It's at a Presbyterian church, who's advertised in our local newspaper, for a secretarial position.
The reason I ask if it's weird, is because I consider myself mostly agnostic, with a strong interest in Wicca.
I can be respectful of another religion/beliefs and I can behave appropriately in a church position, so I'm wondering if I should still apply.
As far as being uncomfortable being surrounded by something I don't necessarily believe in, I believe I can handle it. The bottom line is is that I need a job. Ames doesn't have many Admin type positions ever open, and my experience level in that field isn't that strong. So I'm fairly limited to what/how many jobs I can apply for here (this includes Des Moines).
it probably wouldn't hurt to apply, but my guess is that they would sort of "expect" to see you at services.
I know that the catholic jobs here require you to follow things pretty closely. They don't hold your hand and drag you to mass, but if they find out you're on the pill/ live with an SO, do anything else they don't approve of you're as good as gone. I don't know much about protestantism of wiccan-ism (??) to know if there would be anything like that that would conflict...
I think that you might also want to consider the possibility that you won't just be working around something you don't necessarily believe in, but that 'converting' you could become a project of sorts for those you work with. If they're very determined you could potentially experience near-constant pressure to just come to service and see what you think, or come to a singles event they're hosting, or just come help pass out programs or something. Even though you can be respectful of them and they're beliefs, it doesn't necessarily mean that they will accept your boundaries.
Then again they could never say a word about coming to services and you could work there and be hunky dory for a long time. Who knows!
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I wouldn't do it. It's going to come up & I think it will be a factor in you getting the job, not to mention that if you do get it, you will be the focus of the judgemental looks all the time. You may be open minded to the beliefs of others but I just think if you work in the office of a church they may not feel the same.
ETA: I'd feel this way no matter what kind of church you applied to & if you subscribed to any other religion than the one where you'd be working. Just clarifying that it isn't a stab at any religious group in particular.
-- Edited by laken1 at 12:13, 2006-05-08
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laken1 wrote: I wouldn't do it. It's going to come up & I think it will be a factor in you getting the job, not to mention that if you do get it, you will be the focus of the judgemental looks all the time.
hmmm, legallythough they aren't allowed to ask, right? for equal opportunity or something like that? They might try to be sneaky and figure it out another way though. And it will most definatly come up in conversation if you got the job... The more I think about it, the more I think it may just be awkward for everyone.
I don't think you should bother applying. I think I know church politics pretty well and would be willing to guess they want "one of their own," you know? But hey, nothing ventured, nothing gained; and no harm, no foul, and all that! It can't hurt to apply.
hmmm, legallythough they aren't allowed to ask, right? for equal opportunity or something like that? They might try to be sneaky and figure it out another way though. And it will most definatly come up in conversation if you got the job... The more I think about it, the more I think it may just be awkward for everyone.
I don't think this applies to churches...if you think about it, it doesn't make sense for a church (or any other non-profit, for that matter) to be forced to hire someone who doesn't agree with their mission. Most churches don't hire non-Christians - my church actually almost always only hires people from within our congragation or the group of congregations to which we belong. I don't think it would hurt for you to apply, but know that you might not have a very great chance of getting the job. On the other hand, if they advertised in the paper, that may mean they're willing to hire anyone who's qualified, regardless of personal beliefs.
I think you should apply. Why not? My church hires different people from the community, although they may ask you about your religion or faith during the interview, it isn't always adeath knell if you're of a different faith or mindset. It could be a great experience!! Go For It!!
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