Mixing Computers and Religion

[MichianaComputers2]

*********delete this post *************

 

[angry_geek]

I once had a muslim doctor tell me that I could get his business at his medical practice if I came to a prayer call with him. I politely declined, and I didn't get his contract. About 2 months later I received a call from the Imam at the local mosque. Somehow my interaction with the doctor got back to him. The Imam apologized for the doctor's actions and asked if I could do some work at the mosque and their community center. I wound up with that gig and contracts with 3 other doctors from the mosque. The first doctor that wanted me to come to prayer with him has not spoken to me since. I have had dinner with the Imam as well as several very pleasant interactions with others from the mosque. Goes to show you, never compromise your principals. I'm not going to be forced into doing something I don't want just for a few bucks.


Edit: It's nobody's business what your religion is or if you even have one. If the customer has a problem with that, tell them to call Geek Squad.

 

[NYJimbo]

I've had this happen to me. I tell them my religion and that's it. I dont care if I lose the job. I never bring up religion, politics or sports with any customer, but if they ask I am not going to lie. If I do it will somehow backfire later. I knew a guy in the business who preyed on Christians by telling people he was Christian to get their business. It came back later to ruin him when he was found out to not be of that faith and that he was a liar.

Years ago a guy came in for a sit down to talk about doing a website. He was a very soft spoken guy but I didnt know anything personal about him. At one point we talked about something that happened to a celebrity and he told me the same thing happened to his dad, I said "Oh,god, I'm sorry". That was it. He gets flustered and says I shouldn't take the name of the lord in vain. I mean it was over. He remained pleasant but he was all worked up over me just saying "Oh God." We never really got back on track talking about the website and he said he would have to think about the project and left. Never heard from him again.

I once had a guy come in and talk all kinds of nasty stuff on how a Jewish guy ripped him off. I got so sick of it I told him I was jewish (I am not). We finished business and he paid me but you could tell he was very embarrased to have made all those comments about Jews to me.

Religion is tricky stuff in business. So if someone asks me I just tell them and move on.

btw - Be wary of people using their religion to get "deals" or discounts and stuff. I've had that happen to me as well.

 

[Doctor Micro]

I've never had that happen, but in my opinion, it's irrevelant and none of their business. You could extend this reasoning to whatever your political leanings are, your feelings on abortion, or gun control, or any number of other potentially hotbed issues. If my, or my techs, beliefs or leanings outside of our profession is somehow a litmus test that we must supposedly pass before such and such a customer blesses us with their business, I don't need or want their business.

 

[MichianaComputers2]

Hi

Angry Geek. I walked in on my son watching...

Office Space yesterday just as the scene

your avatar came from popped onto the screen. LOL


Just wondering, you said its no ones business what religion you are. How about those businesses you walk into that have their religious pictures and crosses and things all over the wall?

 

[angry_geek]

Hi

Angry Geek. I walked in on my son watching...

Office Space yesterday just as the scene

your avatar came from popped onto the screen. LOL


Just wondering, you said its no ones business what religion you are. How about those businesses you walk into that have their religious pictures and crosses and things all over the wall?

Just be glad he wasn't watching . . .

I hate going into business and seeing all that crap. I will never turn away business on the account of religion, but I also won't sit around listening to someone trying to preach to me or force me to bend to their will just for the sake of business. What I believe is up to me. I will absolutely not use that to try to get a sale nor do I want someone to try to use it on me. An old preacher once told me that religion, for the most part, has been completely corrupted. A person's relationship with God is a personal thing, and no one has the right to judge or dictate that relationship.

 

[anonymous Mac Tech]

Can't say religion has ever popped up and we do business regularly with churches/schools of a variety of religions. They are great clients. I can see it being an issue with some flaky customer though. But regardless I won't lie to earn their business.

 

[MichianaComputers2]

Can't say religion has ever popped up and we do business regularly with churches/schools of a variety of religions. They are great clients. I can see it being an issue with some flaky customer though. But regardless I won't lie to earn their business.

Another tech in town told me the hardest customers to get his money from was churches and schools.

 

[Kenhelms]

had it happen.

I usually tell them, because to not makes me look like a snob ignoring a innocent question. Is it their business? no not really but in most common forms of religion, spreading the word is a cornerstone of the faith....so I dont blame people for trying.

I learned a long time ago, avoid Religion, Politicial stuff and sports with clients. Because it WILL ALWAYS come back to bite you at some point.

 

[NickCat11]

Edit: It's nobody's business what your religion is or if you even have one. If the customer has a problem with that, tell them to call Geek Squad.

+1, It cracks me up that this kind of stuff even happens. Do they ask the plumber, electrician, etc, the same questions?

 

[14049752]

Do they ask the plumber, electrician, etc, the same questions?

Yes, some of them do.

 

[lan101]

Yeah I am the same way pyramid. I would just tell them I do not have one and leave it at that. Like you said if they want to preach then they can pay for the time lol.

 

[MichianaComputers2]

I just tell people when they ask me my religion "I am every religion and I am none!" But that sort of makes the Christians mad. The Buddhists understand it though.

 

[angry_geek]

It would be fun to go existential on them. "What is religion? Is it a set of books and rules? Is it a belief system? If it is a belief system, then how can I have the same belief system as you? If we all had the same beliefs, then it is no longer 'mine' or 'yours', but 'ours'. Isn't this the foundation of Marxism? Everybody gets the same, no one different than anyone else?" That should start their heads spinning.

 

[anonymous Mac Tech]

It would be fun to go existential on them. "What is religion? Is it a set of books and rules? Is it a belief system? If it is a belief system, then how can I have the same belief system as you? If we all had the same beliefs, then it is no longer 'mine' or 'yours', but 'ours'. Isn't this the foundation of Marxism? Everybody gets the same, no one different than anyone else?" That should start their heads spinning.

I would like to tell them "I do believe in the Force being a part of all living things and I did aspire to be a Jedi at one point. However Master Yoda said even though my midi-chlorian count was fairly high, however with the Emperor and the Imperial Alliance being destroyed as well as Darth Vader reverting back from the dark-side to become Anakin Skywalker again just before he died it may really throw of the balance of the force taking on another Jedi. But he did say I could repair light sabers. So besides repairing your computer, if you have any light saber issues.."

 

[Kenhelms]

you guys are going to tell someone that your jedi, and find out that they are a scientologist....thatll be awesome.

 

[Blues]

If there is any "religion" I would discriminate agianst it would be the cult of scientology. I won't ask and if I am asked I would either answer or tell I refuse to share that information and if that is going to be a problem then they may want to go to someone else.

 

[Jura]

That doesn't make sense. You claim religion is stupid, but then don't think it's right to dislike one. Perhaps he has a good reason to.

There is one form of Christianity that I dislike and don't support, but they've earned it. I don't hate everyone who follows them, but as a group they've shown that they can be quite harmful. Discrimination isn't always a bad thing.

 

[Jura]

So it's okay that a religion supports over-throwing a government and disallowing rights of other people? Not discriminating from right and wrong is not okay.

 

[Kenhelms]

So it's okay that a religion supports over-throwing a government and disallowing rights of other people? Not discriminating from right and wrong is not okay.

Careful now, horrible things were done by one of the largest orthodox religions on earth all while chanting "Deus vult"

Take religions for what they are, discrimination of any is wrong in every form. Whether you believe in one deity, many, or a extra terrestrial force, its still just faith.