NationStates Jolt Archive


Is thrusty hypocritical?

UpwardThrust
27-10-2006, 13:07
Just thinking about this

Maybe I am just tired from pulling a night shift but anyways here it goes.

Most of you know my stance on religion around here, while I have traveled the path from agnostic to full blow atheist over the last few years I have been a long time strong anti-organized religion (don’t get me wrong not necessarily anti faith even if I cant take something on faith myself)

But it may shock you for the last ohhh 8 years or so I have worked for a catholic nursing home (Did a variety of jobs there and now just do part time HIPAA compliance consulting for their data servers)

Do you think it silly or hypocritical of me to work for an openly religious organization? Being of a faith I really don’t care for

Just figured I would see what your thoughts were on the subject

Also on a side note I have to mention how silly their motto has always seemed to me

“All shall be treated as Christ” is their motto

Does it seem weird that they want you to treat the elderly as badly as Christ was treated? (at least in the story) I mean that is how he was SUPPOSED to be treated… that was his whole purpose, to be sacrificed.

Anyways rambling lol
Ifreann
27-10-2006, 13:10
I don't think it is. Why quit a job because the people running the place don't think like you?

Oh, and that is a failure of a motto. If it was 'Treat All As Christ Would', then it might be somewhat better.
New Burmesia
27-10-2006, 13:15
No, it isn't. Job's a job.
Lunatic Goofballs
27-10-2006, 13:32
Hey, Thrust. I think you know my stance on religion too. Speaking thus, I enjoy watching you spar with brainwashed religious types. It makes me happy. :) As long as you keep in mind that there's a difference between faith and religion(and so far, you have), then I don't have any problem with your stance and I don't find it hypocritical at all. :)
UpwardThrust
27-10-2006, 13:38
Hey, Thrust. I think you know my stance on religion too. Speaking thus, I enjoy watching you spar with brainwashed religious types. It makes me happy. :) As long as you keep in mind that there's a difference between faith and religion(and so far, you have), then I don't have any problem with your stance and I don't find it hypocritical at all. :)

Thank ya man … I don’t have a problem with those with faith or faith in general. I find you and smukee and depublicants some of the best and coolest people around along with a tone of others.

I just don’t like blind faith specially when so often the faith is placed on what other HUMANS are telling them rather then what their heart tells them. Too easy to control people like that. Just too uncomfortable trusting someone that claims to know something about what you should put faith in but because of its very nature can not be shown or proven or verified, you then are trusting what someone else is saying about what you should believe when they can not really show you any evidence for first hand perusal
Rubiconic Crossings
27-10-2006, 13:42
Good stuff matey!!!

The thing is you do get the brainwashed mythologists who cannot comprehend that even people without 'faith' are moral.

You are proving them wrong by your actions.

Keep up the good work!
NERVUN
27-10-2006, 13:43
I just don’t like blind faith specially when so often the faith is placed on what other HUMANS are telling them rather then what their heart tells them. Too easy to control people like that. Just too uncomfortable trusting someone that claims to know something about what you should put faith in but because of its very nature can not be shown or proven or verified, you then are trusting what someone else is saying about what you should believe when they can not really show you any evidence for first hand perusal
Um... Thrust... isn't that what faith MEANS?

Anywho, no, I don't think it's hypocritcal of you. Now if you told them you are joining or share their faith to get your job, THEN it would be, but working for a Catholic nursing home doesn't make you a hypocrite in your views than me bashing President Bush while an American. ;)
Lunatic Goofballs
27-10-2006, 13:48
Um... Thrust... isn't that what faith MEANS?

Not necessarily. Far too many people all over the world put far too little faith in their god, and far too much faith in clergy and specially prepared texts.
NERVUN
27-10-2006, 13:56
Not necessarily. Far too many people all over the world put far too little faith in their god, and far too much faith in clergy and specially prepared texts.
I agree most wholeheartedly there, I'm just confused as to UT's take on it as he says he dislikes something that cannot be proven, but is ok with faith. But since faith can't be proven, shouldn't they cancle each other out? :confused:

Or have I been working too bloody long on this stupid agp440.sys hang up and it's too damn late in Japan?
Smunkeeville
27-10-2006, 14:02
I don't think you are a hypocrite, a hypocrite would be someone who said that they think that all people deserve help and then letting someone die in front of you because you didn't like the kind of shoes they had.

I don't think you get to be a hypocrite for helping people.

However, everytime I have worked for a church or a church run place one of the interview questions has been about when I became a Christian.....you didn't have that question and lie right?
Laerod
27-10-2006, 14:03
I did my year of social service in working for a catholic social institution. Interestinly enough, we only had one catholic in the team, and she was lesbian. Two of us were protestant, one catholic registered as a protestant, one muslim, and me, the token agnostic.
Philosopy
27-10-2006, 14:08
I think this thread needs a poll.

And no, I don't think you're hypocritical, assuming you didn't lie about your faith to get the job.
UpwardThrust
27-10-2006, 14:47
Um... Thrust... isn't that what faith MEANS?

Anywho, no, I don't think it's hypocritcal of you. Now if you told them you are joining or share their faith to get your job, THEN it would be, but working for a Catholic nursing home doesn't make you a hypocrite in your views than me bashing President Bush while an American. ;)

There is a different having faith in something unknowable is one thing ... having faith in what someone else or some oganization says is another
UpwardThrust
27-10-2006, 14:50
I agree most wholeheartedly there, I'm just confused as to UT's take on it as he says he dislikes something that cannot be proven, but is ok with faith. But since faith can't be proven, shouldn't they cancle each other out? :confused:

Or have I been working too bloody long on this stupid agp440.sys hang up and it's too damn late in Japan?

I have worked the last 40 hours ... what I ment is what lunie said :)
UpwardThrust
27-10-2006, 14:51
I think this thread needs a poll.

And no, I don't think you're hypocritical, assuming you didn't lie about your faith to get the job.

They never actualy asked ... I have been working there in different capacities sense I was 16 ... not entirly sure what I would have answered then even if they asked lol
Ashmoria
27-10-2006, 15:39
im going to start with a disclaimer.

i dont look for hypocrisy, i dont worry about other people's hypocrisy especially if i have to look at fine nuances of possible hypocrisy. i would never even think about this if you didnt ask for it. it certainly isnt screamingly obviously hypocritical.

no you shouldnt be working there. your job supports a catholic institution. youre not just an atheist, you are man who has rejected the catholic church. why are you holding a job that supports the church?

(unless i have you mixed up with someone else, in which case you have my profound apology)

and if i DO have you mixed up with someone else, its not hypocritical, just mildly puzzling.
UpwardThrust
27-10-2006, 15:43
im going to start with a disclaimer.

i dont look for hypocrisy, i dont worry about other people's hypocrisy especially if i have to look at fine nuances of possible hypocrisy. i would never even think about this if you didnt ask for it. it certainly isnt screamingly obviously hypocritical.

no you shouldnt be working there. your job supports a catholic institution. youre not just an atheist, you are man who has rejected the catholic church. why are you holding a job that supports the church?

(unless i have you mixed up with someone else, in which case you have my profound apology)

and if i DO have you mixed up with someone else, its not hypocritical, just mildly puzzling.
I understand. And as such remember there is no monitory transfer of funds actually back to the church whatsoever . The home was founded by nuns originally but is actually owned by a non faith focused non profit organization that does not have ties in and of itself back to the church.

And you do not have me confused with anyone else
Not bad
27-10-2006, 15:59
Of course you are a little bit hypocritical, but it just means you are human. We all are. If one of us is ever born and grows and lives completely without hypocrisy it will be an immeasurable tragedy that Plato lived thousands of years too soon to meet him. On the plus side if you can tolerate working under a charitable church's umbrella then it helps out the oldsters in the home. And that is hopefully a shared desire of yourself and the church.
Ashmoria
27-10-2006, 16:06
I understand. And as such remember there is no monitory transfer of funds actually back to the church whatsoever . The home was founded by nuns originally but is actually owned by a non faith focused non profit organization that does not have ties in and of itself back to the church.

And you do not have me confused with anyone else

oh well then, if its not connected to the church, there is no hypocrisy involved. being an agnostic or an atheist doesnt require you to be opposed to religion or religiously run businesses. it would be unkind to deny them your services because they were founded by an organization you have a problem with.
Grave_n_idle
27-10-2006, 16:08
Just thinking about this

Maybe I am just tired from pulling a night shift but anyways here it goes.

Most of you know my stance on religion around here, while I have traveled the path from agnostic to full blow atheist over the last few years I have been a long time strong anti-organized religion (don’t get me wrong not necessarily anti faith even if I cant take something on faith myself)

But it may shock you for the last ohhh 8 years or so I have worked for a catholic nursing home (Did a variety of jobs there and now just do part time HIPAA compliance consulting for their data servers)

Do you think it silly or hypocritical of me to work for an openly religious organization? Being of a faith I really don’t care for

Just figured I would see what your thoughts were on the subject

Also on a side note I have to mention how silly their motto has always seemed to me

“All shall be treated as Christ” is their motto

Does it seem weird that they want you to treat the elderly as badly as Christ was treated? (at least in the story) I mean that is how he was SUPPOSED to be treated… that was his whole purpose, to be sacrificed.

Anyways rambling lol

No, my friend, this is not hypocrisy.

You are against organised religion... okay. You have good issues with the Catholic faith as exemplified by certain individuals... okay.

That doesn't mean you can't work WITH a Catholic to do a good thing, or a necessary thing. That doesn't mean you can't HELP a Catholic when they need your help.. It doesn't even mean you can't help Catholics - in general.


Everyone knows my stance - but I'll attend my daughter's church for a play she's in, or I'll help out at her school for a 'religious' event. Why? Because I believe that a separation between church and state is something greater than just the relationship between government and religions.

As Jesus said, the whole 'Render unto Caesar' thing - divide our world into two spheres - what is 'church' and what is 'state'... or what is 'Caesar' and what is 'god'.

What you are doing, is 'state'... you are helping people. You are doing a job. That isn't hypocritical.
UpwardThrust
27-10-2006, 16:09
oh well then, if its not connected to the church, there is no hypocrisy involved. being an agnostic or an atheist doesnt require you to be opposed to religion or religiously run businesses. it would be unkind to deny them your services because they were founded by an organization you have a problem with.

And I started when I was not as sure in my beliefs as I am now ... they pay me good to do on call sort of data work nowadays ... way too good of money
I have not had to do it in months thats why when I pulled an all nighter last night it kind of sprang into my mind

(I make a minimum of 2000 a consultation ... usualy about 30 or 40 hours)
UpwardThrust
27-10-2006, 16:11
No, my friend, this is not hypocrisy.

You are against organised religion... okay. You have good issues with the Catholic faith as exemplified by certain individuals... okay.

That doesn't mean you can't work WITH a Catholic to do a good thing, or a necessary thing. That doesn't mean you can't HELP a Catholic when they need your help.. It doesn't even mean you can't help Catholics - in general.


Everyone knows my stance - but I'll attend my daughter's church for a play she's in, or I'll help out at her school for a 'religious' event. Why? Because I believe that a separation between church and state is something greater than just the relationship between government and religions.

As Jesus said, the whole 'Render unto Caesar' thing - divide our world into two spheres - what is 'church' and what is 'state'... or what is 'Caesar' and what is 'god'.

What you are doing, is 'state'... you are helping people. You are doing a job. That isn't hypocritical.

Thanks my friend I was wondering where you would stand being your beliefs overall are simmilar to mine
Grave_n_idle
27-10-2006, 16:22
Thanks my friend I was wondering where you would stand being your beliefs overall are simmilar to mine

I've had the same sort of thought process, so I can relate.

In the end, I decided I can't 'preach' that we should allow individual faith to be a personal choice, and then allow myself to discriminate against those who make the 'leap of faith'.

Now, if they were asking you to witness for them, or hand out tracts or something, that might be different.
UpwardThrust
27-10-2006, 16:24
I've had the same sort of thought process, so I can relate.

In the end, I decided I can't 'preach' that we should allow individual faith to be a personal choice, and then allow myself to discriminate against those who make the 'leap of faith'.

Now, if they were asking you to witness for them, or hand out tracts or something, that might be different.

Naw I used to do security for them now I just do database security compliance
Smunkeeville
27-10-2006, 16:24
I've had the same sort of thought process, so I can relate.

In the end, I decided I can't 'preach' that we should allow individual faith to be a personal choice, and then allow myself to discriminate against those who make the 'leap of faith'.

Now, if they were asking you to witness for them, or hand out tracts or something, that might be different.

exactly, well, inverse, how I tried to explain my non-indoctrination to someone...how can I fight for my freedom to believe as I feel is right and at the same time tell my kids they can't search the world to find what they believe?
Grave_n_idle
27-10-2006, 16:27
exactly, well, inverse, how I tried to explain my non-indoctrination to someone...how can I fight for my freedom to believe as I feel is right and at the same time tell my kids they can't search the world to find what they believe?

I've already commented a number of times, I think, about how I raise my 'lil girl... she goes to church, etc... because, as you say: "how can I fight for my freedom to believe as I feel is right and at the same time tell my kids they can't search the world to find what they believe?".

At least this is ONE conclusion that can be reached equally from either side of the trenches. :)
Jello Biafra
27-10-2006, 16:30
I don't think you're a hypocrite. If you are, you're less so than I am. I work for a capitalist but don't think there should be any capitalists, whereas to my knowledge you've never said that Catholic nursing homes shouldn't exist.
Demented Hamsters
27-10-2006, 17:58
It'd be hypocritical of me not to call you hypocritical.
Yet, hypocritically, that is exactly what I am not going to do.
UpwardThrust
27-10-2006, 23:04
It'd be hypocritical of me not to call you hypocritical.
Yet, hypocritically, that is exactly what I am not going to do.

My brain hurts
Utracia
27-10-2006, 23:18
There are plenty of people who work for religious organizations but are not particularly religious themselves. It doesn't really matter.
Ebri
27-10-2006, 23:22
It'd be hypocritical if you preached the religion or tried to convert others. As far as I can tell, you're just using that religious organization as means to help others. Nothing wrong with that.
Grave_n_idle
28-10-2006, 14:21
It'd be hypocritical if you preached the religion or tried to convert others. As far as I can tell, you're just using that religious organization as means to help others. Nothing wrong with that.

And, if Ebri and I agree, it must be true.

Or we have about 30 seconds until the Second Coming...