Promotion = Selling Out?
Offline So, I'm working at a new place and will meet my 3 month probation period in about 3 weeks. At that time, I'm going to try to convince the manager that I'd be perfect for the foreman's position and, without going into much detail, I think I've got a pretty good chance at getting it.
For the last month I have been taking notes about the company and preparing a presentation to show my manager, and talking, discreetly, to other employees about current operations, company structure, history, former and current projects, etc. I say, "discreetly", because I don't want to spread it around that I, as the new guy, am trying to go over their heads so early in my employment at this company, in case it doesn't work out with the manager, and then have THAT stigma attached to me for as long as I'm still empoyed there.
I digress.
One of the employees I wasa talking to today mentioned that the upper eschelon of this company are quite religious. Like, they all know each other from church and stuff. Now, I don't have a problem working for religious people, but it occured to me that they may have a problem with ME as a non-religious (to say the least) person working in the management circles. I actually had to ask myself if I could lie and say that I was "just a bad christian that hasn't gone to church in WAY too long," or, if I should square my shoulders and say, in a calm soothing voice, "no, I'm a heathen, miscreant, blasphemous non-believer whom thinks that you all are brain damaged sociopaths for spouting that childish nonsense FAR past the time when normal adults think it should be cute." Well, maybe just, "No, I don't believe in God."
Now, I'm sure the subject will likely not even come up, and if it does, I'll just use some creative diplomacy that doesn't answer the question at all, but I became curious...
How many people would lie about their beliefs in order to get promoted? Or to get a job in the first place? Or just to get ahead in any way? How many of our atheists here would rather maintain their status quo than B.S. about their level of "faith" in a creator? What level of "selling out" is acceptable to you? Is saying "God bless you" at a chance sneeze worth a fatter wallet? Greater job satisfaction? Sex? A beer?
Robb
"The general opinion is not always the perfect truth..."
- Giordano Bruno
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I would seriously hope that these people aren't the type to base a promotion to you on your religious outlook. I have to say that I don't think I could lie about it but I guess it would depend on how much you needed this promotion. Now if they started inviting me to church like some people so blindly do I would definately have to tell them if they couldn't take no for an answer. They're aren't suppose to do it but I have heard of people being fired over their religious outlook. Hou'llopefully in your case these people can have the understanding that not everyone believes in the same things they do. Anyway, good luck and hopefully you'll get the promotion.
edit: people that were fired of course are given other reasons for it
If all the Christians who have called other Christians " not really a Christian " were to vanish, there'd be no Christians left.
Hmmm.....
I have not been hired because I refused to "profess a relationship with Jesus". It was a Presbyterian college, but I was applying for an IT support position, not instructor or counselor or anything.
The conversation went something like - "do you have a relationship with Jesus?" "I was baptized Lutheran." "Okay, but will you witness for Jesus?" "I believe in speaking about my religious beliefs only in the home." "Okay, but do you profess to have a relationship with Jesus?" "I was baptized Lutheran." "We'll get back to you." Of course, they never did. I kind of wanted the job - we were rather short and the pay was pretty good.
I have walked into a manager's office for an interview and they had a picture of a traditionally Catholic Mother Mary on the wall. I didn't want the job and said sorry to waste your time.
So the furthest I will go is to tell the truth - partially. I was baptized Lutheran as an adult many years ago. I try to not discuss religion at work, not ever. Since I do IT support, I need the users to view me with something approaching acceptance. I'm already the princess of Heck just being IT and therefore, responsible for half of the world's ills. I see no reason to encourage them to get out the pitchforks and torches.
-- I feel so much better since I stopped trying to believe.
"We are entitled to our own opinions. We're not entitled to our own facts"- Al Franken
"If death isn't sweet oblivion, I will be severely disappointed" - Ruth M.
I just started a new job about a month ago. While I was fairly outspoken at the last job I was clearly on friendlier turf. I can tell that I'm in somewhat hostile territory in the new job, but I'll hold my ground. I don't need to sell it, but I won't be pushed around.
"Faith, Faith is an island in the setting sun,
but proof, proof is the bottom line for everyone."
Proof, Paul Simon
Nothing this hard should taste so beefy.
If I were you, I'd be quiet about it, and if someone asked, I might just say I'm not a religious person and leave it like that.
“Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid.”
This is part of the reason I want to be successful on my own so I never have to worry about offending others particularities. There is nothing more disgusting to me than having to hold my tongue because I'm afraid of offending someones sensibilities when it comes to their religious belief. I've mentioned in another post before how I deal with religious questions when they pop, which is rare. I just play the fool and act as though I don't understand. The last time it went something like this:
Employee: Do you believe in god?
Me: I'm not sure what you mean.
Employee: (Points to sky) You know GOD!
Me: I don't see anything, you mean aliens?
Employee: No, I mean jesus the son of god and his father.
Me: Oh you mean like the Greeks gods Zeus, that stuff. Like Clash of the Titans?
Etc...
This pointless conversation went on for about 2 mins and ended in laughter. So essentially I didn't SELL OUT or have to compromise my beliefs I just played the fool. I do this for a number of reasons partly because I know If I ever really said what I thought I would it would spread through the workplace like wild fire and probably result in me getting fired, second reason is it's fun to fuck with people... lol.
This is why I love China.
Even most of the religious people won't discriminate against atheists, and for the most part I can share comical anecdotes about religion and everybody within earshot can laugh about it since almost nobody is religious.
Also the booming economy with no shortage of opportunities for anybody with some ambition.
I'll probably be going to Europe for a few months at the end of November; that's going to be weird.
When necessary, I'm rather like CJ; I'll tell the truth without volunteering more, and let people make assumptions. I won't tell a lie.
All I can say is that I wouldn't do it for money, but I also consider working for money to be a form of intellectual prostitution. I do what I want to do, and if somebody wants to give me money (which I try to make very clear is optional), I'll say thanks and accept it as a gift- icing on the cake. So far it has worked out.