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Religion & Theology (& should we respect beliefs)


JAStewart
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  • 2 months later...

Just wondering what everyone's opinion is on the Situations Vacant advert for the post of Port Welfare Officer for the Fishermen's Mission advertised in this weeks Shetty Times.

 

Without quoting the whole item it states the following:-

 

The successful candidate will possess the following qualities:-

 

-Be an active, committed Christian in good standing with a local church.

I fully understand the good work that the Fishermen's Mission undertakes and think that it is a valuable asset to Shetland.

 

However, does this not border on a human rights issue? I can think of many people who are more than capable to undertake this job but they are not practising Christians.

 

Without treading on another threads toes, had it been a job asking that, 'Only white men that have been born and bred in the UK should apply', then there would be a public outcry.

 

Does Christianity still have such a stronghold that they can enforce only the employment of those that conform to a particular religion?

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I think though can't be sure that they were founded on strong christian principles by a Ebenezer Mather? I would imagine that when employing someone they would wish them to be able to operate the missions services whilst understanding the principles and message it wants to put out to those it helps.

 

I would imagine that if it had stated that the person would be have to be a member of one church or another to the detriment of people who were of another domination they would have a hard job getting out of explaining it to the employment law folk. Anyhow hows the Otemai Baptist Church going?

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Never been to the Otemai Baptist Church :P

 

I am maybe being too hard on the Mission here but I am interested to hear peoples views on it.

 

If you replace the word 'Christian' with 'Racist' in the advert then you might see where I am coming from.

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I get where your coming from, in that it could be seen as being discriminatory, but maybe churches and other religous organisations have a dispensation from such legislation, in that if the local Church of Scotland kirk in Lerwick advertised for a minister, it would be reasonable for them to word it "Kirk seeks new minister, must be protestant, and presbteriyan" While an Episcopalian or C of E reverend could do a good job, it isn't quite what they are looking for. That maybe goes the same for the Mission?

 

those who use their services and support it are the ones who need to reconcile themselves to the fact they are involved with an organisation who have strong christian beliefs whilst they maybe don't hold those ideals themselves.

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I really don't think christian and racist are interchangeable here. There are many 'normal' christians knocking around. ie non-bigotted, open minded, drinking, swearing, goodly folk who just get together for a sing-song on a sunday. the old school community aspect of kirkiness, as opposed to happy clappy or hellfire and damnation merchants. Being a christian does not, as far as I can see, require bigotry or prejudice.

 

For sake of argument - anyone can apply for the post, it is just more likely that a card carrying christian will get it. I'd guess that the organisations funding and origins entitle them to include a small degree of lay preaching or spiritual comfort into the post. There are, after all, still quite a few religious fishermen and seamen.

 

I suppose a secular alternative would be to say that applicants must have prominent ethical and moral standards, community spirit and a qualification in counselling would be an advantage.

 

To make an obtuse comparison, and engineering post may say that applicants should be members of the Chartered institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers. Other engineers may be as good in the post or maybe even more highly qualified, but they can still present a post as exclusive, whether it is or isn't.

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^Your last paragraph makes a good point.

 

I think what got my old brain cells swirling was the way it was worded more than anything else.

The successful candidate will possess the following qualities

 

God forbid if you don't! Etc...

 

You are right about Christian and Racist not being interchangeable. I used it as an example and it is indeed too strong an example.

 

I do wonder though that if somebody decided to start up a Satanic church in Lerwick, helping those in need at the weekends, whether or not they would be able to advertise for:-

 

The successful candidate will possess the following qualities:-

-Be an active, committed Satan worshipper in good standing with a local goat herd.

 

...without a public uproar.

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The "will" terminology is just a standard job application bit of jargon though. It just stands out a bit in this context. Many job apps say the applicant "will be highly motivated, conscientious and dynamic with a qualification in whatever subject is relevant" etc etc, when in reality they may hire a useless halfwit with a degree in sky-hook assembly and the gift of the interview gab. :wink: :P

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You met my interview panel then? :?

 

Back to the topic. :twisted:

 

With no malice towards the Fishermen's Mission (who do a great job), does this not give a good example of the stronghold that religion still takes in the day to day business that makes this world go around.

 

I am obviously speaking from a non-believer stance (at the moment), but I am still of the opinion that religion is one of the world's biggest problems and has been for many centuries.

 

People have fought and fought and fought some more. Not for their own beliefs but for somebody else's.

 

When it comes down to, 'Love thy neighbour', then surely that neighbour should get the same chance at a job whether they agree with a certain religion or not?

 

I think I would rather they had advertised it as, 'We are looking for someone suitably qualified to preach the Christian word and undertake the duties of.....'

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  • 1 month later...
  • 2 weeks later...

Not all jobs could be open to all, funnily, the priest or father..I know, bit obvious. But there are other folks who perform tasks in and around religious activities, buildings and folk who would have to have certain sex and religious properties...

 

Ie the guy who circumsize in the Jewish faith...

 

But, I think the job mentioned above could really be done by most folk, but if you are trying to comfort someone by using their religion then the comforter would have to be of similar mind...

 

But they may be asking for christian standards ie pius, honest and truthfull, in an ideal world. Also non judgemental and trustworthy..

 

They may have got the wordinfg a little wrong..

 

I do think nowadays that cash and ones position within the community are racing neck and neck with religion on the murder rates....

 

There are many lower and half caste folk in India disapearing...

 

But I do also think that religion has become about power and money....

 

One of the largest land owners in London is the church, I think they own alot of the promenant land in and around Westminster and Lambeth..

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