Would You Hire a Vocal Atheist?

[1journeyman]

The more I read this thread (and we're watching it closely to make sure it doesn't spiral downward, hehe) the more the question confuses me.
What exactly are "atheistic ideals"?

 

[beth]

It depends on what I was hiring the person for. If I was an administrator for a religious charity organization, representing, say, the Catholic Church, then I may not want a vocal atheist to represent the church in that job.
However, in other types of jobs, I see no problem at all. As long as their beliefs don't interfere with their job, then I really don't care. Now, if I saw something terribly inappropriate on the internet about a potential applicant, then that would obviously effect my decision. For instance, lets say the atheist was being terribly disrespectful to those of belief. Then, yes, my opinion would be effected and so would be my willingness to hire.
And that would go for a religious person as well.
And for that matter, people can not hide behind their internet anonymity either. With that in mind, all should be mindful of their conduct not only in real time life, but in their internet activities as well.

 

[garnet13aj]

since when did religious groups gain "minority" status
The way I used minority was not in reference to any kind of "stutus" but simply number wise. Compared to people of belief in the US, people of "secular belief" are much lower in number. It wasn't minority used in the sense of official recognition by the gov't.
"Atheistic ideals" would be someone discussing thier beliefs that God does not exists, had no part in the creation of the world or the creation of life. It's a basic concept, for the purpose of the poll it doesn't need to be picked apart.

 

[catawaba]

Originally Posted by watson3
You are saying that there are not alot of Liberals or people under 18..?
I consider myself prejudice towards many types of people..

No, I'm saying that I don't know who is what or where...and it doesn't matter. Your post could be inferred as your belief that there ARE a lot of 'liberals,' (which is a relative term) and persons under 18 on this site (which there may very well be) AND that the location listed (if any) has something to do with their beliefs.
What if they just moved there, for example?
Conservative vs. Liberal
Over 18 or not.
Geographic location.
None have anything to do with characterizing persons regarding their opinions about the poll question.
We all have opinions, and they are all valid.
It doesn't matter who you are, where you come from, where you are, or how old you are....
In my opinion.

 

[catawaba]

Originally Posted by watson3
I consider myself prejudice towards many types of people..
Well, at least you can admit it...even though it is seemingly apparent in your avatar.
It's all good. Short people make the tall people tall. Everything is relative.

 

[watson3]

Originally Posted by Catawaba
Short people make the tall people tall.
Alligators cannot run a zig zag pattern..I believe that life experiences give us the ability to be judgemental towards others..

 

[hagfish]

Just to clear a few things up.
Originally Posted by team2jndd
I just think its arrogant to say that the almighty god the one and only would only focus on us and forget the rest of the universe.
I don't know a single Christian who believes like this.
Originally Posted by team2jndd
I also think its funny that you wont let an atheist represent you but the almighty church found a few "less than decent" representitives. (Another example of how somebodys beliefs say nothing about their character).
Obviously, a Christian church wants Christian leaders. But we don't claim to know for sure whether or not someone else is truly a Christian. If someone is claiming that, then I would like to see their basis for believing they can do so, because it sure isn't in the Bible. Also, Christians are not perfect. Even the leaders sin. It's a constant struggle. Sometimes even the leaders commit very bad sins. It's unfortunate, but it happens. And it happened in the Bible too.
Originally Posted by team2jndd
However, when that faith becomes something more, problems arise. How many wars have been started over religion? Organized religion, in my eyes is way too political and way too dangerous.
It tends to be the radicals and extremists that start the wars. And to my knowledge it's been quite some time since a war was declared solely in the name of Christianity, although it has happened. I can tell you that our church hasn't harmed anyone that I know of since I've been there. And we have certainly done quite a bit of good through helping others. I personally have become a much more giving person since becoming a Christian. Somehow the good seems to get overlooked sometimes. For one thing, the media rarely points out the good. But if there's anything bad they will be all over it. But that is true with most things.

 

[fbm]

How much death and destruction can be blamed on religion and/or religious beliefs? As far as I am concerned I think athiests have the right idea. I was born and raised a protestant, then I had a son pass away due to cancer. It was then I took a hard look and realized there is no God or he wouldn't of let society get the way it has become. Why would he/she allow so much desctruction/death/suffering in his name. Why would anyone want to associate themselves with something or someone like that.
I would hire anyone I felt would do the best job. And I have done so, doesn't matter to me as long as he/she excells in given job. End of story.

 

[bang guy]

I'm surprised at the poll results. I would have thought very few would have chosen to judge a potential employee on their beliefs.
The reason I thought only a few would choose to judge is because I thought there would be 4 groups:
1 - Athiests
2 - People that live a religious life
3 - People that claim a religion but don't live it
4 - People that believe in Religion but are not really religious
I thought that only #3 would choose the second option. This is because they think of themselves as being religious but do not follow the teachings in their personal lives. They just want to appear to be religious to others and not really have to live the life. I thought this type of person would be in the minority.
Apparently there are more #3's around that I thought.
John 12:47
And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.

 

[1journeyman]

Good points Bang, but I think the poll is worded in such a way as to throw confusion in the mix.
I, for one, voted no. Having said that, I'd never ask an employee their religious beliefs. If they come to me and want to talk about it (which happens) then that's great.
In my mind, what I envisioned based on the wording of the poll, was stumbling across your typical youtube video with someone preaching a diatribe against the church. That would turn me off to that person. Not so much as to what they said, but more for the way they said it and the forum they chose to do it in.
We've discussed before the dangers of the internet and the perception that "anything goes" on it. What you see=what you get. People post and do crazy things because they think they can get away with it without any consequences.
Maybe it's just my imagination, but the image I have of atheist videos on youtube isn't a particularly positive one.

 

[watson3]

Originally Posted by 1journeyman
Maybe it's just my imagination, but the image I have of atheist videos on youtube isn't a particularly positive one.
Agreeed I saw the story about this on ABC last night, and it is a bunch of KIDS that are being influenced..Yes to you that are atheists, you are going to say that religion is based on influence..There is a difference in what is happening to these KIDS

 

[hagfish]

Originally Posted by fbm
How much death and destruction can be blamed on religion and/or religious
beliefs? As far as I am concerned I think athiests have the right idea. I was born and
raised a protestant, then I had a son pass away due to cancer. It was then I took a hard
look and realized there is no God or he wouldn't of let society get the way it has become.
Why would he/she allow so much desctruction/death/suffering in his name. Why would anyone
want to associate themselves with something or someone like that.
I would hire anyone I felt would do the best job. And I have done so, doesn't matter to me
as long as he/she excells in given job. End of story.
I am very sorry about your loss. I can't imagine going through something like that.
As for your comments about death/destruction/suffering in his name, I feel there is more to it than this. God doesn't control us like puppets. God doesn't want destruction/death/suffering and when it happens it typically isn't "in his name". Although there are times when he reprimands us. But it is ultimately for our own good, just like when a parent reprimands a child.
As for him letting society get the way it has, I again say that we are not his puppets or robots. It is His will that people follow His commands, which I doubt many would argue are good when followed correctly. But that doesn't mean he is going to force anyone to follow Him. People choose their own path, God never claims to force people into anything. And as it says in the Bible, God is light, but people love darkness.
It is just as easy for me to point out the wrong doings of non-believers and ask why anyone would want to be associated with that as it is for you to point out the wrongdoings of those who do believe (or say they do). So I fail to see how that is a valid point.

 

[watson3]

Very well said Hagfish

 

[catawaba]

Originally Posted by watson3
Alligators cannot run a zig zag pattern..I believe that life experiences give us the ability to be judgemental towards others..

Life experiences give us the ability to recognize other 'types' of people. Some may construe that as ability to judge.
I disagree.
What gives me the right to judge others? People are people and are all equal. Period.
Makes life a lot more simple in a complicated world. I don't have space to categorize people. I just put them all in a single category: People.

 

[watson3]

Originally Posted by Catawaba
People are people and are all equal.
When you are relying on the person next to you, and are in a life or death situation, I personally have made sure they believed in God..
"There are no atheists in a Foxhole"

 

[fbm]

Originally Posted by watson3
When you are relying on the person next to you, and are in a life or death situation, I personally have made sure they believed in God..
I was in the Navy, not everyone there believed in God.

 

[watson3]

Originally Posted by fbm
I was in the Navy, not everyone there believed in God.
And you did?

 

[fbm]

Originally Posted by hagfish
I am very sorry about your loss. I can't imagine going through something like that.
As for your comments about death/destruction/suffering in his name, I feel there is more to it than this. God doesn't control us like puppets. God doesn't want destruction/death/suffering and when it happens it typically isn't "in his name". Although there are times when he reprimands us. But it is ultimately for our own good, just like when a parent reprimands a child.
As for him letting society get the way it has, I again say that we are not his puppets or robots. It is His will that people follow His commands, which I doubt many would argue are good when followed correctly. But that doesn't mean he is going to force anyone to follow Him. People choose their own path, God never claims to force people into anything. And as it says in the Bible, God is light, but people love darkness.
It is just as easy for me to point out the wrong doings of non-believers and ask why anyone would want to be associated with that as it is for you to point out the wrongdoings of those who do believe (or say they do). So I fail to see how that is a valid point.

I most certainly didn't mean to imply that people are evil for believing what they believe. In fact my kids go to church and I make sure they do. The reason is simple. I made my own choices on what to believe and not believe. And as a parent I believe my children should be able to make there own decisions as well within reason. And how can they make a good choice when it comes to religion if they are never taught about it? Also it is not a bad life to lead, for the most part, even if there is no God.

 

[catawaba]

Originally Posted by watson3
When you are relying on the person next to you, and are in a life or death situation, I personally have made sure they believed in God..
"There are no atheists in a Foxhole"
Will that affect the outcome?

 

[fbm]

Originally Posted by watson3
And you did?

Yes, I did at that time.