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Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Interesting Job Opportunity
I haven't posted in while, but I've been lurking on this wonderful blog! I especially like the conversation on gender! Very interesting and a lot of great perspectives.

What do you ladies think about a job opportunity that would work in a Spiritual setting for ALL religons? The position would require a non-bias approach as well as an attitude that all religions are equal and right.

If you were considering this type of position, as an emerging Christian, what would excite you? What would give cause for concern? What do you think some of the challenges would be?

looking forward to reading your thoughts!
 
posted by Meg at 3:11 PM ¤ Permalink ¤


6 Comments:


  • At 6/13/2007 06:56:00 PM, Blogger Lydia

    Interesting idea.

    what would excite you?

    Being paid to develop close relationships with the leaders of other faiths (assuming that this was part of the job description).


    What would give cause for concern?

    It would depend on the organization that was paying me - there are some that I could work very well with. Others, not so much.

    To be specific, I'd be a little worried about their expectations.

    Would they expect the person holding that position to personally believe that all religions are equal and right? Or is it enough for them to "talk the talk" during working hours?

    If it's the former, they may have trouble finding a qualified candidate. The majority of the of the people I know believe that their religion (or lack thereof) is the "most" right path of them all.

    What do you think some of the challenges would be?

    Bad reactions from those Christians who would insist upon proselytizing in that situation (or rather they would insist upon *you* spending your working hours at that institution to try to convert others to Christianity).

     

  • At 6/13/2007 09:45:00 PM, Blogger Jemila Kwon

    During my clinical pastoral education training we functioned as the generic spiritual person, being whatever people needed us to be for the most part and trying to be sensitive to the spirit's leading. It was a powerful and interesting experience -- but although I was not there to prosyletize my own religion or judge someone else's, I was not required to believe that all religions are equal and right.

    I am more inclined to side with Pete Rollins when he says, 'I can't speak for other people's religions, but I am certain mine is wrong.'

     

  • At 6/14/2007 09:18:00 AM, Blogger Unknown

    Jemila,

    I agree "...I most certainly know mine is wrong." LOL

    I agree with Lydia's points. There would be some exciting ideas. My biggest fear would be the labels we can't get past, people honestly not being able to fully engage others without the heirarchy of our own beliefs.

    I think it would take a special personality to be able to "do" a job in that area. Maybe eventually, with so many of us trying to break down barriers, and hear other sides, hopefully we are much closer to these kinds of jobs.

     

  • At 6/14/2007 10:08:00 AM, Blogger Julie

    I think it could be a good experience. I would hope that one would be allowed to hold their own beliefs even while they worked in love and respect with others. It would be a stretch to always be vaguely spiritual, just the whole concept of speaking of God (for those that follow a God) - our Christian assumptions about God are very very different from Muslim or even Jewish ideas. Finding a common spiritual language could prove difficult (but in a good challenge sort of way).

     

  • At 6/15/2007 06:43:00 AM, Blogger Lori

    What a great question! I've thought of this occasionally when I fantasize about working back at my [decidedly unspiritual] alma mater... I'm intrigued with the idea of encouraging folks' spiritual journeys, trusting God's spirit to work in their hearts wherever they are.

    The other side to the coin is, though, that I love God in a profoundly real sense, and I know God in a distinctly Christian way. While my head may allow others space to follow their own path, my heart longs for them to know the joy (and chaos & challenge & struggle & peace & confusion, etc.) that I've found in a distinctively Christian God. I think that a position such as this one would create, in me, too profound a longing to ever be a long-term option.

     

  • At 6/15/2007 09:11:00 AM, Blogger Deb

    I would probably not take the position. I would be too annoyed by having to be "rc" (religiously correct) and not be able to express things in the faith paradigm that I believe. I would also not be totally comfortable allowing people to make unchallenged statements about their eternal destiny. (as in... "we all go to heaven if we live good lives") Not that I can tell you WHO is heaven-bound and who is not - I am not the Righteous Judge - And also not that everyone who thinks they have a ticket to heaven will get in (the parable of the sheep and the goats always humbles me.)

    It is possible to operate out of your own faith paradigm, hold your own faith values and beliefs, and be respected as a person and a fellow traveler, without giving up those beliefs. I would note that my kids, who attend a public school, have to do this every day.

    Where I would draw the line is if I were required to teach and/or talk about something that goes against my faith, such as universalism or to be asked to worship a god I do not believe in. I would also be uncomfortable if I were required to sign off on a particular political belief or platform. And I would most definitely NOT be willing to sign a statement of faith if it were not a church or other pastoral type of position.

    If I could be a person of authenticity and compassion within my faith paradigm, it would be an interesting job. :)

    Deb

     
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