Amethyst Posted February 26, 2008 Share Posted February 26, 2008 Today I went to fix the computer of this older couple who are friends of my parents. They paid me decently. The problem? Their church needs someone to fix their computers on an occasional basis. Now, I need money because I'm in-between contract jobs, but I'm real hesitant to work someplace I will probably be proselytized to. They're Catholic, IIRC. I have zero desire to be Catholic anytime soon. I have no problem doing personal one-on-one stuff, in fact, I really like it. And they know people who need help with their computer. I'm just real hesitant about the church thing, especially when I would have to stay majorly in the atheist closet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Knitterman Posted February 26, 2008 Share Posted February 26, 2008 Today I went to fix the computer of this older couple who are friends of my parents. They paid me decently. The problem? Their church needs someone to fix their computers on an occasional basis. Now, I need money because I'm in-between contract jobs, but I'm real hesitant to work someplace I will probably be proselytized to. They're Catholic, IIRC. I have zero desire to be Catholic anytime soon. I have no problem doing personal one-on-one stuff, in fact, I really like it. And they know people who need help with their computer. I'm just real hesitant about the church thing, especially when I would have to stay majorly in the atheist closet. You'd be hired as a computer technician or computer whatever. It is a professional position. It's not like they want you to serve as candle-lighter during religious services, right? They wouldn't likely proselytize the carpet cleaners who come soak up the carpet after the altar boy knocks over the baptismal font. (heaven only knows why he was running out of the church so fast!) You need the money, they need the computers fixed, and you have the benefit of an in-person recommendation as a professional. IF the issue comes up about your religion (and I doubt it would in a RC church, except casually) just say you were hired to work on the computer and being paid by the hour you don't want to cheat the church by non-computer talk. I don't think the Catholics are nearly as aggressive about such things as, say, the Baptists might be. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
par4dcourse Posted February 26, 2008 Share Posted February 26, 2008 Their money spends perfectly well. I can endure a lot of crap if the pay is good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MultifariousBirdLady Posted February 26, 2008 Share Posted February 26, 2008 Today I went to fix the computer of this older couple who are friends of my parents. They paid me decently. The problem? Their church needs someone to fix their computers on an occasional basis. Now, I need money because I'm in-between contract jobs, but I'm real hesitant to work someplace I will probably be proselytized to. They're Catholic, IIRC. I have zero desire to be Catholic anytime soon. I have no problem doing personal one-on-one stuff, in fact, I really like it. And they know people who need help with their computer. I'm just real hesitant about the church thing, especially when I would have to stay majorly in the atheist closet. I wouldn't assume that you would be proselytized to. I sometimes need to do "public involvement" with certain churches as part of my profession and those I've talked with never brought God up. The most they've said is "Merry Christmas" during the holiday season (in a kind-hearted I-assume-you're-Christian-because-I-don't-know-any-better way, not as an in-your-face AFA statement). They keep it professional and just talk about the practical issues we need to discuss. If you take the job and they *do* proselytize, perhaps you could simply stop and say that you will end your involvement and ask for payment for what you've done if they continue, and then they'll need to get someone else to finish. Getting an earful about Sky Daddy is not in your job description. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenny Posted February 26, 2008 Share Posted February 26, 2008 Their money spends perfectly well. I can endure a lot of crap if the pay is good. Gas is $3.14 a gallon. Last time I checked, groceries weren't free. Damn, it's cold outside - central air and heating is wonderful. Hellooooooo-oooooooooooo? Take the job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueGiant Posted February 26, 2008 Share Posted February 26, 2008 The RCC is pretty good about not Jesus bombing techs and the like in my experience, hell, they may take you out for drinks afterwards, depending. If nothing else, while they are paying you they definitely want you working, last I checked the Church wasn't big on wasting money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
white_raven23 Posted February 26, 2008 Share Posted February 26, 2008 Christians compromise themselves all the time for the sake of employment. There are likly girls writhing sensuously on poles who would ID themselves as christian if asked. Remember, they think atheists are evil, insideous, and without conscience. Take the job! Infiltrate! Your very atheism-ness can rub off onto their computers and taint everything worked up on them with rabid freethought! And they will PAY you for it! How can you possibly be moralizing about this? Atheists have no morals, remember? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GraphicsGuy Posted February 26, 2008 Share Posted February 26, 2008 Christians compromise themselves all the time for the sake of employment. My former boss...an absolute asshole that claimed hardcore Xianity...did lettering and signage for adult video stores and casinos without blinking an eye, yet purposely over-inflated quotes to religious organizations (other than Xian ones) in order to lose the bids and not be seen as "refusing service." Amethyst, taking this job probably wouldn't hurt at all. Catholics can be pretty tame. We just hear the worst of it through the news since the organization is such a giant. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenny Posted February 27, 2008 Share Posted February 27, 2008 Remember, they think atheists are evil, insideous, and without conscience. Take the job! Infiltrate! Your very atheism-ness can rub off onto their computers and taint everything worked up on them with rabid freethought! And they will PAY you for it! How can you possibly be moralizing about this? Atheists have no morals, remember? Nice. Well spoken. See, Amethyst? You're on a covert mission... a higher calling. You HAVE to take the job now!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShackledNoMore Posted February 27, 2008 Share Posted February 27, 2008 I agree that catholics are typically not really aggressive with proselytizing compared with a lot of sects. You might hear a casual mention of god here or there, but more as a matter of course than as an attempt to convert you. It's a lot harder to become a catholic than to join some other groups where you just have to say the right prayer or start attending and say you want to be a member. There's all sorts of classes and hassle and stuff. If I were in your place, I'd take the job (and the money) without worrying about things too much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RankStranger Posted February 27, 2008 Share Posted February 27, 2008 Based on my experience with Catholics... just tell them that you're a Protestant, and that'll be the end of the discussion. Their money is as good as anybody's, and even if they piss you off... you'll be free to leave at any time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amethyst Posted February 27, 2008 Author Share Posted February 27, 2008 Based on my experience with Catholics... just tell them that you're a Protestant, and that'll be the end of the discussion. Their money is as good as anybody's, and even if they piss you off... you'll be free to leave at any time. Well, AFAIK my parents' friends still think I'm Lutheran. So as long as I don't dissuade them of that notion, I should be okay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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