How do you cope with unsolicited x-tian chain letters?

[Lost-in-FL]

I keep receiving unsolicited chain letters from a co-worker and I don't know if to "Reply to all" with a very nasty message or just ignore it. I really do not want to be mean spirited cause I think this would just perpetuate the Fundie notion that Atheists are a bunch of angry people. How whould you deal with this?

[Lost-in-FL]

1. Nothing? Anyone?

Really... I tried looking around for a response and thought I could get your help. I know what ya'll thinking but I'm not a troll.

[Warpy]

2. If she is sending them at work

then you need to print one out and send it along to Human Resources with a written complaint that you don't share that religion and find this a waste of company time and resources as well as creating a hostile work environment.

That should get you off her mail list.

[jmm]

4. Good advice.

If this is happening at work then HR needs to get involved.

[jmm]

3. I'm a big fan of replying to all

I don't suggest sending nasty replies but a well reasoned response might might some people think. People stop spamming me with their religious/conservative messages when they realize their like-minded friends and family are getting my replies too.

Of course it this coworker is using company email or sending messages during work hours then I don't encourage sending a response because you could faces the same trouble they rightfully could.

[cosmik debris]

5. block senders list.

Warn the sender to stop sending spam. If it doesn't work, give them a second warning. If that doesn't work, block that sender.

If you are using Outlook, you can also create a filter that will send that persons emails to a special folder where you can isolate the problem.

Use technology. It works.

[RebelOne]

6. I don't even bother replying.

It's not worth my time. I just hit delete.

[WillParkinson]

7. I'm gonna go with...

Computer virus! Wrapped up in a lovely "gourd" related article. They're sure to open it and see if their Lard has saved you heathen.

[trotsky]

8. Would you feel comfortable speaking with HR about the issue?

The e-mails are a form of harassment and you don't have to be the one to single yourself out to ask that you not receive them. If you trust your HR person, they can speak with the co-worker and tell them it's not appropriate for a work environment without saying who complained.

On edit: Sorry, didn't even see Warpy's reply above. Dupe advice here! :)

[lizerdbits]

9. First I'd ask the person to stop sending it

If that's not effective go to HR. So my opinion is a combo of above advice. If HR doesn't do anything you could do the block sender thing. That could be a problem if you also receive relevant work information from the person though.

[Lost-in-FL]

10. Thank you all for the replies...

It is not a work e-mail account but my home account. He was checking his home e-mail at work once and I ask him to forward to me a funny e-mail he received from a friend (Didn't even know at the time he was that deeply religious.). I've NEVER, EVER expected him to include me in his mailing list and to send me these corny e-mails. They were almost immediate. I remember I warned him about it but in a friendly manner. I do not want to get nasty with him but it is getting to that point. This is about the only thing that bothers me about the guy since he is a pretty cool. Too bad he drinks the cool aid (at least he isn't a Republican.)

I replied him with a very long e-mail about how xtianity is responsible for the Inequality of women and why I am not a xtian but my guess is that it was too long. That didn't work cause he is still sending me shit!! This time I wanted to "reply to all with something funny and embarrassing for him (like a link to the "Jesus of the Day" http://www.jesusoftheweek.com/ ) but then I might just let it go.

I think I should have a talk with him about it, tell him he is stepping too far. I think it is disrespectful for him to continue doing this when he's already been warned... TWICE! I don't know what's the point of doing this.

[Warpy]

11. Once is a mistake

Twice is the beginning of a bad habit.

Three times and they are blocked.

[moggie]

12. Oh dear

I replied him with a very long e-mail about how xtianity is responsible for the Inequality of women and why I am not a xtian

You're now his personal project. He has to either save your soul or antagonise you: leaving you alone isn't an option.

[Lost-in-FL]

13. I think I'll be blocking his e-mail

[immoderate]

14. Send all a copy of the Dr. Laura letter...

Reproduced below. You might want to modify it for this situation.

an open letter to Dr. Laura
J. Kent Ashcraft
May 2000
Dear Dr. Laura,
Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God's Law. I have learned a great deal from your show, and I try to share that knowledge with as many people as I can. When someone tries to defend the homosexual lifestyle, for example, I simply remind him that Leviticus 18:22 clearly states it to be an abomination. End of debate.

I do need some advice from you, however, regarding some of the specific laws and how to best follow them.

a) When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odor for the Lord (Lev 1;9). The problem is my neighbors. They claim the odor is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them?

b) I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21;7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?

c) I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of menstrual uncleanliness (Lev 15:19-24). The problem is, how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offense.

d) Lev. 25:44 states that I may indeed possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are purchased from neighboring nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can't I own Canadians?
e) I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself?

f) A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an Abomination (Lev 11:10), it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don't agree. Can you settle this?

g) Lev 21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle room here?

h) Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev 19:27. How should they die?

i) I know from Lev 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves?

j) My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev 19:19 by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend). He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them? (Lev 24:10-16) Couldn't we just burn them to death at a private family affair like we do with people who sleep with their in-laws? (Lev. 20:14)

I know you have studied these things extensively, so I am confident you can help.

--IMM

[Lost-in-FL]

15. Ha!

I've read this before but didn't know where to find it!! Thanks!

[frogmarch]

16. My new brother-in-law

just emailed me a picture of Jesus knocking on someone's door. Underneath the picture was this, in bold red letters:

HE ARRIVED THIS MORNING, WE HAD PRAYER, SPENT SOME TIME JUST TALKING, AND THEN, HE WAS ON HIS WAY TO YOUR HOUSE.

When He gets to your PC, escort Him to the next stop. Please don't allow Him to sleep on your PC. The message He is carrying is very important and needs to go round. May God bless you as you do this - AMEN.

Walking for Jesus!
Say a prayer, then pass Him on to bless others. Our assignment is to love and spread the gospel throughout the world.
Have a blessed day and touch somebody's life today!
I just did. He's walking around the world - via e-mail!!
Pass it on! So He can get there.

When you forward, put where He left in the subject box; i.e. the name of your town or city.
~~~

The sender knows I'm an atheist, so I don't know what to make of his sending it to me. I simply deleted it, but if he sends more of this kind of crap to me, I'll block him.

[MindPilot]

17. Nothing wrong with your place being the last stop for Jesus.

Dude just knocked on the wrong door...haven't seen him since. :evilgrin:

[yellerpup]

18. Usually, they get deleted without comment.

But, last week I got one about Obama being a Muslim and owing allegiance to Islam, etc., and let them have it for sending out lies in their hate mail. I remind people that I am not a christian whenever a x-tian centered action is requested. If someone is asking for a prayer, I let it go and have a positive thought for their good health. I say, "I will think of you with love, and wish you (success in overcoming whatever your problem is) well. The first time I heard Madelyn Murray O'Hare speak when I was a teenager, I realized that I agreed with everything she said, but I was appalled that she was so nasty in her presentation. It costs nothing to be nice.