very least, looking at him with a bewildered and somewhat disgusted look at his display.

He's truly the one who looked like an oaf in the situation.

Oh and as for the "Regardless of whether or not some individuals choose to consume alcohol, there is no religion associated with a golf outing." You can choose to make religion a factor or not at the festival. Like I said, they don't jump up and preach during the festival, no one takes communion etc. Many churches understand that some people are weary about religion. The only way you're inserting religion into the ordeal is that it is in a church and the church staff will be there, most likely just to volunteer and run the festival. I've found that up in the northern states (I am from Texas and grew up there) that people don't push religion quite as much as they do in the south. At the golf outing, you have no choice but to be around obnoxious drunks should they choose to drink.. unless of chourse you leave, after you've likely paid for the golf trip. At least if they don't like what's going on at the festival they walk out, no harm done.

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The reason the church outing could be considered inappropriate is obviously because of the RELIGION associated. Religion has no place in the workplace, particularly in a diverse workplace. Hosting a free festival is a clearly a way for a church to promote its religion, in that people from the community might come, make friends, and join the church. Of course there's nothing wrong with a church wanting to proselytize, but it shouldn't be promoted in a workplace.

Regardless of whether or not some individuals choose to consume alcohol, there is no religion associated with a golf outing.

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React to the coworker's reaction?
What kind of thing would you want to say to him?
How do you know what his reaction was to the golf-outing?
Do you know if he doesn't have children?
Or maybe if he lost a child?
He might feel embarrassed that this postcard evoked his strong reaction.

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. Maybe you can say to him that he can skip this function and allow others in the office to invite as they wish. Its not mandatory that he attend. Its no different that the invite to the Golf outing. He needs to chill!

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I wouldn't have said anything. He chose to act like that and he has the right to. But that doesn't mean that everyone else feels the same way. The great thing is at least everyone knows that he will not be attending the festival...yahoo! That in itself is reason to go and have fun:)

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I am sorry I would have voiced my opinion of how hard the economy is and how the families would have enjoyed this and too bad you cant have fun without alcolhol involved. If he doesn't agree with the religion he doesn't have to participate.

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In my workplace, that would be considered soliciting. The person should have asked for permission from HR and then sought advice on the appropriate way to distribute if it was allowed.

While I think this person overreacted, it is still a church function, even if sermons and religious teachings weren't included. Unfortunately, that offends some, especially in the workplace which should be neutral ground with diversity awareness in place.

I think a flyer in the break room would have been more appropriate than singling out people individually by placing them in their mailboxes, but again, one should always seek approval from HR before doing this sort of thing.

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I would have called him out. Then again I have a big mouth though. ;) If you want to get technical about it, his behavior at that point was inappropriate and offensive. Since you didn't say anything ignore it...that is....until you hear his loud mouth shooting off about it again...then I would say voice your opinion.

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I think his strong reaction might be based on him thinking this is a religious conversion attempt on co-workers, because it is a church event.
Obviously that is NOT the intent, but some religions do require their members to actively seek new converts, and he may have had a bad experience along these lines.
I would forget about it, unless he mentions it again, in which case I would gently, and privately, explain the correct intent of the postcards.

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How would I react? Either choose to ignore him and his rant or walk by and tell him if it is inappropriate, just put it in the trash and get over it.

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I have to agree with Ivy. Religion has no place in the workplace. A church festival IS religious, and by promoting it, your friend took the chance that she may offend someone.

Really, you're offended by his being offended? And now you have an instant dislike for him? ... See what happens when religion IS brought into the workplace?! A perfect example of why it should NOT be allowed or encouraged.

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I'm not sure as to how I would've reacted in that situation. I am a religious person, however, I have to agree with the people who said that she may not have gone about handing out the flyers in the right way. I don't know how your work does things though. If there is other ways she could've gone about it. I would like to say though that I have been to a few of those things sponsered by churches in the past and while a preacher may not get up and preach they are still there prostlyzing and promoting their religion and beliefs on other people. So, if you want to attend an even that sounds fun go for it, but be prepared for religion of some sort if that kind of thing offends you.

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You know I'd pry be ticked too. You know it sounds all innocent to you because you know what is going on. I hate coming home to some tract from some religion in my door or them coming to my door harassing me telling me that they are not soliciting anything they are spreading the word! Makes me angry that I answered my door and they don't want to leave.

I'd see that as someone having done this to me and at work none the less! and I'd be ticked too. I wouldn't know what she told you, I'd just see this as the usual church trying to convert you and doing their thing. Doesn't matter if it says it's a youth thing were there is all kinds of toys and stuff I'd see it as them trying to get me to go to their church or something and I'd be annoyed because the work place I shouldn't be bombed with that too!

Now once she was upset someone should have filled her in on what it was and the motivation behind it. Once someone told me that I'd be fine more than likely. But her initial reaction I don't see how that is wrong. Everyone holds their religion dear so if a Jehovah's Witness leaves one in a Baptist mailbox it wouldn't be good. People take religion very seriously I'm sure you know that.

I mean there are lots of people who don't go to church, go once a year, and some that are there 3 or more times a week. I'm guessing you can guess who takes their religion very seriously and those that don't. and also the reaction they might have.

So not a good idea. Hand it out in person and explain in my opinion. Plus I doubt it's a good idea to do anything religion wise at work. Could lead to major problems. You might think her response insane but she might now think the person there is dirt.

so yeah even though It didn't bother you I can see it bothering another.

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I'd ignore him unless he talked to me personally about it. Then I'd tell him to get over it. He doesn't have to go. He can just throw it away like I would have done with the golf outing flyer.

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well the best reaction is no reaction...the guys a jerk...well golf an booze is ok...TIGER WOODS..ring a bell?? its a manly mans game...lol,lol...its not your battle to fight-i would just avoid him-office politics huh??..go have a blast take a ton of pictures-leave the jerks bad attitude at the curb.its not your battle to fight.

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I think it would depend on the relationship you have with your co-workers. If he is someone you talk to a lot, and he brings it up again, I would just say "you don't HAVE to come..." and leave it at that. (Or I would have said it when he was being all pissy about it IF you know him well enough...) If he is just THERE and you don't really associate with him much, I would just ignore it, unless he makes a big deal out of it. Then, again, I would point out that he doesn't have to go.

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What a psycho. Ignore him.

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I think I would have asked right there what was inappropriate about it? If they said because it was religious, you could just be a peakekeeper by saying that you appreciated knowing about a fall festival that would be fun for the kids. It doesn't appear to include time for religion.

Maybe that would have made that person think twice about their accusation. If she still got out of line, you could just tell her that you have come to love your all your co-workers and the nice environment that this company has and that you hope that no one gets their feelings hurt over this.

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In the moment I'd probably be so shocked I wouldn't say anything or if I had it together I'd calmly ask him not to yell and take it up with HR in as few words as possible. After the fact I would try not to say anything as it will just feed fuel to the fire. What if one of his co workers was on the phone with a client or supervisor or anyone doing business during his tantrum. Yelling in the background, oh so professional? Not!!!!

I agree that the flyer should have been cleared by HR and this is nothing against the woman who passed them out I'm sure I've made my share of faux pas. Just the fact that it isn't a religious service doesn't exempt it. Probably any flyer regarding any event should go through HR first. That said, I've been to a few events put on by churches represented as "not religious" only to get there and had the "sales pitch to save your soul" UGH!

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Who's to say why your co-worker's reaction was so strong? The fact is, we all have a right to our feelings, no matter what they are based on. Rightly or wrongly, you have the same right to your feelings of instant dislike that this man had for his feelings of outrage over what he saw as a religious flyer.

Can you change your feelings toward him? Probably not in the short run. But if the two of you had a calm conversation about how your respective needs were not met in that situation, you could probably both come away with a more compassionate understanding of each other.

I think your reaction was perfect. There is nothing you can do now, that it's over with, but he has now shown you, he is a butt!

I don't play golf but wouldn't care if there was a flyer in my mailbox telling me about a golf tournament. I don't see why people think that it is crossing the line when you let them know something is going on at a church, after all if they don't like it then they won't go... doesn't mean that it won't reach a lot of those who would enjoy such a afternoon out with their children. I am outspoken enough I would probably just have smiled and said "Oh I thought it sounded fun... guess I won't be seeing you there then?" and walk away.

I would not react. Leave it alone. You have no idea why the person who reacted to the postcard did so. Just be a good co-worker to all and accept their feelings. Making an issue out of a comment would do more harm than good.

Yea the guy's reaction kinda made him look like a jerk. But I would just forget about it.

This question and a couple of the responses reminded me of one of my more trivial pet peeves -- Junk mail. Unnecessary neighborhood papers get thrown on our steps every week. So do yellow pages (have they never heard of the internet?!). My mail box is full full full of junk. What a waste of paper. A waste that I have to clean up and that our landfills could certainly do without.