And here we go again

Yesterday a co-worker was telling me that she had been taking some religious class at her church and they were discussing that Jesus had to be physically sacrificed and his blood literally shed in order that all the wretched sinners could be saved from eternal damnation. Her teacher commented that she felt this concept was too "bloody" for young children. My co-worker told her teacher she completely disagreed and thought that all children should be taught even the harshest "truths" about this blood covenant; that blood must literally be shed to account for people's sins, and they just had to know everything the bible has to say about blood and sacrifice and damnation, no matter what their age.

She went on to say that she had to stand up for what she believed so she had adamantly argued her point with the teacher, who may have been gaping at her in horror (as I was at that moment), while she rattled off this insanity. I wanted to grab her and shake her and tell her she had no RIGHT to psychologically abuse children, but I realized she is only passing on what had been done to her. And I felt sick to my stomach thinking about it. I didn't even know how to respond especially considering we were at work! She was totally oblivious to how disgusting and vile her comments had been - and how revealing they were combined with some of the other things she has said in the short time we have been working together.

Now, I'm kicking myself for not saying this, or that, or responding much beyond a dropped jaw and just being purely dumbstruck. But I'm over that. Now, I'm just pissed. And I feel violated. I was hearing this while I was trying to work. She has known I'm atheist all along, but until recently, she has mostly kept her beliefs to herself and so have I. I don't know why she has suddenly decided to start talking about it, but now, if she does this again (and I'm sure she will) I have to deal with telling her she needs to keep her religious opinions to herself while we are at work (one of those things I wish could have come out of my mouth yesterday).  

So I guess we'll see how today goes since she seems to be on a roll.